· Zurich announced its agreement to become the underwriter for World Wide Specialty Programs, the recognized market leader in providing insurance services for the staffing industry for more than 40 years.
· Markel Corporation acquired THOMCO, a privately held program administrator underwriting multi-line, industry-focused insurance programs. THOMCO manages over 20 national programs including Medical Transportation, Senior Living, Childcare Centers, Fitness Clubs, Pest Control Operators, Tanning Salons and Inflatable Rental Operators, among others.
· Program administrator Mainstay Insurance Group rebranded as Fulcrum Insurance Programs, and launched several new products and services, including: Fulcrum for Hotels/Resorts, Fulcrum for Casinos, an expansion of its habitational market, an expansion of its Umbrella program, a new web-based Risk Management Center platform, and more.
· 123ocp.com, an on-line platform providing easy access to Owners and Contractors Protective Liability (OCP) and Railroad Protective Liability coverages, added Project-Specific Pollution Liability for contractors.
· Crump Insurances Services launched several new and expanded programs, including: a nationwide Homeowners Insurance program with coverage for risks with animals, trampoline, and unprotected pools; an expanded RoadsideMASTERS program through 5Star Specialty, to include bus and waste hauler vehicles; Owner's Protective Indemnity Coverage (OPPI), which provides professional liability coverage and insures the owner as opposed to the design team; and Build-Sure General Liability, coverage for operations in the manufacture, assembly, or distribution of manufactured homes and buildings used as dwellings, offices, and other occupancies including ancillary trades.
· NSM Insurance Group's Express Hotel Program launched a program providing property coverage for accounts that are hit with an infestation of bed bugs. The endorsement is designed to pay costs to get rid of bed bugs, up to a total of $5,000 per year.
· Victor O. Schinnerer & Company’s Real Estate Errors & Omissions Program has been chosen by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) as a new offering for its members through the REALTOR Benefits® Program.
· NAS Insurance Services launched a program for Medical Billers and Coders. The E&O program includes: coverage for third party claims arising out of a wrongful act in the performance of or failure to perform medical billing and Coding Services; MEDEFENSE™ Plus provides coverage for defense costs and fines and penalties from governmental and private payor allegations of improper billing (including RAC & ZPIC Audits); NetGuard™ Plus provides coverage for Network Security and Privacy Liability, Customer Notification and Credit Monitoring Expenses, Regulatory Fines and Penalties, Data Recovery Costs, and Multimedia Liability.
· Five Star HealthcareTM, a division of Crump Insurance Services, Inc., launched a new insurance program for Senior Living Facilities. The program, offered through an A.M. Best A XV rated carrier, is targeted to senior living operations such as independent and assisted living facilities, including those with limited skilled nursing exposures.
· Professional Program Insurance Brokerage (PPIB) launched several new programs, including a national program for yoga-related business, coverage for weight loss centers, and a program for artisan contractors.
· Sloan Mason, which specializes in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance for energy, marine, environmental and heavy industrial accounts, expanded into Latin American facultative reinsurance business in January 2011.