Business Moves

Apex Global, Benefit Partners

Apex Global Partners Inc. acquired Benefit Partners and subsidiaries BP Life and Health Insurance Agency, Benefit Partners Financial Services, BP Risk Partners Insurance Agency and Benesystems.

Apex Global said Benefit Partners and its subsidiaries together comprise one of the nation’s leading employee benefit brokers and human resources consultants, and is one of the largest privately owned firms of its kind in Texas and the Southwest.

Chris Merlo, Vicki Davis, Colin McNeese, Mike Scheidegger and the Benefit Partners professional team are joining Apex Global. Merlo and Davis will continue in their respective roles as president and executive vice president of the Benefits Partners Division of Apex, the announcement said.

Based in Dallas, Apex Global Partners is a domestic and international insurance brokerage serving corporate clients. It also provides employee benefits and human resources consulting. Apex works with more than 60 partners in 55 countries through its participation in the insurance broker network WBN Ltd.

America First Insurance

Richardson, Texas-based America First Insurance, a Liberty Mutual Agency Markets regional company, announced it has opened a regional office in Oklahoma City.

With approximately $70 million in combined personal and commercial lines premium in Oklahoma, the company’s new office at 14000 Quail Springs Parkway will serve primarily as an underwriting operation with a staff of twelve employees, and the expectation of adding additional personnel in the coming months.

Regional Vice President Michael Hughes leads the staff in their goal of meeting the emerging needs of the Oklahoma marketplace while growing premium and the agency force in the state.

America First Insurance is the first carrier to open an office in Oklahoma in more than a decade. The company offers personal and commercial property and casualty products in Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.

Gibraltar Group, Kroll

The Gibraltar Group, Lubbock, Texas, is partnering with risk consulting firm Kroll, to provide comprehensive background screening services to The Gibraltar Group’s customers.

The Gibraltar Group’s customers will receive direct access to Kroll’s range of services, which are designed to help protect assets, decrease claims and lower loss ratios for commercial insurance providers and their customers.

Kroll’s 2007 Hit Ratio Report and Industry Analysis revealed that in addition to large corporations, smaller companies are increasingly recognizing that hiring risks exist regardless of their size. The study, located at www.kroll.com/about/library/hit_ratio/, also indicated that small and large businesses are starting to see potential hiring risks at every level of an organization and are implementing background screening on all employees, as well as temporary employees, vendors and consultants.

The Gibraltar Group’s customers will have access to all services of the Background Screening Division of Kroll, including its substance abuse testing and related offerings.

Combined Group, Swiss Re

Dallas-based The Combined Group has teamed up with Swiss Re’s North American Capacity Insurance Company to offer a comprehensive employers indemnity (CEI) program.

The CEI program is designed for employers that nonsubscribe their Texas-based occupational injury exposures. The Combined Group has written more than $2.1 billion in workers’ compensation equivalent nonsubscription premiums and adjusted more than 44,000 since 1989.

The Combined Group’s CEI program is underwritten by North American Capacity Insurance Company, with an A.M. Best rating of “A+” XV.

The CEI facility provides employers with medical and liability limits up to $25 million and best-in-market indemnity periods up to 260 weeks.

Combined Group’s CEI product makes available employee sub-limit options and provides broad legal indemnity to nonsubscribing companies.

Garrett Insurance, CAA

Garrett Insurance Agency Inc. has joined Texas-based Combined Agents of America LLC (CAA) as its 36th member agency.

Garrett Insurance Agency was established in Kerrville, Texas, in 1918 by W. G. Garrett Jr. and L. D. Garrett.

Ninety years later, the agency is led by Robert L. Schmerbeck III and Stephen R. Schmerbeck, third and fourth generation members of the Garrett family.

The agency serves Texas hill country residents with personal and business insurance products.

ASI Lloyds

ASI Lloyds (ASI), a subsidiary of Florida-based American Strategic Insurance Corp. and an admitted Louisiana insurer, has launched an investor, rental and seasonal dwelling policy for Louisiana properties, in addition to its current homeowners offering.

ASI opened for business in Louisiana on April 30, 2008, and now offers two personal property products through independent agents in the state.

ASI said its product expansion will fill a current void by offering coverage to homeowners, investors, seasonal residents, rental properties and even owners of homes under construction.

ASI is a multi-state carrier offering homeowners and other property insurance in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Colorado and Arizona. The company currently holds licenses in 11 other states and has plans to expand nationally in the future.

In December 2007, ASI was upgraded to A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best.

USAA

San Antonio-based USAA expanded its membership eligibility to include: military retirees, regardless of when they retired; military personnel who were honorably discharged on or after Jan. 1, 1996; and widows or widowers of military personnel killed in action while eligible.

After they join, spouses and children of the above may also be eligible for membership.

USAA began as an officer-only association in 1922, opened to enlisted personnel in 1996, and today serves 6.4 million current and former military members and their families. USAA offers services for military families, providing them with insurance, investments and banking products, as well as financial planning and advice.