Business Moves

Zenith AgriBusiness Solutions

In what appears to be its first foray into offering liability coverages, Zenith Insurance Co., a workers’ compensation insurance specialist, is offering agribusiness insurance in California. Through its AgriBusiness Solutions Division, the company is providing:

• Commercial property coverage to protect the physical assets of agricultural businesses;
• Commercial general liability to protect businesses from the cost of defending themselves or paying damages if a third-party claims an agribusiness caused them bodily harm and/or damaged their property; and
• Commercial auto policies for agricultural operations, from small business vehicles to heavy duty trucks, as well as private passenger vehicles owned by the farm or business.

Zenith indicated that farm insurance and ranch insurance will be available at a future date. Additionally, in February the company submitted a rate filing with the California Department of Insurance for umbrella/excess coverage, and is awaiting approval.

Products will be sold exclusively through local independent insurance agents “with deep roots in California agriculture,” in target areas such as wineries, farm supply stores, commercial nurseries, farm managers, bean warehouses, nut hullers, commercial farms, and many more markets.

Zenith AgriBusiness Solutions division’s staff includes management, underwriting and claims personnel, and is being led by Executive Vice President Craig Thomson (formerly of Allied/Nationwide) out of the company’s Roseville, Calif., office.

“This is a diversification play,” said Jan Frank, president and chief operating officer for the company. “While we’re a very strong workers’ comp company, it’s a way to round out the business by offering a complement to what customers need. There are synergies around marketing and expertise.”

She noted that the company is experienced in agribusiness insurance, as Stanley Zax, CEO and chairman, previously served as president of CalFarm Insurance Co.

Zenith National Insurance Corp. is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd., and is the holding company for Zenith Insurance Co. The company specializes in workers’ compensation insurance in 45 states and the District of Columbia. It is the seventh-largest workers’ comp writer in California and is rated “A” by A.M. Best.

Encircle Insurance, ISU Network

Encircle Insurance Services joined ISU International. ISU Encircle Insurance Services owners Paul and Dori Caccamise together bring more than 50 years of experience as commercial and employee benefits brokers. Their six-employee office specializes in small artisan contractor tradesmen, restaurants and health accounts.

S.H. Smith & Co.

S.H. Smith & Co. Inc., a wholesaler and managing general agent, expanded its market presence into the West by opening an office in the Northwest.

S.H. Smith & Co. has been a general agent for Zurich’s Programs business since 2007 and underwrites Zurich’s charter bus program.

S.H. Smith & Co.’s program profile has expanded to all states, except Massachusetts and Hawaii, and its appetite in the public auto market includes not only motor charter operators but also school bus contractors, limousines fleets and other related public livery, such as employee shuttles and social service autos.

The Wright Group Services, Haylor Freyer and Coon

The Wright Group Services purchased select assets of the Haylor Freyer and Coon (HFC) office located in Colorado. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Haylor, Freyer & Coon Inc. closed its Broomfield, Colo., office on April 1. That was the last branch physically located outside New York to be closed.

HF&C, which services medium to large commercial lines property/casualty clients, will service its clientele from its headquarters located in Syracuse, N.Y. Mike Dribnak, who leads the HFC Colorado team along with his associates, will join The Wright Group team and continue to locate in Colorado.

Haylor, Freyer & Coon is an independent agency with 200 employees.

Headquartered in Denver, The Wright Group Services is an insurance brokerage that provides risk management, benefits and retirement solutions throughout the Rocky Mountain Region, the western U.S. and Canada.