Business Moves

October 3, 2011

McLarens, Washington Oregon Claim Service

McLarens Young International has acquired Washington Oregon Claim Service, a middle market claims adjusting firm in the Pacific Northwest.

The acquisition is Atlanta-based MYI’s first step into the U.S. middle market.

Seattle-based WOCS joins the MYI group of companies as a wholly owned subsidiary. The management team and adjusting staff at WOCS will remain the same.

BB&T, Liberty Benefit in California

BB&T Insurance Services is acquiring San Jose-based Liberty Benefit Insurance Services. Liberty will operate as BB&T-Liberty Benefit Insurance Services.

The acquisition adds 25 employees to BB&T Insurance Services, BB&T said.

BB&T Insurance Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Winston-Salem, N.C.-based financial services holding company BB&T Corp.

U.S. Risk, American Special Risk of California

Woodland Hills, Calif.-based American Special Risk Insurance Services has been acquired by managing general agency and surplus line wholesaler U.S. Risk Insurance Group Inc., based in Dallas.

American Special Risk is a managing general agent for professional liability and miscellaneous healthcare risks.

American Special Risk Insurance Services will become a subsidiary of U.S. Risk of California Inc.

Alteris, S.N. Potter

Alteris Inc., a services provider for the managing general agency community, has acquired the operating assets of winery insurance specialist Lodi, Calif.-based S.N. Potter Insurance Agency Inc.

The acquisition of the boutique insurance program manager is the first addition of an MGA operation to Boston-based Alteris’ portfolio, the company said.

The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

SNP is known for its winery programs, insuring bonded and virtual wineries, vineyard estates, custom crush facilities and storage.

Alteris said it plans to keep the operations at SNP’s headquarters and sales office in Lodi, and its sales office in Mesa, Ariz.

Alteris Inc. is a member of Bermuda-based Argo Group International Holdings Ltd.

Airclaims, McLarens

Global insurance loss adjuster McLarens Young International is merging with aviation loss adjuster Airclaims of the United Kingdom. While both companies will continue to operate under their own brands, Airclaims will become a fully owned entity operating within the McLarens Young International group, based in Atlanta.

Lockton

Kansas City, Mo.-based Lockton expanded its Southern California operations by adding an entertainment division and a new San Fernando Valley office. The new entertainment division is divided in two groups: premier private risk and music and entertainment.

Robyn Welch will lead the private risk group as managing director. Prior to joining Lockton, Welch was an executive vice president at Robertson Taylor.

Bobbi Curry becomes managing director of the music and entertainment group. Curry served as managing director of music and entertainment at Robertson Taylor prior to joining Lockton.

Keli Tomack joins Lockton as senior vice president of its entertainment division. Tomack previously held positions at USI and Robertson Taylor. Tomack will focus on music and live events clients.

Hub, Mountain West Insurance

Chicago-based Hub International Ltd. has acquired some of the assets of Mountain West Insurance & Financial Services LLC, a Missoula, Mont.-based retail brokerage firm. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Aimee Buller of Mountain West will join Hub International Mountain States (Hub Mountain) as account manager of personal lines. She will report to Kaye Muzzanna, operations leader of Hub Mountain.