Business Moves – South Central

Arthur J. Gallagher, Bessleman & Little

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has acquired Besselman & Little Agency of Baton Rouge, La.

Founded in 1986, Besselman & Little Agency offers a wide range of employee benefit consultation and insurance brokerage services for corporate, executive and individual clients throughout the southern United States. The agency specializes in group medical, dental, life, disability and long term care insurance programs.

Tom Besselman and his associates will continue to operate in their current location under the direction of John Neumaier, South Central regional executive vice president of Gallagher’s employee benefit consulting and brokerage operations.

SIAA

The Strategic Insurance Agency Alliance (SIAA) signed four new agency members in South Central states during March: Jo Norwood Insurance Agency, Malakoff, Texas; Higgins Insurance Group, Tishomingo, Okla.; and Jo Turpen Insurance, Mineral Wells, Texas.

Since its inception in 1995, SIAA has signed more than 4,000 new members.

Main Street America, Grain Dealers Mutual

The Main Street America Group introduced its commercial product line, including its main line business owners policy (Main Line BOP), to around 100 independent agents who represent the property/casualty insurance carrier’s Grain Dealers Mutual Insurance Co. in Oklahoma.

Grain Dealers Mutual agents in Oklahoma also receive access to Main Street America’s workers’ compensation and commercial umbrella products. Commercial auto is expected to be introduced in Oklahoma later in the year.

Fireman’s Fund, Allianz Global

Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. is partnering with Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty to expand its entertainment division and capabilities in North America.

Fireman’s Fund has more than 90 entertainment underwriters, customer service, claims and risk services experts in Burbank and Santa Monica, Calif., Dallas, Minneapolis, Minn., New York City, London, and now Toronto.

A team led by Lynne Pepper, an entertainment underwriter with more than 20 years of experience, will focus on expanding Fireman’s Fund entertainment business across a variety of segments. The team, which includes entertainment underwriting veteran Natalie Reynolds and customer service specialist Robyn McMahon, previously worked at Travelers Canada.

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty will handle all aspects of the Canadian entertainment business through appointed agents and brokers.