Markel to Open New Onshore Energy Casualty Unit

Markel Global Marine & Energy Inc. (MGME) announced the planned expansion of the company’s product offerings through a new Onshore Energy Casualty Department. The new department will be open January 2008.

MGME’s new Onshore Casualty Department will be headed by Karl Hauenstein, who recently joined the company as associate vice president, and is instrumental in the department’s start-up. Hauenstein has over 30 years of insurance and reinsurance underwriting and broking experience, most of it devoted to casualty insurance coverages for energy related operations.

MGME’s new Onshore Energy Casualty Department will provide primary and excess liability coverages to clients involved in the following areas: oil and gas exploration and production; chemicals and petrochemicals manufacturing and marketing; power generation and distribution; specialty contractors; specialty tools and equipment manufacturing, sales & leasing; petroleum products storage, marketing & distribution; mining & quarrying.

Based in Houston, Texas, Markel Global Marine & Energy is part of Markel Corp. North American Group of Cos., which is rated “AXII” by A.M. Best. The Richmond, Va.-based Markel Corp. markets and underwrites specialty insurance products and programs to a variety of niche markets.

Source: Markel, www.markelcorp.com