AmWINS Forms Sentinel Marine Underwriters with Houston Office

AmWINS Group Inc. (AmWINS) has formed a new managing general agency with a focus on marine risks, Sentinel Marine Underwriters (SMU).

Executive vice presidents Mark Bernas and Keith Blair will lead SMU from Houston, Texas, and New York, N.Y., respectively. Bernas and Blair are industry veterans, with cargo, transit and ocean marine underwriting experience.

SMU offers marine and cargo insurance solutions, including global risk control, for clients including importers, exporters, manufacturers, and wholesalers. SMU’s product offering includes worldwide cargo/transit, global stock throughput (transit and inventory), project cargo, and excess storage on stock throughput programs.

Argonaut Insurance Co., a member of Argo Group International Holdings Ltd., which is rated ‘A’ (Excellent) by A.M. Best, is providing the insurance capacity for SMU. The policies will be issued on admitted paper and will be offered nationally across all 50 states.

AmWINS also has established AmWINS Specialty Logistics Underwriters (ASLU) in Sunrise, Florida, focused on marine, cargo and transport risks.

Source: AmWINS Group