Markel Insurance Acquires Specialized Insurance

Markel Insurance Co. today announced that it has acquired Specialized Insurance Inc., of Blair, Neb. Specialized Insurance provides admitted garage program coverage primarily in the western United States, with concentration in California, Oregon, Arizona, Washington, Nevada, and Colorado. The program covers non- franchised used car dealers, repair shops, gas stations, body shops, lube & tune centers, and car washes.

The transaction closed on April 1, 2008. The Specialized office in Nebraska will become a Markel Insurance Co. underwriting and marketing office, and will continue to service existing and new accounts.

“Specialized Insurance has been a general agency for Markel since 2000, and we are pleased to bring this talented group of underwriters in-house,” said Britton L. Glisson, president and chief operating officer. “The team brings an extensive understanding of the garage industry to Markel.”

According to LuAnne Patak, president of Specialized and now associate vice president/branch manager for Markel, said the acquisition will help it to expand the garage program. “We will continue to support our existing producer relationships, and will appoint new agents in several states,” she said.