Zenith Offers Agribusiness Insurance
In what appears to be its first foray into offering liability coverages, Zenith Insurance Co., a workers’ compensation insurance specialist, will be offering agribusiness insurance in California. Through its AgriBusiness Solutions Division, the company is providing:
- Commercial property coverage to protect the physical assets of agricultural businesses;
- Commercial general liability to protect businesses from the cost of defending themselves or paying damages if a third-party claims an agribusiness caused them bodily harm and/or damaged their property; and
- Commercial auto policies for agricultural operations, from small business vehicles to heavy duty trucks, as well as private passenger vehicles owned by the farm or business.
Zenith has indicated that farm insurance and ranch insurance will be available at a future date. Additionally, in February the company submitted a rate filing with the California Department of Insurance for umbrella/excess coverage, and is awaiting approval.
Products will be sold exclusively through local independent insurance agents “with deep roots in California agriculture,” in target areas such as wineries, farm supply stores, commercial nurseries, farm managers, bean warehouses, nut hullers, commercial farms, and many more markets.
Zenith AgriBusiness Solutions division’s staff includes management, underwriting and claims personnel, and is being led by Executive Vice President Craig Thomson (formerly of Allied/Nationwide) out of the company’s Roseville, Calif., office. Thomson was unavailable for comment by press time.
Zenith National Insurance Corp. is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd., and is the holding company for Zenith Insurance Co. The company specializes in workers’ compensation insurance in 45 states and the District of Columbia. It is rated “A” by A.M. Best.