Agent News
Q3 2017
August marked Third Coast Underwriters’ first year in the agribusiness segment, as we’re on course to achieve our 2017 goal of $5 million in new direct written premium by year-end. Since August 2016, we have written 11 accounts covering commercial agribusiness operations, totaling $5.7 million in written premium.
When 3CU began exploring appetite expansion in 2016, agribusiness was identified as an underserved niche market that would allow for diversification in our relatively limited market appetite, but with lower economic volatility than some of the other market segments.
The unique exposures in agribusiness, which we define as “from farm to first production,” were thought to be compatible with the 3CU high-touch, collaborative service model.
“With the addition of agribusiness leader Bill Simonson, we were able to work with Claims, Underwriting and Loss Control to build out an underwriting appetite, loss control methodology and distribution strategy focused on agency partners with vertical expertise in this space,” said Mike Valiante, vice president of Production and Agency Management for 3CU.
Throughout the remainder of 2017, 3CU will continue to develop business opportunities with agencies specializing in this segment. By focusing future efforts on a greater agribusiness presence in 3CU core states, we can deliver customized workers’ compensation solutions to all business partners.
“We are very pleased with the traction obtained early on with the addition of the agribusiness segment, and we’re excited about the potential this segment has to offer going forward,” said Bill Simonson, regional director of Gulf and Agribusiness for 3CU.
Thank you to our agents for your continued partnership in helping us build successful workers’ compensation solutions for underserved and niche markets. To learn more about our agribusiness segment, visit our website or contact your 3CU business development consultant.
Third Coast Underwriters is excited to announce that A.M. Best has recognized the ongoing financial strength and stability of AF Group, of which Third Coast is a member, by reaffirming its financial strength rating as “A-” (Excellent) and upgrading its “stable” outlook to “positive.”
In recognizing AF Group’s enhanced financial position, A.M. Best cited “improving operating performance driven by profitable underwriting results and demonstrated expertise within the workers’ compensation marketplace. Furthermore, the ratings acknowledge the group’s utilization of sophisticated predictive analytic modeling tools and medical cost containment practices and initiatives.”
“This announcement is a reflection on the outstanding partnerships we have established with our agents, who share our vision of providing unparalleled service to the customers we collectively serve,” said Lisa Corless, president of AF Group.
AF Group’s strong financial position is supported by:
- Anticipated outperformance of the industry for the sixth consecutive year in 2017 with a forecasted combined ratio significantly better than the expected industry result of 100%.
- Claim and medical management strategies producing claim costs that are 17% better than the industry on average.
- Ranking as the 11th largest workers’ compensation insurance company in the United States on a net premium basis, with a diversified portfolio of insureds.
If you have questions regarding this information, please reach out to your business development consultant.
Leveraging more than 100 years of experience and an “A-” (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best, AF Group is one of the nation’s largest writers of specialty insurance. Collectively, our brands carry a broad appetite and the ability to write up to 80% of all workers’ compensation business in our core states.
Together, our brands serve 50 licensed states to provide coverage across most industries, as well as specialization in a variety of markets. It’s this expertise and exceptional customer service that makes AF Group a proven insurance partner. To provide more information about our collective strength, we’ve created a presentation, which illustrates the power of our enterprise for agent partners and policyholders. To access the presentation, click here.
At Third Coast Underwriters (3CU), our customers are our top priority. Because we specialize in addressing complex operations and challenging exposures, we know the importance of developing unique workers’ compensation solutions. The list below illustrates the varied mix of accounts we have written recently within our core segments. Let us help you deliver successful outcomes for your customers today. For more information, visit 3CU.com, email [email protected] or call 866-641-2328.
AGRIBUSINESS
- Contractors – Machinery Dealers & Drivers – $571,300
- Hay, Grain, Feed or Fertilizer – Dealers, Local Managers & Drivers – $193,000
- Landscape Gardening and Drivers – $158,600 – $751,300
- Livestock – Dealer or Commission Merchant, Salesperson & Drivers – $198,600
- Seed Merchant – $225,300
- Store Meat, Fish or Poultry Dealer – $249,700
CONSTRUCTION
- Architect or Engineer – Consulting – $173,900
- Automatic Sprinkler Repair Installation & Drivers – $154,600
- Boiler Installation or Repair – Steam – $296,600
- Buildings – Operation by Contractors – $337,200 – $651,700
- Carpentry – Detached One- or Two-Family Dwellings – $751,100
- Conduit Construction – $237,000 – $648,200
- Concrete Construction – $191,700 – $1,415,500
- Concrete or Cement Work – $160,600 – $422,900
- Concrete Products – $1,296,300
- Contractor – Executive Supervisor or Construction Superintendent – $202,500 – $298,000
- Electric Light or Power Line Construction & Drivers – $1,132,000
- Electrical Wiring – Within Buildings & Drivers – $163,600 – $857,400
- Elevator Erection or Repair – $271,900
- Floor installation – Linoleum, Carpet, Vinyl or Rubber Tile – $226,900
- Furniture or Fixtures Installation – Portable – $460,900
- Gas Main or Connection Construction & Drivers – $175,400 – $216,000
- Glazier – $163,800 – $183,700
- Household and Commercial Appliances – Electrical Installation, Service or Repair & Drivers – $270,300
- HVAC & Refrigeration – $169,000 – $343,200
- Machinery or Equipment Erection or Repair – $296,200
- Masonry – $178,400 – $593,600
- Mobile Crane and Hoisting Service Contractors – All operations – $192,400 – $204,600
- Painting – Metal Structures Over Two Stories in Height & Drivers – $295,900
- Painting or Paperhanging – $165,100 – $259,600
- Park Noc – All Employees & Drivers – $470,800 – $675,100
- Plumbing – $161,500 – $232,400
- Railroad Construction – $229,400 – $867,900
- Roofing & Drivers – $449,700
- Shaft Sinking – $288,700
- Sign Installation, Maintenance, Repair or Removal & Drivers – $486,400
- Street Cleaning & Drivers – $464,300
- Street or Road Construction – Paving or Repaving – $167,600 – $320,200
- Telephone or Telegraph Company – $170,400 – $1,182,600
- Tile, Stone, Mosaic or Terazzo Work – Inside – $449,500
- Wallboard Installation Within Buildings & Drivers – $580,200
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
- Buildings – Operation by Contractors – $516,900
- Machinery or Equipment Erection or Repair & Drivers – $440,000
- Rubber Tire Dealers – $1,685,500
- Scrap Dealer & Drivers – $685,200 – $868,200
- Street Cleaning & Drivers – $289,900
ENERGY
- Gasoline Dealer & Drivers – $297,400
- Mobile Crane and Hoisting Service – Employees & Drivers – $309,500
- Oil or Gas Lease Work – By Contractor & Drivers – $297,900
- Oil or Gas Well – Instrument Logging or Survey Work & Drivers – $207,500
- Oil Still Erection or Repair – $317,700
- Trucking – Employees & Drivers – $152,800 – $519,300
- Trucking – Long Distance Hauling – $152,500
MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
- Boilermaking – $394,700
- Oxygen or Hydrogen Manufacturing & Drivers – $2,080,000
- Ink Manufacturing – $240,700
- Painting – Shop only – $823,900
- Rubber Goods Manufacturing – $509,800
- Street Cleaning & Drivers – $267,300
TRANSPORTATION
- Automobile Towing – $239,300 – $242,800
- Beer or Ale Dealer – $163,100 – $1,817,500
- Garbage Collection & Drivers – $246,800
- Lumberyard – New Materials – $590,400
- Machinery Dealer & Drivers – $202,800
- Railroad Construction – $173,200
- Storage Warehouse Furniture & Drivers – $346,800
- Store – Wholesale – $237,700 – $607,200
- Trucking – Long Distance Hauling – $165,800 – $857,600
- Trucking – $373,000 – $571,500
- Vending Distribution – $976,300