USI in the News

USI’s National Construction Practice Leader, Danette Beck, will be taking part in a live virtual panel on Wednesday, January 27, hosted by the Associated General Contractors of America, discussing the changing landscape to the construction and insurance markets due to COVID-19. During the session, a seasoned panel of insurance professionals will drill into the facts on the ground to bring insight into what lies ahead for the construction market as it faces increasing premiums, while carriers push for higher deductibles and coverage limits. Learn more and sign up for the session today.

USI was recently profiled in Insurance Journal’s annual December charity issue, which highlights the insurance industry’s numerous charitable giving and community investment programs. Since the inception of USI Gives Back in 2014, more than 8,000 USI associates have volunteered in support of their local communities, impacting nearly two million lives.

Business Insurance recently reported on the key findings from USI’s newly released Q4 2020-2021 P&C Insurance Market Outlook Report. The latest report features exclusive insights and perspectives from USI’s National Practice Leaders, covering key trends affecting the commercial insurance market, including those related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the report highlights key trends within specific coverage lines and industry verticals. Read the full article.

USI Insurance Services (“USI”), a world leader in risk management, employee benefit and retirement consulting, today announced the acquisition of Sitka, Alaska-based Venneberg Insurance. Founded in 1984, Venneberg Insurance is an independent risk management and insurance agency serving businesses and individuals throughout Southeast Alaska. All of the agency’s employees, including Mike Venneberg, owner and principal, will be joining USI. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Commenting on the announcement, Mike Venneberg stated: “For more than 35 years, our experienced and dedicated staff have established a strong reputation for meeting the unique and diverse risk management and insurance needs of families and businesses throughout Southeast Alaska. By joining forces with USI, our valued clients will continue to work with the local team of experts they’ve come to know and trust, in addition to gaining access to USI’s best-in-class resources and solutions.”

Chris Prentice, USI regional CEO, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Mike and the talented professionals from Venneberg Insurance to the USI family. By partnering as one, we look forward to delivering an unmatched level of service and expertise for our current and future clients throughout Alaska by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, a proprietary platform integrating analytics, networked resources and strategic planning to deliver customized solutions with economic impact for clients.”

About USI

USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, New York, USI connects over 8,000 industry-leading professionals from approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

USI was recently named to Business Insurance’s 2020 list of Best Places to Work in Insurance. Business Insurance’s annual survey and workplace recognition program is conducted in partnership with Best Companies Group and consists of a two-phased employer and anonymous employee survey focused on workplace policies, practices, demographics, and overall employee experience. This recognition is a direct reflection of the outstanding work done each day by our incredible employees. Read more.

The results of the American Heart Association’s 2020 Workplace Health Achievement Index were recently announced, and USI Insurance Services (“USI”) achieved Gold level recognition for the third year in a row. Companies recognized at the Gold level are among those that obtained the highest Index scores in 2020 for advancing quality workplace health programs and supporting a culture of health best practices. Out of the more than 1,000 participating organizations, USI was once again the only insurance brokerage and consulting firm to receive Gold level recognition in the “greater than 5,000 employees” category.

USI Insurance Services (“USI”), a world leader in risk management, employee benefit and retirement consulting, today announced the completion of its acquisition of Nashville, Tennessee-based Findley, Inc. Founded in 1969, Findley is a leading independent human resources and employee benefits consulting firm, providing actuarial, benefits and administrative consulting services to private and publicly held companies, the public sector and non-profit organizations. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“We are extremely excited to finalize this strategic partnership with USI, and view this as a continued evolution in our ability to serve our valued clients with expanded resources and expertise,” said Betsy Hammond, managing principal and CEO, Findley. “As part of USI, we will have broader on-the-ground geographic reach, and for our global clients, the ability to address many of their international business needs. We will have more tools to offer around compliance and communications, and best-in-class value-added services. We will also leverage the USI ONE Advantage®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom-line financial impact.”

USI Chairman & CEO, Michael J. Sicard, added: “We are pleased to officially welcome Findley’s more than 250 associates to the USI family. By joining as ONE, we look forward to expanding our national benefit consulting expertise and building on Findley’s longstanding tradition of delivering innovative solutions and exceptional service to clients.”

About USI

USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, New York, USI connects over 8,000 industry-leading professionals from approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

USI’s General Counsel & Secretary, Ernest Newborn, recently took part in a first-of-its-kind virtual event focusing on the evolution of the corporate legal department entitled, “The Evolving Legal Department.” During the event, Ernest shared his insight and expertise on the ever-changing legal world alongside leading General Counsels from prominent organizations. The event was hosted by In-House Focus, which provides best-in-class programming for the legal industry. Watch a full replay of the discussion..

USI Insurance Services (“USI”), a world leader in risk management, employee benefit and retirement consulting, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Nashville, Tennessee-based Findley, Inc. Subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, the transaction is expected to close in November 2020.

Founded in 1969, Findley is a leading independent human resources and employee benefits consulting firm, providing actuarial, benefits and administrative consulting services to private and publicly held companies, the public sector and non-profit organizations. Findley employs more than 250 associates, serving clients across the country from seven office locations in the Midwest and Southeast. Upon the completion of the transaction, Findley's actuarial and retirement practices will be joined together with the resources of USI Consulting Group, a premier provider of defined contribution and defined benefit plan consulting and administration services, to form one of the largest national specialized retirement businesses in the U.S. Findley’s human capital and health and group benefits practices will also be joined together with USI’s employee benefits resources, as one of the largest employee benefits consulting and brokerage firms in the U.S.

Betsy Hammond, managing principal and CEO, Findley, stated: “Over the last 50 years, Findley has earned a strong reputation for helping organizations succeed by aligning people and benefit strategies to achieve business goals. By joining forces with USI, we look forward to expanding our service offerings to our valued clients through USI’s premier network of national resources and expertise.”

USI Chairman & CEO, Michael J. Sicard, added: “We look forward to welcoming Betsy and the talented professionals from Findley to the USI family. By joining as ONE, we are excited to build on Findley’s strong reputation for delivering comprehensive human resource and benefit consulting services and solutions to clients by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom line financial impact.”

About Findley

Findley is an independent human resources and employee benefits consulting firm that provides services related to retirement plans, ESOPs, health and group benefits, change management, compensation and rewards, talent acquisition, compliance, and mergers and acquisitions. Findley’s more than 250 associates are located in Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, Louisville, Nashville and Pittsburgh, and serve more than 2,000 clients across all 50 states. The firm serves organizations ranging from small employers to those with over 200,000 employees in many industry sectors including healthcare, manufacturing, professional services, retail, financial institutions, nonprofits, multi-employers and government entities. To learn more, visit findley.com.

About USI

USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, New York, USI connects over 8,000 industry-leading professionals from approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

USI's Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Stew Gibson, was recently recognized as a 2020 New York CIO of the Year ORBIE Awards finalist. For more than 20 years, the CIO ORBIE Awards have recognized technology executives for their best-in-class leadership, innovation and excellence. Gibson is one of five finalists named to this year's "Large Enterprise" category. Category winners will be announced at the CIO of the Year ORBIE Awards on December 4, 2020. Learn more.

USI’s Danette Beck, national construction practice leader, was recently featured in the October Issue of National Underwriter Property & Casualty Magazine, where she discussed the current state of the construction insurance market and the impact COVID-19 is having on its outlook. In the article, Beck shared: “The pandemic didn’t change the fact that the market was going into a different cycle. We were already moving into a harder market.” Read the full article.

Webinar to spotlight how cybercriminals are tailoring their tactics to exploit organizational vulnerabilities USI’s Paul King, national executive and professional risk solutions technical director, and Nadia Hoyte, national executive & professional risk cyber practice leader, will join a live panel of industry experts on Tuesday, October 20, to discuss how organizational leaders can identify potential exposures, both external and internal, when it comes to protecting their organizations from fraud in remote work environment. Key topics of discussion will include the importance of fraud risk assessments and anti-fraud controls, how cybercriminals adapt tactics during the pandemic, why cyber risk transfer is critical, and more. Learn more and sign up to attend this free webinar, which is being hosted in partnership with PKF O’Connor Davies Accountants and Advisors.

USI Insurance Services (“USI”), a world leader in risk management, employee benefit and retirement consulting, today announced the impact of its seventh annual USI Gives Back campaign, an award-winning social responsibility program, focused on supporting positive change in local communities. Throughout the summer, team members representing more than 160 USI offices took individual action by completing more than 2,000 volunteer initiatives in local communities throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. The combined impact of these individual volunteer initiatives touched more than 270,000 lives, totaling over 18,000 hours of volunteerism.

“USI’s annual Gives Back campaign is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to the local communities that have been so instrumental to our success. While COVID-19 health and safety restrictions prevented us from hosting large group volunteer events this year, we decided to extend our 2020 campaign for the entire summer to give team members additional time and flexibility to choose how they would give back in a way that is safe and meaningful to them,” stated Kim Van Orman, senior vice president and chief human resources officer for USI. “Despite these challenging and uncertain times, I am extremely proud of the unifying spirit and uplifting impact of this year’s campaign. Our team members did not let the many COVID-19 related obstacles get in their way of making a positive difference in their communities.”

For additional information on USI Gives Back, visit www.usi.com.

About USI

USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, New York, USI connects over 8,000 industry-leading professionals from approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

USI Insurance Services (“USI”), a world leader in risk management, employee benefit and retirement consulting, today announced the acquisition of Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based Hildi Incorporated. Founded in 2004, Hildi is a regional actuarial consulting firm specializing in actuarial retirement plan services, including the design, administration, accounting and valuation of defined benefit pension plans, including cash balance plans and post-retirement health and welfare plans. The company’s operations will be combined with USI Consulting Group, a division of USI, and a premier provider of defined contribution and defined benefit plan consulting and administration services. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Commenting on the announcement, Jill Urdahl, FSA, president, Hildi Incorporated, stated: “Since Hildi’s founding, we have earned a strong reputation for delivering a higher level of actuarial service, insight and skill to provide an exceptional experience for our valued clients. Like Hildi, USI Consulting Group believes in delivering outstanding customer service, and they have a long history of providing top-quality actuarial, administrative, and consulting services for pension and Other Post-Employment Benefits plan sponsors. This partnership marks an exciting milestone for our firm, and we look forward to bringing the collective experience and added resources of one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the country to our current and future clients.”

Bill Tremko, president and CEO, USI Consulting Group, added: “We are thrilled to welcome the talented professionals from Hildi Incorporated to the USI family, and look forward to expanding USI’s retirement consulting expertise in the upper Midwest.”

About USI

USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, New York, USI connects over 8,000 industry-leading professionals from approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

USI Affinity’s Mike Mooney, senior vice president and professional liability practice leader, will be presenting at the Fall 2020 USLaw Network Worldwide Virtual Retreat. Mooney will be speaking on a panel entitled, “The Insurance Market Post-Pandemic.” This session will include a roundtable of insurance executives providing their perspectives on the future of the global insurance market, including the impact of current and future claims, how the underwriting process may be forever altered, and where new lines of business could emerge. In addition, the discussion will include the creation of a roadmap for insureds as they approach their next renewal. Learn more.

Berkley Select, a Berkley Company, to offer a new Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) program for law firms nationwide. As the broker for the ABA Insurance Program, which provides insurance and financial solutions for ABA members and their firms, USI Affinity now offers access to this new EPLI program designed to meet the unique needs of law firms.

USI Affinity and Berkley Select have assembled a program and an experienced team with expertise and access to key resources to protect and insure both small and large law firms. USI Affinity will provide EPLI solutions to law firms in all 50 U.S. states.

“Lawsuits filed by employees against their employers continue to be on the rise for firms of all sizes,” stated ABA Executive Director, Jack Rives. “Employment Practices Liability Insurance is a necessary and very valuable coverage for firms to add to their risk management portfolio. USI Affinity and Berkley Select are providing ABA members access to a program built for the legal profession that has the right protection and resources.”

“Together, USI Affinity and Berkley Select deliver a proprietary, comprehensive EPLI offering to attorneys and law firms through USI Affinity nationwide. The importance of crafting a program designed for the legal community during this time cannot be understated,” said USI Affinity Senior Vice President and Professional Liability Practice Leader, Mike Mooney. “Our new policy enhancements focus on the challenges attorneys and law firms face on a continual basis, and our partnership with both the ABA and Berkley Select will help provide a risk mitigation solution and valuable resource now and well into the future.”

“We are honored to provide the ABA a tailored EPLI solution for member law firms,” said Berkley Select President, Dan Spragg. “Berkley Select has been protecting law firms of all sizes from employment practices and professional liability for over 25 years. We know the unique employment risks faced by the legal profession and have the proven protection and claims expertise needed. We look forward to offering market-leading EPLI coverage to ABA members, and to building a long-term partnership.”

To learn more about the ABA Insurance Program, visit www.abainsurance.com.

About USI

USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, New York, USI connects over 8,000 industry-leading professionals from approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

About Berkley Select

Berkley Select is a leading provider of professional liability insurance products across a broad spectrum of disciplines and industries, for clients of various sizes and complexities. Its products and services are provided by one or more insurance company subsidiaries of W. R. Berkley Corporation. Not all products and services are available in every jurisdiction, and the precise coverage afforded by any insurer is subject to the actual terms and conditions of the policies as issued. For additional information about Berkley Select and the products and services it offers, please visit http://www.berkleyselect.com/.

About the American Bar Association

The ABA is the largest voluntary association of lawyers in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law. View our privacy statement online. Follow the latest ABA news at www.americanbar.org/news and on Twitter @ABANews.

USI Affinity and the American Bar Association (ABA) recently announced a new partnership with Crum & Forster to offer a cyber liability insurance program for law firms nationwide. As the broker for the ABA Insurance Program, which provides insurance and financial solutions for ABA members and their firms, USI Affinity now offers access to this new cyber liability program designed exclusively for the law firm community.

USI Affinity and Crum & Forster have created a premier, market-leading team, with world-class expertise and resources to help protect and insure small and large law firms. USI Affinity will provide cyber liability insurance solutions to law firms in all 50 U.S. states.

“The legal profession continues to be a target for hackers, and we have an obligation to protect client information and secure our systems,” stated ABA Executive Director, Jack Rives. “Providing ABA members and the legal community access to insurance coverage and resources to help mitigate these risks is more important than ever. As the legal profession evolves, the ABA remains committed to provide attorneys the tools they need to thrive. USI Affinity and Crum & Forster are helping bring such tools to our members.”

“Together, USI Affinity and Crum & Forster deliver a proprietary, comprehensive cyber liability offering to attorneys and law firms through USI Affinity nationwide. With industry-leading knowledge, solutions and services, we’re taking a customized approach to maximize bottom-line impact and keep policies current with the changing demands of the cyber insurance marketplace,” said USI Affinity Senior Vice President and Professional Liability Practice Leader, Mike Mooney. “Our new policy enhancements focus on the continual challenges attorneys and law firms face, providing greater peace of mind.”

“We are excited to partner with USI Affinity and the ABA to deliver a market-leading cyber liability product and service,” said Nick Economidis, vice president of eRisk for Crum & Forster. “Cyber liability is evolving, even in the past six months, we have seen changes in the market, and we are actively evolving our products and service capabilities to meet the needs of target segments like the ABA.”

To learn more about the ABA Insurance Program, visit www.abainsurance.com.

About USI

USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, New York, USI connects over 8,000 industry-leading professionals from approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

About Crum & Forster

Crum & Forster* is a leading national property and casualty insurer, providing specialty insurance products through their admitted and surplus lines insurance companies. Founded in 1822, C&F is one of the oldest U.S. insurance companies, and today has more than 2,300 employees across the country conducting business through a network of independent agents, brokers and wholesalers. C&F had $2.8 billion in gross written premium in 2019 and is rated “A” Excellent by A.M. Best. *The C&F logo, C&F and Crum & Forster are registered trademarks of United States Fire Insurance Company. For more information, visit www.cfins.com.

About the American Bar Association

The ABA is the largest voluntary association of lawyers in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law. View our privacy statement online. Follow the latest ABA news at www.americanbar.org/news and on Twitter @ABANews.

USI Insurance Services (“USI”), a world leader in risk management, employee benefit and retirement plan consulting, has been named a “Top Insurance Workplace” for the third consecutive year by Insurance Business America (IBA). IBA’s annual Top Insurance Workplaces program ranks leading U.S. insurance organizations based on a series of employee satisfaction metrics, including benefits, compensation, culture, employee development and diversity.

“Our third consecutive recognition as one of IBA’s Top Insurance Workplaces is a strong testament to USI’s tremendous 8,000 and growing team members, and their innovation, expertise and connection together as ONE,” stated Michael J. Sicard, USI’s chairman and chief executive officer. “USI’s industry-leading tools and resources, delivered through the USI ONE Advantage®, continue to attract and retain best-in-class industry talent, and we’re continually looking for new and innovative ways to support a diverse and inclusive workplace that is both personally and professionally rewarding for our valued team members.”

IBA’s Top Insurance Workplaces program has a two-phase qualification process, including an employer and an anonymous employee satisfaction survey. Company results are distributed across three separate categories based on employee size and overall employee satisfaction scores. To learn more, view the special report.

About USI

USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, New York, USI connects over 8,000 industry-leading professionals from approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

USI’s National Executive & Professional Risk Solutions Practice Leader, Andy Doherty, recently caught up with Insurance Business America to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the D&O insurance market. In the article, “COVID-19 'hastens the pace' of hardening market in D&O,” Doherty shares: “There was a firming in the D&O market going back arguably two and a half years that was accelerated pretty dramatically in 2019, particularly the second half of 2019, for publicly traded companies. Heading into 2020, we anticipated a hardening public D&O marketplace, and we were seeing that, and then COVID-19 proved to be an accelerant.” Read the full article.

USI Affinity and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) today announced the addition of medical malpractice insurance to the AAP Insurance Program. The addition of this line of insurance will provide AAP members across the U.S. with a comprehensive medical malpractice offering, including complimentary access to Pediatric Care Online (PCO).

USI Affinity’s Chief Operating Officer, Jenny Zhang, stated: “We’re excited to provide pediatricians with access to a medical malpractice policy, as an affinity program offering from the American Academy of Pediatrics, underwritten by MedPro Group and administered by USI Affinity. AAP members can trust that they are insured with the most comprehensive and reliable malpractice option available to pediatricians.”

MedPro Group has protected physicians and surgeons since 1899. Both solo practitioners and large healthcare systems can rest easy knowing MedPro Group’s stability and experience is on their side. The combination of AAP, MedPro Group and USI Affinity working together to offer an industry-leading medical malpractice policy exclusively to AAP members provides a level of industry knowledge and market strength that will be unparalleled in the marketplace.

“USI Affinity and the American Academy of Pediatrics work together to better serve the members of the AAP, and we are thrilled to offer this new coverage to our members. The medical malpractice insurance coverage is the perfect addition to the existing AAP Insurance Program, providing pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and surgeons with both business and personal insurance,” said Dr. Martha Middlemist, MD, FAAP, Chair of the AAP Insurance Trust. “This offering will provide AAP members with peace of mind and confidence that they have the best program to fit their needs.”

To learn more about the products and services available through the American Academy of Pediatrics, visit http://www.aapinsurance.com.

About USI Affinity

USI Affinity is the broker and administrator for the AAP Insurance Program. For over 75 years, USI Affinity has developed, marketed and administered programs to deliver unique advantages in insurance coverage, price and service. USI Affinity markets and administers insurance programs for over 440 organizations nationwide, representing more than 22 million association, union and alumni members. USI Affinity is a division of USI Insurance Services.

About USI

USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, New York, USI connects over 8,000 industry-leading professionals from approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

About MedPro Group

As part of the Berkshire Hathaway family, MedPro Group is the nation’s first provider of healthcare liability insurance and has protected the assets and reputations of the healthcare community since 1899. With over $1 billion in annual premium and more than 300,000 clients, MedPro Group is the national leader in customized insurance, claims and patient safety & risk solutions for physicians, surgeons, dentists and other healthcare professionals, as well as hospitals, senior care and other healthcare facilities. MedPro Group is the marketing name used to refer to the insurance operations of The Medical Protective Company, Princeton Insurance Company, PLICO, Inc. and MedPro RRG Risk Retention Group. All insurance products are administered by MedPro Group and underwritten by these and other Berkshire Hathaway affiliates, including National Fire & Marine Insurance Company. Product availability is based upon business and regulatory approval and may differ among companies. Visit medpro.com/affiliates for more information.

USI Insurance Services (“USI”), a world leader in risk management, employee benefit and retirement plan consulting, today announced the acquisition of Troy, Michigan-based insurance agency, Colburn Group Insurance (“Colburn Group”). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1946, Colburn Group is a full-service independent insurance agency specializing in commercial insurance, employee benefits and personal risk solutions for businesses and individuals. All of the agency’s team members, including Harry Colburn, chairman, and Pamela Haron, president, will be joining USI.

Commenting on the announcement, Harry Colburn stated: “This exciting partnership marks an important milestone for our firm. For more than 70 years, the Colburn Group has been delivering creative solutions and expertise to help businesses and individuals protect the things most important to them, and we look forward to continuing that tradition with USI.”

Pamela Haron added: “USI is an established leader in the risk management, insurance brokerage and consulting market, and we are excited to offer our valued clients expanded access to their best-in-class solutions, including proprietary analytics, local and national resources, and team-based planning approach.”

Thomas Cassady, USI regional CEO, stated: "We are thrilled to welcome the clients and experienced professionals from Colburn Group to the USI family. Partnering together, we look forward to serving our current and future clients throughout Michigan and the U.S., by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, a unique platform that delivers innovative risk management and employee benefit solutions with bottom-line financial impact."

About USI

USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, New York, USI connects over 8,000 industry-leading professionals from approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

In a recent interview with Risk & Insurance, Douglas O’Brien, national casualty and alternative risk practice leader, discussed the impact of COVID-19 on employment, professional and general liability lines of coverage, and what insurance buyers are experiencing amid a hardening market. In the article, “3 Liability Lines Caught in a Tightening Vise of COVID-19 Accountability,” O’Brien shares: “A year or two ago, most of the pain was focused on habitational risk, trucking and high-hazard industries like manufacturing and construction. Now, it’s kind of spread out amongst all industries. Even companies with great loss history are seeing significant rate increases above 100%.” Read the full article.

The challenging economy created by COVID-19 is having a significant impact on the trade credit insurance market. Recently, USI’s Trade Credit & Political Risk Insurance Leader, James Quirk, was interviewed by Business Insurance on the tighter underwriting restrictions being implemented as a result of the current COVID-19 environment. In the article, Quirk shared: “There is a broad restriction or outright cancellation of limits,” and continued by stating that underwriters are becoming much more stringent with applications, “It has to be 100% all questions answered, 100% buttoned up.” Read more.

USI is proud to be honored at the 2020 Insurance Marketing & Communication Association’s (IMCA) Showcase Awards, winning two Awards of Excellence for outstanding corporate communications and corporate social responsibility initiatives. The winning campaigns include USI’s International Women’s Day Video, spotlighting the incredible role women play at USI and throughout the industry, and the USI Gives Back program, highlighting the amazing community service and volunteer work of our 200 local offices. This is the second year in a row USI has received an IMCA Award of Excellence. Currently, in its 62nd year, the IMCA Conference and Showcase Awards recognizes leading work in the insurance marketing and communications field, promoting a higher standard of excellence. Read more.

VALHALLA, N.Y., Jun. 30, 2020 – USI Insurance Services (“USI”), a world leader in risk management, employee benefit and retirement plan consulting, today announced the completion of its acquisition of Associated Benefits & Risk Consulting (ABRC) from Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB). ABRC is a multi-line insurance agency and Midwest-based consulting firm with 400 employees, providing employee benefits, retirement plans, compliance, business insurance, risk management and individual insurance solutions.

Commenting on the announcement, William Bohn, ABRC’s chief executive officer, shared: “We are truly excited about this new partnership with USI. Our clients will continue to benefit from our coordinated solutions and local team of experts while gaining access to an expanded suite of industry-leading tools, solutions and expertise available through the USI ONE Advantage®, a proprietary approach that delivers innovative risk management and employee benefit solutions with bottom line financial impact.”

Michael J. Sicard, USI’s chairman and chief executive officer, added: “We are thrilled to welcome the clients and talented professionals from ABRC to the USI family. Working together as ONE, I am confident our teams will bring tremendous experience and insights, with a shared commitment to delivering a different and better experience for our valued clients across the country.”

About USI

USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, New York, USI connects over 8,000 industry-leading professionals from approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

Construction contractors adjust to new challenges in a post-COVID-19 work environment USI’s National Construction Practice Leader, Danette Beck, recently caught up with Insurance Journal for a discussion on the current construction insurance market and post-pandemic implications for contractors. While many experts anticipate the construction industry is one segment of the economy that could emerge from the pandemic stronger, contractors will undoubtedly face challenges as they adjust to job sites in a post-COVID-19 environment. In the article, Beck explains, “… construction clients are tackling these adjustments head on, but the new safety protocols add cost and new exposures.” She continued, “Contractors are resilient and always have been. They staggered workforces. They took temperatures on sites. They shut down projects and created plans to get back up and running when possible.” Read the full article.

New mid-year report reveals key market insights from USI experts and COVID-19-related challenges While the full impact of COVID-19 on the property and casualty insurance industry remains uncertain, insurance markets are facing unique and interrelated challenges that will likely continue through 2020 and well into 2021. As outlined in USI’s newly-released Q2-2020 Commercial Property & Casualty Insurance Market Outlook Report, rate increases, capacity reductions, and other negative trends continue to harden the market. At the same time, the industry faces a number of challenges and uncertainties resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Download the full report to learn  more. You can also review Business Insurance's recent coverage of the report online.

Aviation industry sees unprecedented reductions in passenger revenues as global pandemic brings unique risks In a recently-published Insurance Business America article, USI’s National Aviation Practice Leader, James Van Meter, shared his perspective on the impact COVID-19 is having on aviation clients and insurance carriers. In the article, Van Meter shares, “When massive fleets of aircraft are grounded, the insureds typically request one of two things. They either request ground breaks, which typically means paying lower insurance premiums, or they ask for some sort of lay-up credit. That will impact the aviation insurance marketplace by lowering the amount of available premium. And it goes much further than just the fleets. There are downstream effects on thousands of other aviation businesses, including those who manufacture parts for aircraft, manufacture components, repair components, repair engines, and so on. Much lower revenues across the board provide a lower rating basis for the insurers.” Read the full article.

USI Affinity, CNA and the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) today announced the availability of a “New Graduate Attorney Lawyers’ Professional Liability Program,” which offers up to two years of complimentary Lawyers’ Professional Liability (LPL) Insurance coverage to attorneys admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar within the past three years. This program is the first of its kind to be offered to Pennsylvania attorneys.

USI Affinity’s Vice President of Bar Association Programs, Shelly Lawson, stated: “With new attorneys facing many challenges opening new firms, we wanted to develop a solution to help them lessen the financial burden without sacrificing the important coverage and risk management protection that a Lawyers’ Professional Liability policy affords.”

The “New Graduate Attorney Lawyers’ Professional Liability Program” will reduce costs for existing CNA insured firms by discounting the rate for adding a new attorney to the policy as long as the individual is a PBA member, and they were admitted to the Bar within the past three years. The program also alleviates the LPL expenditure for new attorneys and ensures the completion of proper risk management courses.

“USI Affinity and the Pennsylvania Bar Association continually work together to better serve Pennsylvania attorneys, and we are thrilled to pioneer this new offering to our members,” stated Barry Simpson, executive director of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

Pennsylvania Bar Association President, Dave Schwager, added: “I am excited to launch this first of its kind program, available exclusively to PBA members, to help young lawyers secure the insurance they need to establish their practice at no cost. Programs like these that help further the success of new lawyers in our community are an essential part of the value the association brings to attorneys across the state.”

To learn more about the products and services available through the Pennsylvania Bar Association Insurance Program, visit https://www.mybarinsurance.com/pba/.

About USI Affinity

USI Affinity is the broker and administrator for the PBA Insurance Program. For over 75 years, USI Affinity has developed, marketed and administered programs to deliver unique advantages in insurance coverage, price and service. USI Affinity markets and administers insurance programs for over 440 organizations nationwide, representing more than 22 million association, union and alumni members. USI Affinity is a division of USI Insurance Services.

About USI

USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, New York, USI connects over 7,500 industry-leading professionals from approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

For the second year in a row, USI has been named as a ‘Best of the Best’ employer for multicultural women in the insurance industry by Professional WOMAN’s Magazine (PWM). PWM’s annual ‘Best of the Best’ program is designed to recognize leading U.S. organizations actively engaged in the advancement of multicultural women in all aspects of business and employment to ensure equal opportunity. Commenting on the recognition, USI’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Kim Van Orman, shared, “We are thrilled to see USI represented as one of 44 insurance industry organizations, and the only insurance brokerage and consulting firm, on PWM’s ‘Best of the Best’ list for 2020. Women comprise over 65 percent of USI’s more than 7,500 employees, representing diverse backgrounds, career paths, and unique life experiences. It’s their collective knowledge, leadership, passion, and determination that bring out the best in USI every day.” Read more in the Spring Issue of Professional Woman’s Magazine or by visiting https://bit.ly/2VpX6HB.

USI Insurance Services (“USI”), a world leader in risk management, employee benefit and retirement consulting, today announced the acquisition of Cleveland, Ohio-based Chapman & Chapman. Founded in 1886, Chapman & Chapman is a regional employee benefit and retirement consulting firm. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

In a recent Business Insurance article titled, “Shifts in manufacturing create new exposures,” Renee Dube, vice president, national property & casualty practice for USI, shared her perspective on COVID-19 related shifts in manufacturing, and associated risk exposures for organizations. In the article, Dube states: “There is a concern and there should absolutely be a review of exposure base and coverage if a manufacturer is repurposing or focusing on a new product. Based on the type of work being performed by an employer, insurers assign a class code that generates the appropriate rate and coverages for that risk. That class code is critical to the underwriting of a particular manufacturer.” Read the full article.

USI’s National Executive & Professional Risk Solutions Practice Advisor, Nadia Hoyte, recently joined a panel of cyber risk experts for an Insurance Journal webcast, “What Agents Should Know About Cyber Insurance,” to discuss the importance of cyber insurance and how to get more businesses to buy it, as well as key considerations for agents who are looking to begin selling cyber insurance. During the webcast, Hoyte shared: “Sometimes, there is the desire just to go out and just get an insurance policy, but I do think it’s always prudent to take that step back to really understand what are [the clients] asking for, and making sure that is aligning with the product that we’re putting in front of them.” Listen to a replay of the webcast.

USI Employee Benefit Producers, Gregg Mellinger and Sam Odishoo, recently co-authored a new byline article, “Taking Control of Employee Benefit Costs,” for American Machinist. In the article, Mellinger and Odishoo emphasize the importance of “The 4 Ps” – product, people, premiums and profit – when it comes to providing a framework for manufacturing and industrial organizations to promote engagement and increase profitability. Read the full article.

In a recent Business Insurance article, “Brokers, buyers, insurers renew policies while sheltering in place,” USI’s National Property & Casualty Practice Leader, Robert Meyers, discusses how USI is helping clients deal with potentially massive changes in business levels and exposures in their insurance policies as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic. In the article, Meyers shares a few examples of how USI is working to support clients: “We are working with our carrier partners to give them 30 days’ extension on payments before (notices of cancellation) are issued. Is there a need to make a mid-term cancellation and rewrite because the exposure has changed so dramatically? All of these conversations are going on right now.” Read the full article.

As traditional insurance prices increase, retentions rise and catastrophic losses raise concerns, commercial insurance buyers are showing a growing interest in parametric insurance coverage. In a recent interview with Business Insurance, USI’s National Casualty and Alternative Risk Division Manager, Douglas O’Brien, shared: “Policyholders with traditional coverage are seeing renewals which are quite expensive, and they are asking, ‘Is there a better way to purchase risk transfer?’” Renee Dube, vice president of USI’s national P&C practice, added: “Parametric insurance, however, can be expensive, with rates on line ranging between 5% and 8%, meaning $1 million of coverage will cost between $50,000 and $80,000.” Read the full article.

USI’s National Property & Casualty Practice Leader, Robert Meyers, was recently quoted in a new PropertyCasualty360 article highlighting how insurance agents and brokers are helping clients manage through the COVID-19 pandemic. In the article, Meyers shares: “We [USI] are working with our carrier partners to help clients obtain relief through various measures, such as revisiting minimum premiums and securing return premiums now rather than waiting for audits, among others. Additionally, we are supporting any and all efforts to obtain state and federal relief to pay for the business interruption losses being incurred.” Read the full article.

Nadia Hoyte, national advisor for USI’s Executive and Professional Risk Solutions Practice, sat down with Risk & Insurance Magazine for the publication’s March cover story to discuss the latest developments and opportunities in the cyber insurance market. From a growing demand for expanded coverage offerings for a wide-array of cyber risk exposures, to expanded carrier capacity, to the need for greater industry standardization for common policy terms – the cyber insurance market continues to expand to meet the needs of organizations. In the interview, Hoyte shares: “As the potential for cyber warfare grows, companies that accept this exclusion in cyber policies — without appropriate modification — may be hung out to dry if they become a victim of such an attack. I think carriers need to work on common forms and terms.” Read the latest article.

USI Insurance Services (“USI”), a world leader in risk management, employee benefit and retirement plan consulting, today announced the acquisition of Franklin, Tennessee-based Full Service Insurance Agency, Inc. Founded in 1975, Full Service Insurance is one of middle Tennessee’s leading independent insurance agencies, specializing in commercial insurance, employee benefits and personal risk solutions for businesses and individuals. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Commenting on the announcement, Paul Pratt, Jr., president, Full Service Insurance, stated: “Joining forces with USI, one of the world’s leading risk management, insurance brokerage and consulting organizations, marks an exciting milestone for our firm. I am confident this new partnership will further strengthen our long-standing reputation for delivering superior solutions, expertise and service to our valued clients throughout the Middle Tennessee region.”

“For over 40 years, Full Service Insurance has been helping businesses and individuals protect the things most important to them,” stated John Pratt, vice president, Full Service Insurance. “Going forward, our clients will continue to have the opportunity to work with our talented team of local experts, in addition to gaining access to an expanded suite of industry-leading tools, solutions and expertise available through the USI ONE Advantage®, a unique platform that delivers innovative risk management and employee benefit solutions with bottom-line financial impact.”

Tom Longhta, USI regional CEO, added: “This partnership affirms USI’s commitment to delivering an unparalleled level of service and expertise to our clients throughout Tennessee. We look forward to welcoming the clients and experienced professionals from Full Service Insurance to the USI family.”

About USI

USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, New York, USI connects over 7,500 industry-leading professionals from approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

USI’s National Travel Insurance Practice Leader, Karen Johnson, recently sat down with CBS News to discuss concerns around the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) threat and key insurance considerations for travelers. In the interview, Johnson shares why carrying a ‘cancel for any reason’ policy in the face of COVID-19 could prove beneficial: “For an event like this where we don’t know who long it’s going to be around or if it’s just going to explode, this is the perfect example why someone would buy cancel for any reason insurance.” Read the latest article.

USI’s National Construction Practice Leader, Danette Beck, recently authored a byline article for Construction Executive that examines the key issues and trends facing the construction industry in 2020. In the article, Beck discusses the key factors she believes will continue to affect overall profits and challenge the ability of construction contractors to control risks, including a skilled labor shortage, trade tariffs, and catastrophic weather events. When it comes to managing these risks, Beck shares several key steps for contractors to remember, “Organizations that assume a proactive and disciplined risk management approach will receive a more favorable view from insurance carriers. Starting the process early is a good first step. Working with a qualified and experienced risk adviser can help contractors navigate the process, setting them on the right track towards the most favorable outcome.” Read the latest article.

USI Insurance Services (“USI”), a world leader in risk management, employee benefit and retirement plan consulting, today announced the acquisition of Fort Worth, Texas-based Forté Benefits, a full-service employee benefit broker-consulting firm. All of the agency’s employees and four partners, Logan Dickinson, Jeff Farmer, David Farrell and Bill Hester, will be joining USI. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Commenting on the announcement, Logan Dickinson, partner, Forté Benefits, stated: “On behalf of our employees and the Forté Benefits leadership team, we are thrilled to be joining forces with USI, one of the world’s top 10 insurance brokerage and consulting firms. Going forward, our clients will continue to benefit from our coordinated solutions and local team of experts, while gaining access to an expanded suite of industry-leading tools, solutions and expertise available through the USI ONE Advantage®, a proprietary approach that delivers innovative risk management and employee benefit solutions with bottom line financial impact.”

“This new partnership marks an exciting milestone for our firm,” added David Farrell, partner, Forté Benefits. “Together, USI and Forté will offer a comprehensive suite of distinctive employee benefit, property & casualty, personal risk and retirement solutions, delivering a different and better experience for our valued clients in Fort Worth and throughout the state of Texas.”

John Collado, USI regional CEO, stated: “We are pleased to welcome the clients and talented professionals from Forté Benefits to the USI family. Along with expanding USI’s presence in the Fort Worth market, we look forward to further strengthening Forté’s established reputation for delivering superior service and innovative solutions to clients through the USI ONE Advantage®.”

About USI

USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, New York, USI connects over 7,500 industry-leading professionals from approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

USI’s National Construction Practice Leader, Danette Beck, will take part in an expert panel discussion titled, “Leaders Today and the Next Generation Tomorrow,” at this year’s upcoming Women in Insurance Conference in Atlanta on April 14, hosted by Insurance Business America. With today’s companies managing four different generations in the workforce, creating leadership pathways for the emerging generation of Millennials and GenZers poses a unique challenge. This dynamic panel will explore how organizations can optimize a multi-generational workplace, by attracting the next generation of female talent, and leading diverse teams with distinct attributes and differing motivations.” Learn more.

USI’s Scott Haas, benefits advisor in Portland, OR, was recently interviewed by Employee Benefit News on the blind spots facing many HR and benefit professionals who are becoming overly dependent on delivering healthcare services through digital means and missing the mark when it comes to achieving cost-effective outcomes. In the article, Haas states, “The only way to do that is with healthcare services that are reasonably priced and transparent and with employers that address the underlying question of why health plan members don’t engage in wellness or make better benefit choices.” Read the full article.

USI Affinity announced today a new partnership with the Delaware State Bar Association to offer an enhanced Lawyers’ Professional Liability (LPL) Insurance solution for Delaware attorneys, endorsed by the Delaware State Bar Association. USI Affinity obtains professional liability insurance for more than 35,000 attorneys, and it is the endorsed insurance administrator and partner for more than 30 state and local bar associations nationwide.

“USI Affinity is one of the most respected specialty brokers and program managers in the Lawyers’ Professional Liability space,” stated William Brady, president, Delaware State Bar Association. “We are excited to bring this industry-leading insurance offering to our valued members. This partnership further demonstrates our commitment to continually enhance our member benefit offerings, providing first-class products and services, endorsed by the Delaware State Bar Association.”

Mike Mooney, professional liability practice leader, USI Affinity, added: “Backed by USI Affinity’s industry-leading knowledge, solutions and service, we look forward to delivering customized insurance solutions to help attorneys keep pace with the changing demands of the LPL marketplace. Our newest policy enhancements focus on the challenges attorneys and law firms face on a continual basis, providing the peace of mind they have not had in recent years.”

USI Affinity has created a premier, market-leading team, with world-class expertise and resources, to help protect and insure both small and large law firms. To learn more about the Attorneys’ Preferred Insurance Program, visit https://www.usiaffinity.com/attorneyspreferred.

About USI

USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, New York, USI connects over 7,500 industry-leading professionals from approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

USI Insurance Services (“USI”), a world leader in risk management, employee benefit and retirement plan consulting, today announced the acquisition of Las Vegas-based insurance agency Orgill Singer & Associates, Inc. (“Orgill Singer Insurance”). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1986, Orgill Singer Insurance has grown to become one of Nevada’s leading full-service independent insurance agencies, specializing in commercial insurance, employee benefits and personal risk solutions for local businesses and individuals. All of the agency’s team members in Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada, including David Dahan, chief executive officer, Eric Springall, president, and Eamon Springall, chief operating officer, will be joining USI.

David Dahan stated: “USI is an established leader in the risk management, insurance brokerage and consulting market, known for its best-in-class solutions, including proprietary analytics, local and national resources, and team-based planning approach. I am confident this new partnership will further strengthen our longstanding reputation for delivering superior solutions, expertise and service to our valued clients throughout Nevada.”

“We look forward to joining forces with USI,” shared Eric Springall. “Our clients will continue to benefit from our coordinated solutions and support on a local level, and as part of USI, will also have access to USI’s proprietary resources, solutions and expertise on a national level.”

Eamon Springall commented: “For more than 30 years, our focus at Orgill Singer Insurance has been devoted to caring for the interests of businesses and families across Nevada, and we look forward to continuing that tradition with USI.”

Michael Sicard, USI chairman and chief executive officer, stated: “We are thrilled to welcome the experienced professionals from Orgill Singer Insurance to the USI family. By partnering as one, we look forward to serving our current and future clients throughout Nevada, the U.S. and internationally, by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, a unique platform that delivers innovative risk management and employee benefit solutions with bottom-line financial impact.”

About USI

USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, New York, USI connects over 7,500 industry-leading professionals from approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

Joni Mason, national advisor and claims advocate for USI’s Executive and Professional Risk Solutions Practice, will participate in an expert panel discussion titled, “The Continuing Effects of #MeToo on Litigation and Legislation,” at this year’s Claims and Litigation Management (CLM) Alliance Conference in Dallas, March 18-20. Mason’s session will cover the ways in which legislation has changed since the #MeToo movement with a focus on how this has evolved the practice of employment practices liability and its impact on insurance policies. Learn more.

USI’s National Analytics Practice Leader, Marcia Linton, recently authored an in-depth byline article for the International Risk Management Institute (IRMI) titled, “Understanding the Impact of Medical Bill Review Pricing on Loss Projection and Collateral Requirements for Workers’ Compensation Programs.” In the article, Linton discusses the importance of the medical bill review process when it comes to managing total workers’ compensation costs, in addition to providing a breakdown of charges and pricing scenarios. Read the full article.

USI’s National Executive and Professional Risk Solutions Practice Advisor, Nadia Hoyte, will lead a panel of industry experts in a discussion titled, “Is Cyber Warfare Insurable?” at this year’s Advisen Cyber Risk Insights Conference in San Francisco, February 11-12, at The Julia Morgan Ballroom. With nearly 300 cyber insurance professionals expected to attend, USI is a proud sponsor of this year’s conference. The conference will cover many issues facing the cyber risk insurance industry, including technology, innovation, the regulatory environment, coverage issues, and client expectations and demands. Learn more.

USI’s National D&O Practice Leader, Andrew Doherty, was recently interviewed by PropertyCasualty360 on the current D&O landscape and related coverage insights for corporate executives and their organizations in 2020. In the interview, Doherty explains, “The overall D&O landscape is, and will likely remain, as close to a hard market as we have seen in a very long time. For many public companies, it is undoubtedly already a hard market that will continue in 2020. For privately held and not-for-profit organizations, the outlook shows a firming marketplace, just not to the degree that public companies are facing.” Read the full article. (Free subscription required)

Kate Anawaty, national communications team leader for USI, was recently interviewed by Employee Benefit Adviser on the value effective communication strategies can have on employee engagement and the open enrollment process. Anawaty shares: “If the goal of the communications strategy is to drive employees to a certain plan or behavior, then looking at the enrollment numbers and seeing a migration or a shift is an indication of a successful communications campaign. We can see from the numbers that what we wanted to encourage is reflected in the outcome.” Read the full article.

USI’s National Real Estate Practice Leader, Brian Dove, was recently interviewed by Business Insurance on the current challenges associated with the hardening property insurance market. In the article, Dove shares: “It’s definitely a challenging marketplace for property. Every account is really, and in some cases fortunately, judged on their own merit. I have seen renewals as low as 5% rate increase, but I’ve also seen renewals with 400% to 500% rate increases. The level of increase is driven by where the insured property is located, what kind of losses they’ve had and what kind of catastrophe losses they’ve had, in addition to attritional losses.” Read the full article.

Andrew Doherty, USI’s national D&O practice leader, recently caught up with Business Insurance to discuss the latest trends surrounding D&O insurance program renewals as many risk managers at publicly held companies face double-digit rate hikes. In the article, “D&O rates surge; IPO market hit hardest,” Doherty shares that while rates for companies with IPOs have been higher than many other accounts, now their D&O insurance costs have “gone to extreme levels, to where you’re seeing rates sometimes three times or more above the rates of similarly-sized public companies” that have been public for a number of years. Read the full article.

Karen McDonough, chief legal officer for USI Consulting Group, was recently profiled in Vanguard Law Magazine. The featured article highlights McDonough’s career in the retirement and benefits industry, from working in an administrative position in benefits and retirement for Connecticut’s Office of the State Comptroller out of college, attending law school, to joining USI Consulting Group, where today, she is proud to lead a legal team of five other female professionals. Read the full article.