QBE Partners with Arrowhead to Grow Its Small Commercial Insurance Business

NEW YORK, June 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- QBE North America, an operating division of global insurer QBE Insurance Group Limited, and Arrowhead General Insurance Agency, Inc. today announced that Arrowhead will become program administrator for QBE North America's small commercial insurance portfolio, consisting of property and casualty business accounts under $100,000 in premium.

Effective July 1, this agreement sets the stage for profitable growth by creating an industry-leading small commercial property and casualty program that combines the strengths of both companies: QBE's underwriting expertise, "A" rated capacity, strong global balance sheet and highly rated claims service with Arrowhead's program management expertise, customer-centric technology and strong agent network. As a result of this alliance, agents will have access to a broader array of products and services through an easy-to-use operating platform for the small commercial market.

"QBE is fully committed to the small commercial business and the agents and brokers who have helped us build it," says Kathleen Zortman, President, Property & Casualty, QBE North America. "As we evaluated how to take the business to the next level, we realized that tapping Arrowhead's expertise and technology platform offered the quickest and most effective way we could provide our distribution partners with the greatest ease of doing business as well as innovative product improvements that deliver on our promise as an integrated specialist insurer. The initial feedback we have been getting from agents has been very positive."

"This partnership is built on a successful 20-plus-year relationship we've had with QBE as their program administrator in other business segments," says Chris Walker, CEO of Arrowhead. "QBE's Small Commercial business will be the centerpiece of our offering, complementing our other products in the small commercial space. In fact, given its central role, we'll be calling it Arrowhead Core Commercial. We'll be able to give agents a very well-rounded product offering in one place with the strength and unwavering commitment of QBE."

As the insurance provider, QBE will retain full financial responsibility for premiums and losses and manage the products and appetite for risk. As program administrator, Arrowhead will perform all underwriting and servicing responsibilities on behalf of QBE, with the exception of claims management, which will remain with QBE.

To ensure consistency in underwriting approach and relationships with existing QBE agents, QBE underwriters and operations professionals assigned to commercial accounts under $100,000 in premium will become part of the Arrowhead team. Walter Grote, currently Senior Vice President, Small Commercial, QBE North America will join Arrowhead to lead Arrowhead Core Commercial, which will be headquartered in Sun Prairie, WI.

Within the next year the QBE Small Commercial products will be transitioned to the Arrowhead policy platform on a state-by-state basis to facilitate an easier and more efficient underwriting experience for agents and their clients. It also will make product improvements easier to execute to meet the evolving needs of the small commercial marketplace. The plan is to complete the rollout to all states by the end of 2018.

"The launch of Arrowhead Core Commercial is a natural fit for Arrowhead, which already features more than 20 products in personal, commercial, specialty, professional liability and public entity spaces," said Mr. Walker. "We're excited about bringing the Small Commercial team from QBE onboard. Walter and his team of highly professional, talented people will enhance the strength of our national footprint and our leadership position in National Programs."

For QBE, this arrangement illustrates the importance QBE places on creating a powerful combination for policyholders who benefit from deep underwriting expertise, exceptional local service, and sound risk management advice.

About Arrowhead

Arrowhead General Insurance Agency, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, is a national insurance program manager for commercial and personal products and is one of the largest in the U.S. with $1.3 billion written premium in 2016. Arrowhead's relationships with over 20 top-ranked insurance carriers provide stability for its nationwide network of agents. Arrowhead is a subsidiary of Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE: BRO), which is ranked by Business Insurance magazine as the sixth largest global independent insurance intermediary. For more information, please visit www.ArrowheadGrp.com and www.BBinsurance.com.

About QBE

QBE North America is part of QBE Insurance Group Limited, one of the largest insurers and reinsurers worldwide. QBE NA reported Gross Written Premiums in 2016 of $4.6 billion. QBE Insurance Group's 2016 results can be found at www.qbena.com. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, QBE operates out of 37 countries around the globe, with a presence in every key insurance market. The North America division, headquartered in New York, conducts business through its property and casualty insurance subsidiaries. QBE insurance companies are rated "A" (Excellent) by A.M. Best and "A+" by Standard & Poor's. Additional information can be found at www.qbena.com, or follow QBE North America on Twitter.

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SOURCE QBE