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Appointments Insurance

Gen Re Names Ulrich Pasdika to Executive Board

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Gen Re has announced that Ulrich Pasdika has been appointed to the Executive Board of General Reinsurance AG, effective 1 August 2020.

General Reinsurance AG is Gen Re’s German legal entity and the main risk carrier for its international business.

The appointment comes as part of Gen Re’s succession plan for its long-standing Head of International Life/Health business, Winfried Heinen, whose forthcoming retirement was announced earlier this year. Mr. Heinen will continue to serve in his roles until 31 July 2020.

Ulrich (Uli) Pasdika is an experienced re/insurance executive who has been with Gen Re for close to 20 years. He will continue to be responsible for the recently created Life/Health business segment Europe, Latin America and MENA. Prior to this role, he led Gen Re’s Life/Health business in Germany and headed-up the international Research & Development team – a core unit that combines underwriting and actuarial resources and underpins Gen Re’s successful risk management and product development services.

Mr. Heinen stated “I am very pleased about this move. Uli and I have worked closely together for almost two decades. During this time, he has played an instrumental role in building our franchise in the German market. In addition, in recent years he has spearheaded our digitisation and insurtech activities. He embodies both Gen Re’s traditional strengths and values and our focus on the future.”

Charlie Shamieh, Gen Re’s Chairman, said “I’m delighted about Uli’s appointment. His vast experience and strong expertise in the international protection markets, in combination with his unwavering client focus, make him the ideal candidate for this position.”

© 2020 David Mazor


Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway and BYD, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Insurance

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Names Dubai-based Alessandro Cerase to Global Property Underwriting Officer Team

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Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance has expanded its Global Property Underwriting Officer team to include Alessandro Cerase, who will focus on General Property, Energy and Construction. Alessandro will also retain his role as Senior Executive Officer (SEO) for BHSI’s Middle East region.

“With our property portfolio growing worldwide, it is the perfect time to expand our global property leadership team, led by Dean LaPierre, and to expand Alessandro’s invaluable contributions to BHSI globally,” said David Fields, Global Chief Underwriting Officer, BHSI. “This move is indicative of the strength and depth of BHSI’s team, not only in property but across all our lines of business — and of the excellent advancement opportunities available for BHSI teammates around the globe.”

Alessandro joined BHSI as SEO for the Middle East in 2018. A chemical engineer by background, he has more than 20 years of experience with energy and technical risks. As he assumes his additional responsibilities, Alessandro will remain based in Dubai.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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GEICO Insurance

GEICO Extends Policy Cancellation Pause Through May 31

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With the economic effects of COVID-19 continuing to touch so many Americans, GEICO is extending its GEICO Giveback policy cancellation pause through May 31, 2020.

The company estimates the GEICO Giveback benefit to its customers will be approximately $2.5 billion.

On March 20, 2020, GEICO voluntarily announced it would pause policy cancellations due to non-payment and policy expiration through April 30, 2020. The company is extending the cancellation pause to further assist customers during this period of great uncertainty.

“As an insurer, we are used to being there for our customers at difficult times,” GEICO President and CEO Todd Combs said. “Our commitment to our customers is unwavering, and we are committed to supporting them through this unprecedented crisis.”

Earlier this month, GEICO announced it was providing a 15 percent credit to its private passenger auto, motorcycle and RV policyholders, where permitted. The GEICO Giveback is applied as policies come up for renewal between April 8 and Oct 7 (or April 8, 2020, and April 7, 2021, for 12-month policies). The credit also applies to new policies purchased through Oct. 7.

GEICO has also committed to offering maximum flexibility to policyholders who need special payment options and adjusting policies for customers driving less because of stay-at-home directives.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Insurance

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Expands Offerings for UK Financial Institutions, Launches D&O and Civil Liability Policies

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Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) today announced that it has introduced two new policies tailored expressly for UK financial institutions: Professional First Financial Institutions Civil Liability Insurance, and Executive First Financial Institutions D&O Liability Insurance.

Both policies clearly articulate broad coverage for liability exposures faced by large financial institutions. In an era where managing reputational risk is critical, both policies also include coverage to support crisis management and offer expansive coverage for investigations.

“Executives and professionals across Europe face significant liability exposures, and a volatile market for coverage. BHSI is pleased to provide UK financial institutions with the certainty of broad, clearly-written coverage, backed by the financial strength, stability and claims service of BHSI,” said Thomas Dilley, Head of Financial Institutions, BHSI, UK & Ireland.

Professional First Financial Institutions Civil Liability Insurance includes state-of-the-market features such as continuity coverage and express coverage for claims arising from breaches of privacy. Executive First D&O Liability Insurance includes key features designed to ensure the most reliable coverage for individuals, from automatic reinstatement of Side A limits, to an unlimited discovery period for retired executives.
Last year, BHSI introduced Professional First Asset Management Liability Insurance in the UK and Ireland.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Insurance

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Introduces Management Liability & Association Liability Policies in New Zealand

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Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company expanded its Executive & Professional Lines offerings in New Zealand with the introduction of Management Liability and Association Liability Insurance policies.

“BHSI’s new Management Liability and Association Liability policies reflect our commitment to providing broad coverage in simple, concise wordings to address the multifaceted management liability risks of today’s world,” said Cameron McLisky, Head of Executive and Professional Lines, Australasia. “They also allow us to provide private company and non-profit organizations with sound solutions backed by BHSI’s financial strength and commitment to claims handling excellence.”

BHSI’s Management Liability policy is designed to address the wide range of claims private companies can face. Brokers and Insureds can customize coverage to include Directors & Officers Liability, General Liability, Statutory Liability, Employers Liability, Employment Practices Liability and/or Fidelity Insurance.

The Association Liability policy offers non-profit organizations similar flexibility and coverage tailored to their needs, with the addition of Professional Indemnity protection.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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GEICO Insurance

GEICO Providing $2.5 Billion to Policyholders Through Policy Credits

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GEICO is providing a 15 percent credit to its auto and motorcycle customers as their policy comes up for renewal between April 8 and Oct 7. The credit will also apply to any new policies purchased during this period.

The credit is part of GEICO’s ongoing efforts to assist customers during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The average auto policy has a semi-annual premium of about $1,000 and generally covers more than one vehicle.

GEICO expects credits to average about $150 per auto policy and $30 per motorcycle policy. The company estimates the benefit to its 18 million auto and one million motorcycle customers will be approximately $2.5 billion.

Current customers can expect to see the discount when they renew. Customers do not need to take any action to receive this credit.

Shelter in place policies have reduced driving significantly. Vehicle accidents are down considerably, and although GEICO expects a return to near normal once the impacts of COVID-19 subside, GEICO remains committed to serving its customers’ changing needs in the best way it can.

“This ongoing crisis has widespread effects that will linger. That is why we wanted to give this credit for at least six months,” said GEICO President and CEO Todd Combs. “Our customers have been loyal, and we are committed to doing all we can to help them.”

Last month, GEICO announced it was pausing cancellations of coverage due to non-payment and policy expiration through at least April 30, 2020. Beyond that, the company has committed to offering maximum flexibility to policyholders who need special payment options as well as transitioning nearly all of its associates to work from home to continue providing the 24/7 service it is known for.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Insurance

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Appoints Michael Pille Head of Healthcare Underwriting in Germany

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Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance has promoted team member Michael Pille to head its fast-growing healthcare underwriting operation and team in Germany.

“As Head of Healthcare, Michael will lead our effort to service the German healthcare market and expand our local healthcare team,” said Andreas Krause, Country Manager for Germany, BHSI. “In this newly created position, Michael will elevate our ability to deliver innovative professional liability solutions for the healthcare industry, including novel SIR (stop loss) alternatives, backed by BHSI’s underwriting expertise and commitment to claims handling excellence.”

Michael, who has more than a decade of underwriting experience in the German market, joined BHSI in 2017 as Senior Underwriter, Liability. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Insurance Management and a master’s Degree in Insurance Law from Cologne University of Applied Science. Michael is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Insurance

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Rolls Out Professional First Technology Liability Insurance in Australia and New Zealand

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Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance has launched Professional First Technology Liability Insurance policies in Australia and New Zealand. Both policies clearly articulate broad, customizable professional liability protection for the full scope of services provided by technology and tech-related firms.

“BHSI is committed to simplicity and that is evident in these easy-to-navigate policy forms which are readily tailored to the individual needs and exposures of technology firms and backed by BHSI’s financial strength,” said Cameron McLisky, Head of Executive & Professional Lines for Australasia at BHSI. “We take a partnership approach to this market, with our brokers and customers collaborating with our decision makers, from underwriting, to claims service.

With BHSI’s Professional First Technology Liability Insurance, customers choose any or all of three separate towers to secure professional indemnity, cyber and general liability covers. Limits and coverage can be structured to address the individual needs and preferences of a wide variety of tech firms, including those involved in software design and development, systems integration, technology consulting, telecommunications and IT training.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Insurance National indemnity

Berkshire Hathaway’s MLMIC Offers Medical Professional Liability Coverage for Physicians Returning as Volunteers During the COVID-19 Pandemic – No New Premium Required

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As part of ongoing efforts to support our dedicated physicians throughout New York, Berkshire Hathaway’s MLMIC Insurance Company is extending medical professional liability coverage – without requiring any new premium – to retired physicians who were last insured with MLMIC and are coming back as volunteers to provide care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MLMIC defines “volunteer,” in this case, as a retired physician providing professional services for no fee, salary or other compensation with the exception of reimbursement for expenses incurred delivering those services. Qualifying physicians may apply online.

The coverage limits of the medical professional liability offered to these volunteers will be the same as what they held when actively practicing prior to retirement and when last insured by MLMIC. Coverage also includes defense costs if a claim is filed against them while volunteering.

In addition, if the returning physician previously held regulatory defense coverage, it will be provided for actions resulting from volunteer professional services. There is no new premium for this coverage, which is included through physicians’ expired policies without impact upon any presently existing tail policies.

New York physicians can access this information at https://www.mlmic.com/covid-19/returning-physicians. To request coverage, interested volunteers can apply online or call (800) ASK-MLMIC (1-800-275-6564) and ask for Underwriting.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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GEICO Insurance

Commentary: GEICO Right to Bet on Maintaining Policyholder Loyalty

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Berkshire Hathaway’s auto insurer GEICO is pausing cancellation of coverage due to non-payment and policy expiration, effectively immediately. This pause will remain in effect through April 30, 2020.

In addition, GEICO is prepared to offer maximum flexibility, including special payment plans, to those who need it once normal billing operations are scheduled to resume.

“This ongoing situation impacts everyone, and we want our policyholders to have some peace of mind knowing we’ll be there when they need us most,” said GEICO President and CEO Todd Combs.

In taking this step, GEICO is betting that maintaining policyholder loyalty is more important than trying to squeeze cash out of customers that are out of the blue in a severe cash crunch.

While they may have some policies in arrears, on the positive side for GEICO is that self-quarantining due to the Coronavirus will lead to a dramatic reduction in new claims filed due to reduced mileage.

GEICO, like other leading auto insurers, such as Progressive, Liberty Mutual, and State Farm, normally runs multiple media campaigns. The reason for this is that in recent years the battle for policyholders is primarily a branding battle, not one of service or policy features.

Capturing the wallet of the consumer through the GEICO gecko, wood chucking wildlife, and office wandering camels, is a far more effective than listing the dry insurance features that policyholders are actually purchasing.

GEICO’s doing the right thing, both for consumers and for its bottom line. After all, losing customers at a time when they are down may add to customer acquisition costs down the road when the economy revives.

If GEICO can maintain brand loyalty, it will have done more to cement itself in the heart of the consumer than all the geckos in the world ever could.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.