(BRK.A), (BRK.B)
General Star Management Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Reinsurance Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway company, has launched “Encore!”, a trio of specialized product liability coverages.
The three different coverages are designed to protect manufacturers, importers and distributors from product liability exposures arising out of discontinued products, mergers or acquisitions, or other past product exposures.
The coverages include:
• Discontinued Products coverage is available on both occurrence and claims-made forms, depending on individual risk characteristics. A three year policy term is standard and can be increased to five years where eligible. With premiums that are fully earned at inception and non-adjustable, the policy offers a single aggregate for the policy term. Additional insured status for the purchasing company is an option, subject to eligibility requirements. General Star provides primary limits of up to $2,000,000; excess limits are available depending on the applicant’s risk profile.
• Retroactive Limits of Liability provides protection for a merger or acquisition scenario in which the seller has no or inadequate product liability coverage. General Star provides claims-made coverage with limits of up to $1,000,000, with a one day policy term and a customized reporting period designed to meet the requirements of the merger/acquisition. Retro dates of up to five years are available, subject to eligibility.
• Liability Trigger Conversion provides “Nose” coverage under a variety of scenarios when a business converts its liability insurance from a claims-made to an occurrence form. Protection is provided on an occurrence basis, with a Liability Trigger Conversion endorsement. Nose coverage is provided on a one year term and is renewable annually. Limits of up to $2,000,000 per occurrence are available for eligible applicants. Excess coverage will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
“We are pleased to announce this branded platform of specialized product liability coverages,” said Cole Palmer, Vice President and Casualty and Professional Division Manager. “Encore!” represents a distillation of 25 years of General Star expertise with wide ranging product liability exposures, and with the changes in product lines or ownership faced by manufacturers, importers and distributors.”
Marty Hacala, President & CEO, added, “The ‘Encore!’ brand is General Star’s latest expression of its commitment to the product liability marketplace. With unsurpassed financial stability, a veteran corps of underwriting and claims professionals, and an enduring appetite for the most challenging parts of the product liability life cycle, we are pleased to bring these strengths together under the ‘Encore!’ banner.”
© 2016 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.