Press Releases
Employers Direct Insurance Company Completes Sale of Renewal Rights for Its Direct Workers’ Compensation Policies
AGOURA HILLS, Calif.--August 25, 2009--Employers Direct Insurance Company (EDIC) (www.employersdirect.com) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell the renewal rights of its direct placed workers’ compensation insurance policies to GNW-Evergreen Insurance Services, LLC (www.gnw-evergreen.com).
Headquartered in Encino, GNW-Evergreen is one of the largest independent insurance brokerages based in Southern California. EDIC has previously announced that they are discontinuing direct sales and plan on distributing their workers’ compensation policies exclusively through independent agents and brokers in the future.
EDIC will appoint GNW-Evergreen as a producer in Arizona, California, and Nevada following the close of the sale.
“As part of our overall strategy to redesign our core workers’ compensation business, finding a broker partner with the same high commitment to service and cutting-edge risk management programs for our policyholders was of paramount importance,” said James E. Little, President and CEO, Employers Direct Insurance Company. “Our partnership with GNW-Evergreen is a critical first step in implementing our distribution plans throughout the Western United States through independent agents and brokers.”
Andrew Forchelli, partner and chief operating officer for GNW-Evergreen, stated, “We are very pleased to work with EDIC. Their commitment to policyholder service is in direct alignment with our core values,” he said.
Noting that several of EDIC’s former producers and customer service staff have recently joined GNW-Evergreen, Little pointed out, “We believe that service to EDIC policyholders at GNW-Evergreen will not only be seamlessly continued, but will be greatly enhanced by their highly regarded risk management and full account servicing and market placement capabilities. We could not be more pleased with this partnership.”
About Employers Direct:
Employers Direct
Insurance Company, Agoura Hills, Ca is a specialty writer of
workers’ compensation insurance in California and many western
states. Employers Direct claims services have been widely
acclaimed for their effectiveness in fighting fraud and abuse,
and providing loss prevention services that assist policyholders
to create safe and productive work environments. Founded in
2002, Employers Direct takes advantage of the latest technology
to provide its agent/broker partners and policyholders with 24/7
access to all policy and claims information via a secure
Internet portal. Employers Direct Insurance Company is an
indirect subsidiary of Alleghany Corporation (NYSE: Y). Visit
Employers Direct online at
www.employersdirect.com.
About GNW-Evergreen:
GNW-Evergreen
Insurance Services, LLC’s unwavering “client-first” approach and
financial independence have earned it a reputation as the
trusted choice among its more than 5,000 clients. The firm
delivers some of the most advanced and effective insurance and
risk management solutions available in the industry. GNW-Evergreen
offers commercial, professional and management liability
insurance, group benefits, industry-specific solutions, and
personal insurance including its proprietary “Private Wealth
Guard” program. Based in Encino, Calif., the firm was ranked by
the Los Angeles Business Journal as Los Angeles County’s 16th
largest insurance agency in 2008, and the sixth largest agency
within the San Fernando Valley by the San Fernando Valley
Business Journal. For more information visit
www.gnw-evergreen.com
or call 818.257.7400.
CONTACT:
Employers Direct Insurance Company
Stephanie Hlad
818-575-8545
shlad@employersdirect.com
