Liberty Mutual Launches New Distribution Model
Liberty has announced a new distribution model for its U.S. business in order to improve broker access to the “full suite” of Liberty Mutual’s commercial and specialty insurance products.
We’ve organized the country into six geographic regions, each of which will be managed by a regional executive,” explains Shaun Kelly, President, Global Risk Solutions Distribution. “Each region will have a number of branch executives who will oversee broker relationships on a local level. This structure provides distribution partners access to the full capability of Liberty and Ironshore more easily, and will create new opportunities for us to work together in a multiline, collaborative way.”
The new regional executives are:
- Ron Gleason, South Central Regional Executive
- Chris Johnston, Midwest Regional Executive
- Amy Lochhead, Southeast Regional Executive
- David Russo, Mid Atlantic Regional Executive
- Bob Thomas, Northeast Regional Executive
- Adam Witten, Western Regional Executive
In addition to the regional executives, Liberty Mutual has appointed Ben Johnson as Wholesale Distribution Executive. Johnson will focus on optimizing relationships with wholesale distribution partners across North America.
Norfolk & Dedham Launches Smartphone Telematics Program with Cambridge Mobile Telematics
The Norfolk & Dedham Group announced the launch of its new smartphone app N&Drive TM. Partnering with Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT), the new app features rewards and Family Sharing features that encourage sustained improvement in driving performance.
Our commitment to the communities in which we live and work is at the heart of our investment in N&Drive,” said the Norfolk & Dedham Group’s chief operating officer, Victor Pepin. “With telematics proven to lead to sustained improvement in driving habits, we are excited to see the positive impact to our book of business. I have enjoyed using the app myself.”
Users earn rewards for safe driving that can be redeemed for gift cards to popular brands like Amazon, Starbucks, and Apple.
Family Sharing allows families to link their accounts to share driving scores, trip histories and locations. While families compete for the leaderboard, parents are armed with real data to coach their teens against aggressive and distracted driving habits.
“Long-term user engagement is critical for the success of Behavior Based Insurance telematics programs,” said Katherine Wellman, vice president of product at CMT. “We are excited to partner with Norfolk & Dedham to engage drivers with reward cards for safe behaviors, as well as family sharing to enable parents to coach their teens on safe driving.”
N&Drive records and scores trips based on key driving behaviors, including speeding, hard-braking, cornering, distraction and harsh acceleration. Users also receive personalized dashboards, score trends, trip details, driving trends across key behaviors and personalized driving tips.
N&Drive is currently only available to existing private passenger auto policyholders.
IBHS Issues Its Winter Resources For Massachusetts Home and Business Owners
After a series of severe winter storms resulted in $2.9 billion in insured losses during the first quarter of 2018, making sure your policyholders are ready for the 2018-19 winter season is a priority.
According to Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) data, a frozen pipe can lead to a pipe burst, which can result in more than $5,000 in damage to a home or business. Thirty-seven percent of pipe bursts occur in a basement. And, according to the National Fire Protection Association, 40 percent of home heating fires are caused by space heaters.
IBHS winter season resources can help Massachusetts home and business owners avoid troubling ice dams, the risk of snow overload on roofs, freezing pipes and structure fires. Before the heavy snow, ice and subzero temperatures arrive in the commonwealth, now is the time for homeowners and business owners to prepare for severe winter conditions and reduce their risks of property damage.
IBHS’ Winter Weather Checklist for Homes and Businesses provides valuable tips for personal and commercial insureds to prepare for a power outage, prevent a roof collapse, avoid a fire caused by a heating source and how to prevent frozen pipes.
Additional IBHS winter risk mitigation resources Massachusetts agents and carriers can share with their insureds include:
- Preventing Damage from Frozen Pipes
- Preventing Ice Dams
- Preventing Roof Collapse
- Alternative Heating Sources Guide
- Installing Weather Strips and Seals
- Commercial Winter Weather Guidance
