Exclusive: Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty’s Laufer exits as North America casualty head

By James Thaler

March 21 - (The Insurer) - Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty North American head of liability insurance Carol Laufer has left the company almost four years after joining from Zurich North America.

A spokesperson for AGCS confirmed that the executive is “no longer with the company”.

The official confirmation comes after senior broking and underwriting sources told The Insurer that the executive was leaving the company.

Further details regarding Laufer’s departure and AGCS’ succession planning for the role could not immediately be confirmed.

Before joining AGCS in June 2021, Laufer had spent nearly six years with Zurich North America, where as head of excess casualty she was responsible for the segment’s profitability, strategy, staffing, underwriting quality and service.

She previously spent seven years with ACE before that firm acquired Chubb and rebranded, and earlier spent 11 years with AIG and nine years with Reliance National, along with time spent at General Star and The Hartford.

Laufer’s departure is the latest notable shake up of U.S. excess casualty talent in recent months.

The Insurer broke the news last week that Zurich North America has recruited Atlanta-based Markel excess casualty executive Steve Tralongo and a trio of his colleagues, as the insurer looks to continue building out its wholesale offering.

In January,The Insurer reported that Nationwide’s retail excess casualty head Glen Curley will be retiring this month and that Chubb’s North America major accounts excess head Joe Fobert was joining Everest, where has since taken up a role as senior vice president for casualty reinsurance strategy.

In December, The Insurer broke the news that Liberty Mutual’s longtime excess casualty head for major accounts Jon Tellekamp had joined Axa XL.