Kemah gets Builders capacity for new property D&F program

By Chris Munro

May 2 - (The Insurer) - Builders is providing its AM Best A capacity to Kemah Capital for a new direct and facultative (D&F) property program that the MGA has brought to market.

In a statement confirming the launch to Program Manager, the companies said the new program offers D&F coverage on a shared and layered basis to clients across a diverse group of industries and geographies.

It provides clients with what Builders and Kemah said is “extensive commercial property insurance” to policyholders across the U.S.

“Partnering with Kemah Capital represents an extraordinary opportunity for Builders to demonstrate the message we have been broadcasting to the wider market for years,” said Reed Campbell, Builders’ acting program manager for the account.

“We always take a long view on our business. We are now outpacing our growth plan and executing effectively on our long-term strategy to profitably grow in the specialty segment,” Campbell added.

Jorge Linero, Kemah’s chief underwriting officer, said partnering with Builders is consistent with the company’s philosophy of enhancing the caliber of its risk-carrying partners.

The tie-up with Atlanta, Georgia-based Builders “is a significant step forward in our stated aim of providing best-in-class solutions underpinned with steadfast security,” said Linero.

E&S property-focused MGA Kemah was launched in 2017 by PartnerRe’s former head of direct and facultative Dom Tobey alongside Linero and ex-Lloyd’s broking executive Graham Bell.

It has to date underwritten over $650 million in premium on behalf of its carrier partners.

Builders is a mutual insurance carrier that specializes in workers’ compensation, residential construction and, more recently, specialty programs business.

Alongside workers’ comp, Builders’ direct offerings include general liability, property, commercial auto, umbrella/excess and builders’ risk through a retail distribution network. Its specialty team provides capacity across a range of commercial-based programs.