USI in the News

USI’s National Construction Practice Leader, Danette Beck, was recently interviewed by Insurance Journal on the construction insurance market and the challenges and opportunities construction contractors are facing. “We kept saying that the market needed to get hard because it was so competitive, and at some point in time, there was going to be a tipping point. The pandemic certainly was that tipping point,” Beck shared. “The good news for contractors is that insurance capacity remains available unlike in other hard market times. During the last true hard market there was a capacity issue; there were contractors out there that could not find insurance. That is not the case in today’s hard market. It’s still competitive, and there are alternatives like private equity and other alternative types of markets coming into the marketplace.” Read the full article.

USI’s newly released Mid-Year Commercial P&C Insurance Market Outlook Report was recently featured in PropertyCasualty360. Recent catastrophic events, the pandemic, and other market pressures continue to produce rate increases, capacity reductions, and tighter underwriter scrutiny. Despite these negative pressures, USI’s mid-year report outlines the steps organizations can take to significantly improve their risk profiles and manage costs. The report also outlines the current market conditions and offers suggestions and solutions to help organizations reduce potential exposures. Request a copy of the full report and view PropertyCasualty360’s coverage online (free online registration required).

USI Consulting Group was recently recognized as one of the 10 largest Defined Benefit administration service providers in PLANSPONSOR’s 2021 Defined Benefit Administration Survey, as measured by both participants and numbers of plans fully outsourced. Read the latest issue of PLANSPONSOR to learn more.

USI’s Executive & Professional Risk Solutions (EPS) National Practice Advisor, Paul King, was recently interviewed by Business Insurance on the evolving risk management considerations associated with the sale of digital artwork represented by non-fungible tokens (NFTs). In the article, King comments on the risk management concerns for those involved in the sale of NFTs, sharing: “The first place you’re going to look, but not the only place, is your errors and omissions insurance — is there anything from a coverage exclusion standpoint that would preclude coverage?” Read the full article.  

USI’s National Construction Practice Leader, Danette Beck, was recently interviewed by Business Insurance on the challenges utility contractors working in wildfire-prone areas face when it comes to obtaining liability insurance coverage and why maintaining strong risk management protocols is critical to their success. “Insurers that are willing to provide liability coverage to contractors for wildfire risks want to see strong risk management protocols in place,” said Beck. “What are your vegetation management protocols? What is the protocol if it is a high wind day with dry air temperatures? What kind of protocols do you put in place in order to ensure the likelihood that a fire won’t be created by the work that you’re doing?” Read the full article.  

USI Insurance Services (“USI”), a world leader in risk management, employee benefit and retirement plan consulting, today announced the completion of its acquisition of the insurance business offered through Northwest Insurance Services from Northwest Bank, a subsidiary of Northwest Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: NWBI).  

Northwest Insurance Services is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northwest Bank, offering property and casualty, life, disability and long-term care insurance, as well as group health, life and disability employee benefits.

Northwest Bank’s President and CEO, Ron Seiffert stated: “In searching for the right partner for our insurance business, we had two key requirements – positioning our Insurance Services group with a proven industry leader in property and casualty insurance, employee benefits, personal risk and retirement consulting, and partnering with an established firm that would continue to value the contributions of all Northwest Insurance Services employees. USI met both requirements, and I am confident their national capabilities, delivered through longstanding, passionate and committed local service teams, will continue to deliver the superior level of service and solutions our clients have come to expect.”

USI’s Chairman and CEO, Michael J. Sicard added: “We are thrilled to welcome the clients and talented professionals from Northwest Insurance Services to USI. Partnering together, we look forward to delivering a uniquely exceptional and impactful experience for our current and future clients through the USI ONE Advantage^®.”

About USI
USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. USI connects over 8,000 industry-leading professionals from approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage^®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

About Northwest Bancshares, Inc.
Northwest Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company of Northwest Bank, which is headquartered in Warren, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1896, Northwest Bank is a full-service financial institution offering a complete line of business and personal banking products, as well as employee benefits and wealth management services. As of March 31, 2021, Northwest operated 162 full-service community banking offices and eight free standing drive-through facilities in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and Indiana. Northwest Bancshares, Inc.’s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NWBI”). Additional information regarding Northwest Bancshares, Inc. and Northwest Bank can be accessed on-line at www.northwest.com.

Tressa Bishop, VP, from USI’s Community Association Insurance Practice based in Colorado, was recently named one of Insurance Business America Magazine’s Top Producers. Commenting on the recognition, Bishop shared: “It is an honor to be recognized, and I truly appreciate the support and collaboration of my team members at USI. I'm looking forward to continuing to help my clients and referrals with their risk management needs, especially in this tough property market.” Read more.

For the third year in a row, USI has been named as a ‘Best of the Best’ employer for multicultural women in the insurance industry by Professional WOMAN’s Magazine (PWM). PWM’s annual ‘Best of the Best’ program is designed to recognize leading U.S. organizations actively engaged in the advancement of multicultural women in all aspects of business and employment to ensure equal opportunity. USI’s SVP & Chief Human Resources Officer, Kim Van Orman, shared: “We are honored to once again be the only insurance brokerage and consulting firm recognized as one of PWM’s ‘Best of the Best’ organizations for multicultural women in insurance. Women comprise over 60 percent of USI’s more than 8,000 team members, representing diverse backgrounds, career paths, and unique life experiences. Through continued investments in USI’s innovative employee program offerings, we are committed to advancing a diverse and inclusive culture where all women feel a strong sense of belonging and support.” Read more.

USI’s Frank Abbatiello recently caught up with PropertyCasualty360 to discuss the latest risks and opportunities facing construction business owners. In the article, Abbatiello explores the many challenges facing the construction industry due to COVID-19 and how agents can respond to their clients in need. Abbatiello states, “As business owners take on contracts, they need to make sure the proper parties are taking on responsibility for any claims or mistakes that could arise. Proper risk transfer can also help clients save money on insurance premiums.” Read the full article. 

USI’s Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Kim Van Orman, was recently recognized as one of the National Diversity Council’s Top 50 HR Professionals for 2021. This annual award program honors HR professionals from diverse organizations representing various industries across the United States. Honorees include HR professionals committed to driving change in the areas of diversity and inclusion and advancing the HR field in meaningful and influential ways within their respective organizations and society-at-large. Commenting on the recognition, Van Orman shared: “It is an honor to receive this recognition from the National Diversity Council. I am extremely fortunate to work alongside a diverse group of more than 8,000 USI professionals who are passionate about advancing our I’m With U diversity and inclusion program efforts in support of a culture where everyone feels safe, included, engaged and heard.” Awardees will be formally recognized at the upcoming 17th Annual National Diversity and Leadership Conference on April 21-22 and April 28-29. Learn more.

USI’s National Executive & Professional Risk Solutions Practice Advisor, Nadia Hoyte, will take part in Advisen’s upcoming Cyber Risk Trends Webinar on Wednesday, April 14, at 11 a.m. (EDT). The webinar will include a special focus on small and mid-sized enterprises, industry experts will weigh-in on the latest cyber risk developments, analyze cyber loss events and provide updates on the current cyber insurance market. While large organizations might make the headlines more often, smaller businesses face the same types of cyber risks, especially when it comes to ransomware. The stark difference, smaller businesses may not have the resources to improve their cybersecurity postures or bounce back quickly after an event. Panel experts will outline how organizations can work with their insurance partners to get a handle on today’s evolving cyber risk landscape and provide actionable insight into effective pre-breach mitigation. Register for this complimentary webinar.

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day dedicated to celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. This year’s IWD theme is #ChooseToChallenge, which focuses on how individuals can choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality while celebrating women’s achievements. In celebration of this year’s theme, USI developed a special video showcasing the unique perspectives of our team members. Additionally, throughout March, USI’s I’m With U diversity, equity and inclusion program will focus on uncovering the inequalities women face in the workplace and their communities and how our team members can take positive action to help advance a more inclusive, gender-equal world.

USI was recently recognized as a winner in Treasury & Risk’s 2020 Alexander Hamilton Awards. For more than two decades, the Alexander Hamilton Awards from Treasury & Risk have recognized companies taking big leaps forward in treasury, finance and risk management through process innovations and technology implementations. USI was one of three winning organizations recognized in the Technology Excellence category for its innovative use of technology to streamline treasury processes and create dramatic efficiency improvements. Commenting on the recognition, USI’s Director of Treasury, Nancy Colwell, shared, “Even though we’re small, our treasury group is always looking for ways to enhance our processes so that we become a better partner to the business. That’s the natural progression of striving to be a world-class treasury department.” Read the full article (Free account registration required).

USI Insurance Services (“USI”), a world leader in risk management, employee benefit and retirement consulting, today announced the acquisition of Spokane, Washington-based Inland Insurance, Inc. (“Inland”). Founded in 2006, Inland Insurance is an independent risk management and employee benefits agency serving businesses and individuals throughout eastern Washington. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Jim Dinneen, owner and president, Inland Insurance, stated: “USI is an established leader in the risk management, insurance brokerage and consulting market, known for their best-in-class solutions including proprietary analytics, local and national resources, and team-based planning. This partnership will further strengthen our firm’s longstanding reputation for delivering superior solutions, expertise and service to our valued clients in Spokane and throughout eastern Washington.”

Chris Prentice, USI regional CEO, added: “We look forward to welcoming Jim and the talented professionals from Inland Insurance to the USI family. Together, we are committed to delivering an unmatched level of service and expertise for our current and future clients by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®.”

About USI
USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, New York, USI connects over 8,000 industry-leading professionals from approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage^®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

USI’s General Counsel & Secretary, Ernest Newborn, was recently recognized by the National Diversity Council as one of their Top 100 Most Influential African American Leaders in Business for 2021. The annual list recognizes professionals across multiple industries who are not only leading with excellence but are changing the landscape of their industries by making them more inclusive and diverse for future generations. Commenting on the recognition, Newborn shared: “It is an honor to be recognized by the National Diversity Council and included among this impressive group of executives who are influencing and impacting the corporate community. I also have a deep sense of pride in USI for its commitment to building and nurturing a culture where inclusiveness is a reflex, not merely an initiative, and guides how we build our teams and cultivate our leaders.”

USI’s Chairman and CEO, Mike Sicard, recently sat down with Insurance Business America Magazine for their January ‘Industry Icon’ feature. In the article, Mike discusses his career path, from landing his first job in insurance to joining USI. He also explains the USI ONE Advantage^® value proposition and what led to its development, along with USI’s continued focus on innovation --- for our clients, team members and communities. “Just like we’ll never stop innovating for our clients, we’ll never stop striving to create a truly special place for our people,” shared Sicard. “We invest in people, innovation and talent, not with a short-term mindset, but to be leading for our clients and people 10, 15, 20 years from now.” Read the full article online or in the January issue of Insurance Business America Magazine.

USI’s Chief Sales Officer, Sandra Usleman, was recently named to The Modern Sale’s list of the Top 100 Global Sales Leaders for 2021! Modern Sale is dedicated to news and views about the sales industry and emerging technology. The top100 professionals were nominated and vetted against thousands of applicants from various industries, known for their commitment to team and leadership development and their ability to adapt and embrace the new technologies. They have also been recognized for their proven ability to navigate through turbulent times and rise to the challenge of an unexpected global crisis with grace, collaboration, and commitment to their teams. Commenting on the recognition, Usleman shared: “I am humbled to be recognized among this amazing group of leaders, but the real recognition goes to the entire USI team of committed and talented technical resources, sales professionals, leaders, client advocates, and most of all, our incredible clients.” Read more. 

USI Insurance Services (“USI”), a world leader in risk management, employee benefit and retirement consulting, today announced the acquisition of Colorado Springs, Colorado-based CB Insurance, LLC. CB Insurance and its predecessors have proudly served the needs of the Colorado community for over 100 years and is currently one of the largest insurance brokerage firms in the state, specializing in commercial and personal risk insurance programs. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Commenting on the announcement, Steve Schneider, president, CB Insurance, stated: “From our founding, CB Insurance has maintained a long-standing reputation for delivering innovative risk management solutions and service to businesses and individuals throughout Colorado. This partnership marks an exciting time for our firm as we join forces with USI and advance our legacy for delivering client-focused solutions built on a shared sense of commitment, innovation and client advocacy.”

Donald Woods, USI’s regional CEO, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Steve and the talented professionals from CB Insurance to the USI family. Partnering as one, we look forward to strengthening USI’s commercial and personal risk expertise in service to our current and future clients throughout Colorado and beyond.”

About USI

USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, New York, USI connects over 8,000 industry-leading professionals from approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

USI’s National Real Estate Practice Leader, Brian Dove, was recently interviewed by Business Insurance on the continued rise in commercial property insurance rates and what policyholders can expect in 2021. “There was a ‘wide variance’ in renewal outcomes for January 1,” stated Dove. “Accounts exposed to natural catastrophes, such as hurricane, hail, flood or wildfire, and especially those that experienced losses in those areas are bearing the brunt of the increases in the marketplace.” Read the full article.

USI Insurance Services (“USI”), a world leader in risk management, employee benefit and retirement consulting, today announced the acquisition of Creative Planning Benefits, LLC, the employee benefits division of Overland Park, Kansas-based Creative Planning, Inc. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Commenting on the announcement, Bob Nonemaker, managing partner for Creative Planning Benefits, stated: “This new partnership with USI will further strengthen our ability to help employers optimize their benefit plans through comprehensive cost containment, best-in-class pricing, regulatory compliance and superior account service. Our valued clients will continue to work with the talented team of local employee benefit professionals they’ve come to know and trust, in addition to gaining access to USI’s expanded suite of industry-leading tools, solutions and expertise.”

Donald Woods, USI regional CEO, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Bob and the talented professionals from Creative Planning Benefits to the USI family. Together, we look forward to offering an unmatched level of service and expertise for our current and future clients throughout Kansas by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, a proprietary platform delivering innovative employee benefit and risk management solutions with bottom-line financial impact for clients.”

About USI

USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, New York, USI connects over 8,000 industry-leading professionals from approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.