Westfield Specialty introduces environmental liability division

Westfield Specialty introduces environmental liability division | Insurance Business America

Environmental

Westfield Specialty introduces environmental liability division

This marks its sixth line of business

Environmental

By
Mika Pangilinan

Westfield Specialty is expanding its range of insurance offerings with the introduction of an environmental underwriting team, marking its sixth line of business.

Leading the new environmental liability division is Dennis Willette, as he holds the position of senior vice president environmental.

Willette has over 15 years of experience in both the environmental consulting and insurance industries, which offers him a significant level of underwriting expertise that will be leveraged to provide creative and innovative solutions to clients with environmental exposures.

“Westfield Specialty has given our team a fantastic opportunity to use our industry experience and expertise to deliver creative and innovative solutions to our clients,” said Willette. “Our best-in-class environmental underwriters understand the nuances of this industry, the operational and service risks, as well as the financial impact facing clients each time a new project commences, or a contractor-related professional liability exposure exists.”

Westfield Specialty’s new environmental offering

The environmental contractors’ pollution and professional liability (CPPL) policy is available on a non-admitted basis for accounts with an effective date of June 1, or later. Coverage can be obtained either as a standalone policy for contractors’ pollution liability (CPL) or as a combined policy for CPL and professional liability (CPL/PL). The policies, backed by the group rating of “A” (Excellent) by AM Best, are written on non-admitted paper and are available in all states.

The team at Westfield Specialty Environmental also has plans to expand its range of environmental liability products, as they aim to introduce an owner’s protective pollution and professional indemnity (O3PI) policy to further address the unique needs of their clients.

“We are excited to add environmental insurance, our sixth product line, and thrilled to have Dennis leading the team,” said Westland Specialty president Jack Kuhn. “Dennis offers unique underwriting expertise due to his experience in environmental consulting and the insurance industry. I am confident Dennis and his team will continue to make a difference for our clients by utilizing their industry expertise to deliver superior service and customized solutions.”

Westfield Specialty launched in July 2021 and is currently underwriting five other lines of business: E&S property, E&S excess casualty, professional lines, financial institutions, and management liability.

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