AmTrust exits Republic personal lines business to focus on core lines

Specialty property/casualty insurance group AmTrust Financial Services has made a "strategic decision" to exit personal lines products written through its Republic General Agency carriers.

The company has entered into an agreement with Safeco Insurance, a Liberty Mutual company, to provide personal lines agents appointed with Republic an opportunity to transition their Republic policies to Safeco beginning in the third quarter of 2020.

AmTrust hopes the agreement will provide a smooth transition for Republic personal lines policyholders across Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi and New Mexico. The move is a part of company's strategy to focus on select commercial P&C products and services globally where it can differentiate its offering and bring added value.

“AmTrust is focused on our core lines where we are an industry leader and have decided to exit our personal lines business written directly through Republic,” said Jeffrey Fenster, EVP, head of North American Specialty Risk at AmTrust Financial. “We selected Safeco as our carrier partner given what we consider to be their world-class book transfer capabilities and a proven track record for smooth transitions.”

Gary Fischer, senior vice president of IA channel growth and engagement at Safeco Insurance, said: “We have an unwavering dedication to our independent agency partners and look forward to bringing our best-in-class products, people, programs and service capabilities to Republic agents and policyholders.”