Grange Insurance Names New President of Commercial Lines

Grange Insurance has named 30-year industry veteran Elizabeth Dinnin president of its commercial lines.

In her new position, Dinnin, who joined Grange in 2008, will be responsible for growing the company's $200 million book of business. Dinnin, who previously served as vice president of Grange's commercial package business, replaces Gregory S. Adkins, who retired earlier this year.

Dinnin cited have the soft market as an ongoing challenge. "We have shrinking profit margins, decreasing exposure bases, and the expectations our insureds are putting on us are ever-changing.”

Dinnin's promotion marks the second executive change at Grange this month. Earlier, Grange named John Ammendola as its president of personal lines (BestWire, Aug. 17, 2010). In January, Grange named Robert V. James its chief executive officer. (BestWire, Jan. 27, 2010).

The Grange Mutual Casualty Group includes Grange Mutual Casualty Co., Grange Property & Casualty Insurance Co., Trustgard Insurance Co., Grange Indemnity Insurance Co., Grange Insurance Co. of Michigan, Integrity Mutual Insurance Co., and Integrity Property & Casualty Co. In addition to the property/casualty insurance operations, the group also includes a life subsidiary, Grange Life Insurance Co. Grange Mutual Casualty Pool's direct property/casualty business is split approximately 77% personal lines, 20% commercial lines and approximately 3% combined, according to BestLink, which provides online access to A.M. Best's Global Insurance & Banking Database. The pool uses a network of independent agents to distribute its insurance products and writes primarily in Ohio and 12 other Midwestern and Southern states.

The Grange Mutual Casualty Pool's member companies currently have a Best's Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent).

(By Diana Rosenberg, senior associate editor, BestWeek)