IAT Insurance Group Acquires Renewal Rights for Excess and Umbrella Book from Rockhill Insurance Group

Business Wire

RALEIGH, N.C. & COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- IAT Insurance Group (IAT) announced today that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire the renewal rights and certain associated assets for a book of surplus lines excess and umbrella insurance business from Rockhill Insurance Group (Rockhill). Rockhill is a subsidiary of State Auto Mutual Insurance Company (State Auto). Financial terms were not disclosed, and the deal is expected to close May 1, 2018. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., a Stifel Company, served as financial advisor to State Auto in the transaction.

“Securing renewal rights to Rockhill’s established surplus lines excess casualty portfolio, along with several of their experienced employees, will significantly support our efforts to expand our middle-market presence,” said IAT Chief Executive Officer Bill Cunningham. “This business is a nice addition to our existing excess product offerings for the small commercial market available through our IAT Specialty business unit.”

Mike LaRocco, President and CEO of State Auto, noted, “We’re pleased we’ve reached this agreement with IAT, which upon closing will complete State Auto’s previously announced divestiture of its Specialty lines of business. I wish the team and IAT great success going forward.”

As part of the deal, IAT will consolidate Rockhill’s Kansas City, Missouri excess and umbrella operations into its own office in the city, including the on-boarding of 11 current Rockhill employees. The Rockhill portfolio consists of approximately $40 million of in force premium and focuses on providing unsupported umbrella and excess coverage for low-to-medium hazard, middle-market commercial risks. This transaction is a further strategic move in this area of business for IAT, which last fall hired Coy Rudd to serve as Senior Vice President of a new Excess Casualty – Mid Market E&S unit targeting middle-market risks written through wholesale surplus lines brokers. “When I joined IAT last year, this was the kind of focused acquisition I felt would truly kick-start the expansion of our excess liability business,” said Rudd. “The profile of this book of business fits very well within our target market.”

About IAT Insurance

IAT Insurance Group is a privately owned, specialty insurance company providing property and casualty products for businesses and individuals. With 700 employees and 13 offices across the country, IAT markets through six business units – Commercial Transportation, Specialty, Programs, Inland Marine, Excess Casualty – Mid Market E&S, and Assumed Reinsurance. The IAT Insurance Group companies are rated A- Excellent by A.M. Best. Connect with IAT Insurance Group on LinkedIn and Facebook, and learn more about the company at www.iatinsurancegroup.com.

About State Auto

State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, is a super-regional property and casualty insurance holding company. The company is primarily engaged in writing personal and business insurance products exclusively through independent insurance agencies in 33 states and is proud to be a Trusted Choice® company partner.

State Auto Mutual is part of the State Auto Group. The State Auto Group markets its insurance products throughout the United States, through independent insurance agencies, which include retail agencies and wholesale brokers. The State Auto Group is rated A- (Excellent) by the A.M. Best Company and includes State Automobile Mutual, State Auto Financial Corporation, State Auto Property & Casualty, State Auto Ohio, State Auto Wisconsin, Milbank, Meridian Security, Patrons Mutual, Rockhill Insurance, Plaza Insurance, American Compensation and Bloomington Compensation. Additional information can be found online at www.StateAuto.com.