Preferred Employers Insurance, a Berkley company, announced on September 19, 2025, that Kimberly Wagner has joined the organization as Assistant Vice President of Product & Underwriting. The company highlighted her extensive background in underwriting, operations, and product development.

Extensive Experience in Insurance Operations

Wagner brings more than 25 years of experience in multi-line small commercial and middle market underwriting, as well as workers compensation claims product development. Her professional background includes a record of scaling operations and delivering growth.

Key Role and Responsibilities

In her new position, Wagner will lead the operations and management of Preferred’s core and middle market segments. She will focus on driving profitability and shaping a distribution strategy that aligns with customer needs. Her collaborative leadership style supports the company’s goal of strengthening operations and expanding market presence.

Leadership Endorsement

Eric Hansen, Senior Vice President of Preferred Employers Insurance, said, “Kimberly's leadership enhances our ability to deliver tailored solutions to California employers while maintaining operational excellence. Her deep product expertise and strategic mindset will help us grow with intention — expanding our reach while staying true to our mission of being California's preferred workers compensation provider.”

Professional Background and Community Involvement

Wagner earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Colorado Denver and holds the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she serves as Chair of her community's Arts & Culture Commission.

About Preferred Employers Insurance

Preferred Employers Insurance, a member company of W. R. Berkley Corporation, provides workers compensation insurance exclusively for California employers. Founded in 1998, the company is recognized for delivering a high standard of care for injured workers. W. R. Berkley Corporation’s insurance subsidiaries hold an A+ (Superior) rating from A.M. Best Company and are regarded as leaders in the property casualty insurance industry.

Get the latest insurance market updates and discover exclusive program opportunities at ProgramBusiness.com. 

Berkley Cyber Risk Solutions, a business unit of W. R. Berkley Corporation, has announced a new endorsement aimed at reimbursing specific personal and logistical costs incurred by employees responding to cyber breach events.

Incident Responder Enhancement Endorsement

The Incident Responder Enhancement Endorsement provides reimbursement for expenses such as:

• Canceled vacations

• Child or elder care costs

• Corporate safety-related expenditures

• Crisis counseling services

According to the company, these benefits are offered outside the limits of liability and carry no retention.

Rich Sheridan, chief claims officer at Berkley Cyber Risk Solutions, said the endorsement was created after the claims team identified common stressors faced by employees managing breach incidents. Sheridan noted that financial burdens during such events can affect an employee’s ability to focus on resolving the crisis.

Broader Cyber Initiatives

The endorsement builds on Berkley’s broader involvement in the cyber insurance space. Earlier in the year, Berkley Re Solutions partnered with insurtech managing general agent Coterie Insurance to offer cyber coverage through Coterie’s platform. This offering is designed for small businesses and includes:

• Incident response resources
• Forensic services
• Preventative cybersecurity guidance

Berkley Re has also developed Turnkey Solutions, a platform to support program administrators and managing general agents (MGAs). This platform provides reinsured solutions across multiple lines of coverage, including cyber, and is geared toward emerging distribution models such as insurtechs and niche MGAs.

Addressing Emerging Cyber Risks

The introduction of new cyber coverages comes amid growing concern over risks linked to artificial intelligence. Threats now include:

• AI-generated malware
• Automated phishing
• Deepfake technology

Industry experts have also been exploring new financial mechanisms to manage large-scale cyber risk. The Geneva Association has highlighted cyber catastrophe bonds as one potential solution. These instruments, still in early stages of adoption, could help transfer systemic cyber risk to capital markets and provide additional capacity beyond what traditional insurance carriers may be able to offer.

Microbusinesses are booming! From special event vendors to e-commerce sellers building niche empires from their living rooms, the entrepreneurial spirit is all over. But, many of these businesses are still underserved when it comes to affordable, tailored insurance. We’re changing that with Berkley's Small Business Solutions Special Event Vendors & E-commerce Retailers Program designed for modern micro-enterprises.

Ideal Clients Include:

• Special Event Vendors like:
  • Coffee carts, concession contractors, home décor & gift booths
  • Pop-up snack stands, pet supply vendors
  • Freelance DJs, musicians, and event planners — yes, with professional liability
• E-commerce Retailers selling via Amazon, Etsy, or eBay:
  • Clothing, cosmetics, jewelry, grocery specialties, and more
  • These are the real businesses driving local economies — and they deserve real insurance solutions.

What Makes Our Offering Distinctive

• Blanket Additional Insured
• Spoilage, Theft, and Equipment Breakdown included
• Property + Liability bundle
• Professional Liability for many eligible classes
• Built for businesses with under $1M revenue

Whether your client works from home, a temporary booth, or shared warehouse space — we’ve got them covered. Stay informed and ahead of the curve — explore more industry insights and program opportunities at ProgramBusiness.com.

From resume writers to wedding officiants, America’s service economy runs on microbusinesses. These independent professionals often juggle multiple roles, and yet, when they try to get insurance, they’re either overpaying or overlooked entirely. At Berkley Small Business Solutions, we created a program just for them.

About Our Independent Service Contractors Program

This Micro-BOP solution is made for non-construction service professionals who work from home, from a booth, or on the move. We offer broad protection, including professional liability, for many service classes.

Ideal Clients Include:

• Business Services like:
  • Bookkeepers, Graphic Designers, Appraisers
  • Event Planners, Freelance Performers, Data Entry
  • Coaches, Language Tutors, Translators
  • Travel Planners, Resume Writers, and more
• Home & Personal Services like:
  • DJs, Fitness Instructors, Makeup Artists
  • Lawn Care Pros, Pet Sitters, House Cleaners
  • Computer & Jewelry Repair, Aquarium Cleaners
  • Personal Shoppers, Yoga Instructors, Wedding Officiants

Even genealogy investigators and taxidermists have a place here. This is coverage that finally fits the way people work today.

What Makes Our Offering Distinctive

• Professional Liability, where applicable
• Easy quote + bind platform
• Built for businesses earning under $1M
• Ideal for home-based and mobile professionals

Now seeking agencies that serve and support these hardworking professionals.

Small businesses are the heart of Main Street America. But for too long, many have been underserved by rigid, expensive Business Owners Policy (BOP) offerings that don’t reflect their real needs. At Berkley Small Business Solutions, we believe in right-sized coverage built for today’s retail shops, professional offices, and neighborhood services, not yesterday’s offerings.

Introducing Our Mainstreet BOP

A flexible, affordable solution designed to help independent agents serve more clients.

What Makes Our Offering Distinctive

• 100+ eligible BOP classes, and growing
• Enhanced coverage options:
  • Professional Liability (available for certain class codes)
  • Cyber Liability
  • Employment Practices Liability
  • Hired & Non-Owned Auto (select states)

Ideal Clients Include:

• Barbers and Hair Salons
• Florists
• Funeral Homes
• Optical and Hearing Centers
• Professional and Medical Offices
• Retail: Specialty Meat & Seafood Stores, Clothing, Auto parts (no service or repair)

If you’re working with Mainstreet businesses, this program could be the perfect fit. Download the full flyer for program details Stay informed and ahead of the curve — explore more industry insights and program opportunities at ProgramBusiness.com.

The surge in independent tech professionals — from computer consultants and cybersecurity pros to app developers and digital media managers — has created a booming information technology microbusiness economy. But there’s a problem: Many of these professionals can’t access quality insurance at a reasonable price. Why? Traditional Businessowners Policies (BOP) often come with high premiums or simply don’t fit the unique risks of home-based or remote tech consultants. And the E&S market? Not always a great experience for smaller clients.

That’s Why We Built the Technology Consultants Program

At Berkley Small Business Solutions, we created a specialized Micro-BOP and a proprietary Tec-Guard Errors & Omissions Liability Coverage to meet the needs of this underserved market with a clear, easy solution that agents can trust.

What Makes Our Offering Distinctive 

• Claims-made technology E&O liability that matches the business liability occurrence limits
• Responsive coverage for errors, omissions or allegations arising from a broad array technology products, including failure to deliver on time
• Blanket Additional Insured in both General Liability and Errors & Omissions forms
• Automatic Extended Reporting Period for 12 months in basic form and premium
• Bundled Coverages in a Single Policy: Property + Liability + Professional Liability
• Fast online quoting platform
• Designed for home-based businesses with revenues under $500K

Ideal Clients Include:

• Web designers
• Digital marketers
• Computer techs
• App developers
• Cybersecurity contractors
• Data conversion specialists
• And more ...

If you’re working with small tech firms or solopreneurs, this technology consultants program could be the perfect fit. Download the full flyer for program details. Get the latest insurance market updates and discover exclusive program opportunities at ProgramBusiness.com.

W.R. Berkley Corporation (WRB) saw its stock surge to an all-time high following news that Japan’s Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance will acquire a 15% stake in the company. The move signals a significant vote of confidence in the U.S.-based insurer and strengthens ties between the two firms.

Mitsui Sumitomo plans to purchase the shares through open-market transactions or third-party deals without acquiring stock directly from W.R. Berkley or the Berkley family. The Berkley family, which holds around 16% of the company’s common stock, will retain its full position and continue to occupy two board seats.

Under the agreement, Mitsui Sumitomo will align its voting with the Berkley family once it reaches a 4.9% ownership threshold. At 12.5%, the family will support the nomination of a Mitsui representative to the board. The partnership is not expected to impact W.R. Berkley’s day-to-day operations.

The acquisition is projected to be completed by March 2026, pending regulatory approval. WRB stock rose 7.5% on the news and has gained nearly 22% year-to-date. The company now ranks seventh in the high-performing property and casualty insurance group tracked by Investor’s Business Daily.

Stay informed and ahead of the curve — explore more industry insights and program opportunities at ProgramBusiness.com.

Berkley Re has introduced Berkley Re Turnkey Solutions, a new division focused on providing reinsured turnkey solutions to carriers, managing general agents (MGAs), program administrators (PAs), and insurtech firms. The initiative aims to broaden Berkley Re’s reinsurance portfolio with scalable solutions supported by industry expertise.

Comprehensive Insurance Solutions

The division will cater to both commercial and personal insurance lines, offering coverage in several specialized areas, including:

• Cyber insurance – Addressing the rising risks associated with digital threats.
• Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) – Providing protection against workplace-related claims.
• Contractors professional liability (E&O) – Covering errors and omissions in contracting services.
• Crime insurance – Mitigating financial losses due to fraudulent activities.
• Workplace violence coverage – Supporting commercial entities against workplace-related incidents.
• Violent Event Protection coverage – Extending coverage to personal lines for incidents involving violence.

Leveraging Industry Strength

Berkley Re Turnkey Solutions plans to collaborate with partners to develop new insurance products while leveraging the broader capabilities of W. R. Berkley Corporation. The parent company’s subsidiaries maintain an A+ (Superior) rating with a Financial Size Category XV from AM Best, reflecting its financial strength and stability. Christopher Ellis, senior vice president and head of Turnkey Solutions, emphasized the company’s commitment to refining its people, products, and processes to enhance operational efficiency and client services.

Growth and Expansion Initiatives

The launch of Berkley Re Turnkey Solutions follows a strong financial performance for W. R. Berkley Corporation, which reported a fourth-quarter net income of $576.1 million for common shareholders—a 45% increase compared to the previous year. Premium growth was supported by an average rate increase of 7.7% across all lines (excluding workers’ compensation), with total premiums reaching $11.97 billion for the year. Beyond its U.S. expansion, Berkley Insurance Company recently received regulatory approval to open a branch in India’s GIFT City, Gujarat, under the name Berkley Insurance Company, IFSC Branch. This marks a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the international market.

Looking Ahead

With the introduction of Berkley Re Turnkey Solutions, the company aims to enhance its reinsurance capabilities and deliver innovative solutions to its partners. By leveraging its financial strength and expertise, Berkley Re continues to adapt to industry demands and expand its global footprint in the reinsurance sector.