W.R. Berkley Corporation announced the formation of Berkley International Fianzas México S.A. and Berkley International Seguros México S.A. Both have been granted authorization to commence operations by Comisión Nacional de Seguros y Fianzas (CNSF) and will begin offering coverages to clients throughout Mexico in the next few weeks. Berkley International Fianzas México will focus on surety business, while Berkley International Seguros México will offer a broad array of specialty commercial insurance products and services.Guillermo Espinosa Barragan has been named general director of Berkley International Fianzas México and Javier Garcia Ortiz de Zarate has been named general director of Berkley International Seguros México. Mr. Espinosa has nearly 25 years of experience in the property casualty insurance industry, predominately focused in the surety segment. He most recently served as regional director for a Mexican surety subsidiary of a leading insurer. Mr. Garcia has over 15 years of experience in the property casualty insurance industry, predominately focused on underwriting in Mexico and Argentina. He most recently served as regional director for property casualty insurance in Mexico for a major insurance company. The appointments are effective immediately.
W. Robert Berkley, Jr., chief executive officer and president of W. R. Berkley Corporation, commented, "Mexico is a vibrant market with relatively low insurance penetration that provides significant opportunities. Guillermo and Javier both have extensive knowledge of the surety and insurance markets, respectively, in Mexico, and their experience will enable us to develop a superior offering of products and services tailored to the specific needs of clients in the region. We are pleased to welcome them to our team."
Celebrating 50 years, W. R. Berkley Corporation is an insurance holding company that is among the largest commercial lines writers in the United States and operates worldwide in two segments of the property casualty business: Insurance and Reinsurance.