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Core Insurance

Lenders Service Corporation (LSC) Joins Unitas Financial Services

Unitas Financial Services | September 27, 2021

Lenders Service Corporation (LSC) is excited to announce its merger with Unitas Financial Services (Unitas) whose mission is to provide the nation's simplest portfolio protection to lenders and real estate investors across the country. LSC is a licensed Managing General Insurance Agency that has served the insurance needs of the lending community since 1981. Unitas, pronounced [YOO-ni-tahs], is a Latin word that means "Oneness or Unity". The merger with Unitas serves to provide an even broader range of highly specialized lender and real estate investor protection programs to all clients, backed by exceptional customer service.

The merger of LSC with Unitas brings together a total of 14 insurance carriers and 510 clients across 30 states. LSC is based in Louisville, KY, and Unitas is based in Dublin, OH with offices in Debary, FL, and representatives across the United States. The merger builds upon the "customer first" service philosophy that has guided both companies to success. Clients will also have access to a robust range of new products, including insurance tracking, mortgage settlement solutions, blanket mortgage, blanket consumer protection (VSI), blanket equipment coverage, and more.

In addition, the merger between LSC and Unitas brings unmatched claims handling experience, better coverage for lenders, and a depth of leadership and staff experience that is unmatched in the industry.  Previously, LSC had acquired the Financial Products Division of Assured Partners NL, LLC's Lexington, KY office. The merger with LSC is a clear signal of Unitas's dedication to the lender protection market, as well as its commitment to provide the most up-to-date and innovative products, services, and concepts in financial institution coverage.

With the talent, industry knowledge, and carrier access that comes with our combined organizations, we will be able to provide our clients with a more diverse, creative, and comprehensive lineup of products and services.  We cannot say thank you enough for your loyalty to our agency over these last 40 years. We will continue to work hard in earning that loyalty as we move into the future as a part of the Unitas family.

- LSC President Gary Criscillis

About Unitas
Unitas was formed in 2020 when Golden Eagle Insurance, founded in 1995, merged with Innovative Risk Solutions, founded in 2005. Unitas provides portfolio protection services for lenders, such as vendor's single interest (VSI), blanket mortgage hazard, blanket commercial equipment, collateral protection insurance (CPI), lender-placed hazard and flood coverage, loan default coverage (Protequity), tax tracking, guaranteed asset protection (GAP), as well as portfolio protection for real estate investors. Lenders in the property and automotive sectors will benefit from a combined 82 years of industry experience from LSC and Unitas. The merged companies will be in a strong market position to offer their services to lenders and real estate investors going forward.

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Why evolving consumer behaviors require changes from insurance providers

It’s no secret that the global pandemic has upended everyone’s life. We know this anecdotally from our own experiences—more online shopping with curbside pickup orders, ordering takeout and delivery versus in-person dining, and changing media consumption. And let’s not forget remote working and learning. These experiences are more than simply anecdotal; McKinsey has written about the more specific effects of the pandemic on consumer behavior and needs. In short, they write: “behavior changes will reshape consumer decision journeys and companies will need to adapt fast.”

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Central Insurance Expands Relationship with Shift Technology

PRnewswire | June 29, 2023

Shift Technology, a provider of AI-powered decision automation and optimization solutions for the global insurance industry, today announced Central Insurance has expanded its use of the company's technology to include Shift Subrogation Detection. As a result, Central Insurance can better identify those claims for which a third party may be wholly or partially responsible for paying. The decision follows the insurer's successful use of Shift Claims Fraud Detection to identify suspicious activity in the claims process over the past three years. Central Insurance is recognized for delivering exceptional hospitality and fulfilling its promise to quickly pay policyholders for covered losses when they occur. The company's use of Shift's Claims Fraud Detection solution has proven effective in identifying legitimate versus suspicious claims and settling claims quickly and fairly. By introducing subrogation detection into the claims process, Central Insurance can more effectively spot hidden subrogation opportunities and develop optimal recovery strategies. "When a policyholder files a claim, they want to be made whole for their loss," said Jeff Lieberman, Director of Anti-Fraud and Recovery at Central. "The intricacy of what goes on behind the scenes is not important to them, but it's very important to us. Anytime we're able to efficiently and accurately identify if all or part of a claim is the responsibility of a third party, we ensure our policyholders are paid quickly while creating opportunities to recover that loss for the business." Shift Subrogation Detection helps insurers accurately identify subrogation opportunities at scale and recommend claims handler actions that improve recovery outcomes, thus reducing claims leakage while providing a top-tier customer experience. Shift uses artificial intelligence to analyze claims data to provide a holistic view of the claim, including what happened, who was involved, and could other parties be at fault. Alerts provided by the solution include clear guidance on the nature and specifics of the subrogation opportunity, allowing for optimized demands and recovery execution. The ability to eliminate manual review and identification of recovery opportunities empowers handlers to focus their time and effort on opportunities with the highest likelihood of recovery. "Not all claims are the responsibility of the policyholder making the claim; however, it's not always easy to make that determination," explained Paul Edwards, Vice President of Claims at Central. "Doing so has long been a manual and time-consuming process. Central is turning to innovative solutions like Shift Subrogation Detection to better understand what's happening in the claims process and ensure the parties truly responsible for a loss are held accountable." About Shift Technology Shift Technology delivers AI-powered decisioning solutions to benefit the global insurance industry and its customers. Our products enable insurers to automate and optimize decisions from underwriting to claims, resulting in superior customer experiences, increased operational efficiency, and reduced costs. The future of insurance starts with Decisions Made Better. Learn more at www.shift-technology.com.

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Fortegra Specialty Insurance and Rockwood Programs Partner to Offer Liability Insurance

PRnewswire | July 12, 2023

Fortegra Specialty Insurance Company ("FSIC"), a subsidiary of The Fortegra Group, Inc. ("Fortegra") and Rockwood Programs, Inc. ("Rockwood") today announced the development of management and professional liability insurance products customized to address the unique liability exposures faced by financial institutions. Mortgage bankers/brokers, auto lenders, asset-based lenders, community development funds, and similar entities are also eligible for coverage. The comprehensive solution is being offered under the Bankers Defender brand name. "The dynamic nature of our nation's economy can have an adverse impact on the banking industry," said William Hess, Vice President of Rockwood's Financial Institution Division. "Even firms with sound portfolio risk management protocols can be caught off-guard by changing governmental regulations or seemingly unrelated socio-political events. The resulting scrutiny brought by the various state and federal regulatory agencies can make it difficult for the banks to secure vital insurance." Bankers Defender coverage offers liability limits of up to $5,000,000 on all lines except Employment Practices ($2,000,000 maximum), and financial institution crime bonds are also available. Management and professional liability products include Directors & Officers, Errors & Omissions, Employment Practices, and Lender Liability, among others. "Through Bankers Defender, we proactively examine exposure areas and offer policyholders additional support alongside their insurance policies, including risk mitigation practices to avoid losses, claim advocacy, and legal assistance through Wilson Elser, an internationally recognized law firm with a reputation for providing an advocacy defense for its clients," said Glenn W. Clark, CPCU, President of Rockwood Programs. With this strategic approach, policyholders are getting the expertise of three entities with decades of experience in this particular class." Cooper Wallach, Vice President of Specialty Products and Programs at Fortegra, said: "In all our partnerships, we seek to pair innovation with expertise. The combination of experienced underwriters, advocacy defense, dedicated claims response team, and loss prevention tactics, will position our policyholders for long-term success." About Fortegra For more than 45 years, Fortegra, via its subsidiaries, has underwritten risk management solutions that help people and businesses succeed in the face of uncertainty. As a global specialty insurer, we offer a diverse set of admitted and non-admitted insurance products and warranty solutions. Fortegra's A.M. Best Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) is a result of our strict underwriting standards, consistent profitability, and high cash flows. For more information, please visit: https://www.fortegra.com. About Rockwood Programs, Inc. Rockwood Program Administrators is a full service Managing General Agency licensed in all 50 states. Its wholesale brokerage division, Rockwood Specialty, assists retail agents in finding markets for unique or hard-to-place management liability risks. Its Rockwood Insurance Solutions division provides innovative thinking and counsel to insurance entities seeking to grow and expand their business operations. Since 1996, the company has been committed to protecting its partners. For more information about our offerings, please visit: www.rockwoodinsurance.com.

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Higginbotham Joins Forces with Houston's Iscential

PR Newswire | August 21, 2023

The team from Houston's Iscential, a premier independent insurance agency, risk management and financial services firm, has joined forces with Fort Worth's Higginbotham, the largest independent insurance, financial and HR services firm headquartered in Texas and one of the top firms in the country. This strategic move allows access to enhanced services for Iscential clients and adds a second Houston team to the Higginbotham roster. As Higginbotham celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, Chairman and CEO Rusty Reid continues looking toward the next milestone. Reid champions strategic growth for the company by bringing aboard agencies and teams that enjoy strong reputations in their local markets and share the same energy, culture, values, and commitment to service as Higginbotham. "Iscential fits perfectly into our national network of firms," Reid declared. "I could not be more pleased to bring them into the fold. They are a firm with impressive growth and an incredible reputation for client service. Our partnership with Iscential will allow both of us to better provide enhanced services to our clients for years to come." Warren Barhorst, CEO of Iscential, also looked to the future as he searched for a company that could bring long-term organizational continuity to the business he founded 30 years ago. But his search was complicated by what he found in the marketplace. "There were a lot of agencies to choose from," said Barhorst. "But when we started taking a closer look, we realized that so many companies are driven by stock price rather than customer and employee care, and they're not run by insurance people. "Then we looked at Higginbotham," Barhorst continued. "Not only do they have the long-term, proven performance we needed, but they also have the right culture. They're employee-owned. They're sales-driven and customer-focused. And best of all — they're run by insurance people. With Higginbotham, we found a partner that values what we've built, values our culture and associates, and wants more than a financial transaction." Barhorst noted that he was particularly excited to now be able to offer Higginbotham's wide array of services to Iscential clients: "When we looked at the Higginbotham services, there was no question — they've done what we were trying to do on a smaller scale, and they've done it right." Reid elaborated, "At Higginbotham, we've strategically and diligently built the in-house services for risk management, benefit plan administration, HR services, and more, and we're looking forward to offering these solutions to Iscential clients." "Despite the obvious benefits, the decision to team up with Higginbotham was surprisingly emotional," Barhorst concluded. "Higginbotham kept telling us it'll be business as usual, and they were right. Except they're enabling me to refocus on the parts of the business I love most. If you're a baker and you like to bake, you want to make cookies. You don't want to sit at your desk alone doing paperwork. Today, I got to make the insurance version of cookies: I got to be back with clients all day long." Dowling Hales acted as exclusive financial advisor to the sellers in this transaction. About Iscential Iscential is an independent insurance agency, risk management and financial services firm dedicated to helping individuals, families and businesses protect their most valuable assets. One of the largest writers of Nationwide property and casualty insurance in the country, Iscential was founded in 1993 by current CEO Warren Barhorst and his wife. With roots planted in Houston, Iscential has grown to encompass over 140 associates and is licensed in over 38 states. Visit iscential.com for more information. About Higginbotham Employee owned and customer inspired, Higginbotham is a single source solution for insurance, financial and HR services. The firm was established in 1948 and ranks by revenue as the nation's 21st largest independent insurance firm. Serving thousands of businesses and individuals through locations coast-to-coast, Higginbotham's approach to finding insurance, employee benefit and risk management solutions is more individual and less institutional. By understanding customer priorities, eliminating inefficiencies and committing to transparency, Higginbotham is a place that leads with values so value leads. Visit higginbotham.com for more information.

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Central Insurance Expands Relationship with Shift Technology

PRnewswire | June 29, 2023

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Fortegra Specialty Insurance and Rockwood Programs Partner to Offer Liability Insurance

PRnewswire | July 12, 2023

Fortegra Specialty Insurance Company ("FSIC"), a subsidiary of The Fortegra Group, Inc. ("Fortegra") and Rockwood Programs, Inc. ("Rockwood") today announced the development of management and professional liability insurance products customized to address the unique liability exposures faced by financial institutions. Mortgage bankers/brokers, auto lenders, asset-based lenders, community development funds, and similar entities are also eligible for coverage. The comprehensive solution is being offered under the Bankers Defender brand name. "The dynamic nature of our nation's economy can have an adverse impact on the banking industry," said William Hess, Vice President of Rockwood's Financial Institution Division. "Even firms with sound portfolio risk management protocols can be caught off-guard by changing governmental regulations or seemingly unrelated socio-political events. The resulting scrutiny brought by the various state and federal regulatory agencies can make it difficult for the banks to secure vital insurance." Bankers Defender coverage offers liability limits of up to $5,000,000 on all lines except Employment Practices ($2,000,000 maximum), and financial institution crime bonds are also available. Management and professional liability products include Directors & Officers, Errors & Omissions, Employment Practices, and Lender Liability, among others. "Through Bankers Defender, we proactively examine exposure areas and offer policyholders additional support alongside their insurance policies, including risk mitigation practices to avoid losses, claim advocacy, and legal assistance through Wilson Elser, an internationally recognized law firm with a reputation for providing an advocacy defense for its clients," said Glenn W. Clark, CPCU, President of Rockwood Programs. With this strategic approach, policyholders are getting the expertise of three entities with decades of experience in this particular class." Cooper Wallach, Vice President of Specialty Products and Programs at Fortegra, said: "In all our partnerships, we seek to pair innovation with expertise. The combination of experienced underwriters, advocacy defense, dedicated claims response team, and loss prevention tactics, will position our policyholders for long-term success." About Fortegra For more than 45 years, Fortegra, via its subsidiaries, has underwritten risk management solutions that help people and businesses succeed in the face of uncertainty. As a global specialty insurer, we offer a diverse set of admitted and non-admitted insurance products and warranty solutions. Fortegra's A.M. Best Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) is a result of our strict underwriting standards, consistent profitability, and high cash flows. For more information, please visit: https://www.fortegra.com. About Rockwood Programs, Inc. Rockwood Program Administrators is a full service Managing General Agency licensed in all 50 states. Its wholesale brokerage division, Rockwood Specialty, assists retail agents in finding markets for unique or hard-to-place management liability risks. Its Rockwood Insurance Solutions division provides innovative thinking and counsel to insurance entities seeking to grow and expand their business operations. Since 1996, the company has been committed to protecting its partners. For more information about our offerings, please visit: www.rockwoodinsurance.com.

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Core Insurance, Insurance Technology

Higginbotham Joins Forces with Houston's Iscential

PR Newswire | August 21, 2023

The team from Houston's Iscential, a premier independent insurance agency, risk management and financial services firm, has joined forces with Fort Worth's Higginbotham, the largest independent insurance, financial and HR services firm headquartered in Texas and one of the top firms in the country. This strategic move allows access to enhanced services for Iscential clients and adds a second Houston team to the Higginbotham roster. As Higginbotham celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, Chairman and CEO Rusty Reid continues looking toward the next milestone. Reid champions strategic growth for the company by bringing aboard agencies and teams that enjoy strong reputations in their local markets and share the same energy, culture, values, and commitment to service as Higginbotham. "Iscential fits perfectly into our national network of firms," Reid declared. "I could not be more pleased to bring them into the fold. They are a firm with impressive growth and an incredible reputation for client service. Our partnership with Iscential will allow both of us to better provide enhanced services to our clients for years to come." Warren Barhorst, CEO of Iscential, also looked to the future as he searched for a company that could bring long-term organizational continuity to the business he founded 30 years ago. But his search was complicated by what he found in the marketplace. "There were a lot of agencies to choose from," said Barhorst. "But when we started taking a closer look, we realized that so many companies are driven by stock price rather than customer and employee care, and they're not run by insurance people. "Then we looked at Higginbotham," Barhorst continued. "Not only do they have the long-term, proven performance we needed, but they also have the right culture. They're employee-owned. They're sales-driven and customer-focused. And best of all — they're run by insurance people. With Higginbotham, we found a partner that values what we've built, values our culture and associates, and wants more than a financial transaction." Barhorst noted that he was particularly excited to now be able to offer Higginbotham's wide array of services to Iscential clients: "When we looked at the Higginbotham services, there was no question — they've done what we were trying to do on a smaller scale, and they've done it right." Reid elaborated, "At Higginbotham, we've strategically and diligently built the in-house services for risk management, benefit plan administration, HR services, and more, and we're looking forward to offering these solutions to Iscential clients." "Despite the obvious benefits, the decision to team up with Higginbotham was surprisingly emotional," Barhorst concluded. "Higginbotham kept telling us it'll be business as usual, and they were right. Except they're enabling me to refocus on the parts of the business I love most. If you're a baker and you like to bake, you want to make cookies. You don't want to sit at your desk alone doing paperwork. Today, I got to make the insurance version of cookies: I got to be back with clients all day long." Dowling Hales acted as exclusive financial advisor to the sellers in this transaction. About Iscential Iscential is an independent insurance agency, risk management and financial services firm dedicated to helping individuals, families and businesses protect their most valuable assets. One of the largest writers of Nationwide property and casualty insurance in the country, Iscential was founded in 1993 by current CEO Warren Barhorst and his wife. With roots planted in Houston, Iscential has grown to encompass over 140 associates and is licensed in over 38 states. Visit iscential.com for more information. About Higginbotham Employee owned and customer inspired, Higginbotham is a single source solution for insurance, financial and HR services. The firm was established in 1948 and ranks by revenue as the nation's 21st largest independent insurance firm. Serving thousands of businesses and individuals through locations coast-to-coast, Higginbotham's approach to finding insurance, employee benefit and risk management solutions is more individual and less institutional. By understanding customer priorities, eliminating inefficiencies and committing to transparency, Higginbotham is a place that leads with values so value leads. Visit higginbotham.com for more information.

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