Empowered Underwriting
Our Excess & Surplus Lines Commercial Property Underwriting team engage proactively with select distribution partners to offer clients solutions in an ever-changing marketplace.
What We Do
W/R/B Specialty operates in New York City, writing a U.S. nationwide book of business across a broad range of occupancy classes, working hard to understand the unique needs of our clients. This is done with empowered underwriting, a fair and efficient claims team and leading wordings and technical backup services to offer our clients a long-term, sustainable product.
Underwriting Appetite
- U.S. Nationwide accounts through to single site, single peril
- Catastrophe exposed accounts with a mature risk management approach
- Excess shared and layered programs
Target Clients
Municipalities
Real Estate
Manufacturing
Hospitality
Offices and Condos
Warehousing
Capacity
Up to:
- USD 10m fire
- USD 5m Critical CAT
Ratings
Berkley Member Insurance Companies
- A.M. Best — (Superior) A+
- S&P — (Strong) A+
- Fitch — A+
Service
We aim to respond to all inquiries in 24–48 hours
Our Underwriting Approach
We aim to meet as many of our clients and distribution partners as possible, and to engage in long term relationships by understanding the specific needs of each individual placement. We like to partner with clients with a proven track record and mature approach to managing their exposures.
Claims
At W/R/B Specialty, we excel in efficient, accurate and timely claims assessment. W/R/B Specialty utilizes a leading claims management service provider, with vast experience in handling complex claims. With offices throughout the U.S., the assigned team has both the local knowledge and expertise to provide a claims service that meets our clients’ needs and our commitment to excellence. This proposition is further strengthened by the highly experienced Claims Professionals at W/R/B Specialty, who collectively strive to deliver the superior claims service our clients deserve.
New York
Dan Black
Vice President - Underwriting / E&S Commercial Property
Dan’s career in insurance started in 2009, where he worked for a large Lloyd’s Syndicate in London for over 10 years. He then took a position in 2020 as Senior Underwriter at W/R/B Underwriting, to grow and develop the Property Portfolio.
In 2022, Dan made the move from London to New York to lead the new W/R/B Specialty operation.
Dan holds a Masters degree and is ACII qualified.
Sam Fergusson
Assistant Vice President – Underwriting / E&S Commercial Property
Sam joined W/R/B Underwriting (Syndicate 1967) in 2017 having graduated from the University of Sheffield with a degree in Economics and Politics.
During that time, he assisted in growing and developing the Commercial Property portfolio and moved to join the W/R/B Specialty operation in 2023.
Atlanta
Tom Woodstock
Vice President - Underwriting / E&S Commercial Property
Tom started his career in insurance in 1988 as a Property and Marine Underwriter in Towson, Maryland. During his career, he has held positions in both the insurer and wholesale broker side of the industry, and has worked in the Atlanta marketplace since 1999. He joined W/R/B Specialty in 2024 to grow and develop the Property Portfolio
Tom graduated from the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point and holds a BS degree.
Meredith Dearing
Assistant Vice President – Underwriting / E&S Commercial Property
Meredith began her career in insurance with a large E&S carrier. She helped manage the Commercial Property book and recently joined the W/R/B Specialty team in Atlanta to help grow and develop the existing Property Portfolio. Meredith holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Risk Management and Insurance.
Drew Hamm
Assistant Vice President - Underwriting / E&S Commercial Property
Drew began his insurance career after graduating from the University of Georgia (Terry College of Business) with a BBA in Risk Management & Insurance. He is a veteran E&S Property underwriter with expertise managing large, complex risk managed accounts. Drew recently joined the W/R/B Specialty team in Alpharetta, GA to help develop and grow the U.S. nationwide property portfolio.
California
Ethan Chelli
Assistant Vice President - Biding Authority Broker (CA)
Ethan began his insurance career in 2005 after attending UC Davis. Initially working in the wholesale insurance market, he moved over to the carrier side in 2008 where he has held various roles in the Property and Specialty markets. He joined W/R/B Specialty in 2024 opening the San Francisco office to grow and expand the Property Portfolio.
The Power of Berkley
W/R/B Specialty is one of the 50+ (re)insurance businesses worldwide that comprise the Berkley brand. Berkley is one of America’s largest commercial lines property casualty insurance providers, operating worldwide within two segments of the P&C insurance business: Insurance and Reinsurance & Monoline Excess. Each business offers expertise within an industry, product, or region.
W/R/B Specialty is a member of W. R. Berkley Corporation, a Fortune 500 company that is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is part of the S&P 500. W. R. Berkley Corporation’s insurance company subsidiaries are rated A+ (Superior), Financial Size Category XV by A.M. Best Company and A+ (Strong) by Standard & Poor’s.
Berkley’s competitive advantage lies in its long-term strategy of decentralized operations. This structure provides each Berkley business the agility of a small business—the ability to identify and respond quickly and effectively to changing market conditions and local customer needs. It provides our Berkley businesses with the strength and resources of a Fortune 500 organization as well as the financial accountability and incentives to attract and retain the highest-caliber professionals.
