Polo & Aon craft Lloyd’s SIAB tackling California wildfire risks

Lloyd’s has approved coverholder Wildfire Defense Systems (WDS) to establish a syndicate-in-a-box (SIAB), which began underwriting California wildfire-exposed commercial property risks in the excess and surplus (E&S) market from July 1. The syndicate is developed in partnership with  Aon and managed by Polo Managing Agency (PMA).

The new Wildfire Defense Syndicate 1996 is created under Lloyd’s “Syndicate-in-a-Box” programme to increase capacity for E&S commercial wildfire risk in California. The syndicate will leverage the property protection services of Wildfire Defense Systems, which comprises experienced fire scientists, data scientists, PhD mathematicians, project managers, engineers, intelligence personnel, incident commanders, wildfire officers, and firefighting teams.

WDS claims its emergency response operations have answered more than 1,200 wildfire incidents in 22 US states and saved the insurance industry billions of dollars.

Jenny Hummerston, director of underwriting at PMA, with whom Wildfire Defense Syndicate 1996 has partnered as its Lloyd’s Managing Agent, said: “From the initial conversations with the Wildfire Defense team, it was clear they were bringing an innovative plan to market, focusing on loss prevention, and thus allowing them to offer meaningful cover where capacity is limited. The professionalism with which Wildfire Defense Systems has approached the Lloyd’s approval process reflects the professionalism they have displayed in over 16 years of service to the wildfire defence operations.”

David Torgerson, executive chairman and founder of Wildfire Defense Systems and related companies, said: “The Wildfire Defense brand represents the largest private sector wildfire services provider in the United States with extensive services and a continuing commitment to reducing wildfire losses throughout the entire insurance industry, including California E&S commercial properties. At our core, we are a system of companies, each taking a piece of the equation to create wildfire solutions in a climate change environment. Wildfire Defense Syndicate 1996 is a natural progression of our strategy and passion for sustainable insurance in wildfire-prone regions.” Torgerson added there was an alignment between WDS’s core values and Lloyd’s global presence, creating an ecosystem that fostered both insurance innovation and climate change solutions.

Harry Jardine, head of property for the MGA segment at Aon’s Reinsurance Solutions, said: “To secure crucial reinsurance and Lloyd’s capital, Aon’s Analytics team – in collaboration with the firm’s specialist brokers – was fundamental in creating the comprehensive view of risk necessary for reinsurers and capital providers to support this new syndicate, while enabling WDS to make better decisions on growing its business. Our united approach resulted in the launch of Wildfire Defense Syndicate 1996, which allows WDS to assist its commercial customers to navigate volatility and build business resilience, while promoting sustainability in an everchanging market that is being driven by the uncertainties created by climate change.”

Paul Andrews, chief executive officer, Polo, added: “The Polo team worked tirelessly to enable the launch of 1996, after being selected by Wildfire Defense Systems, Inc., as their strategic partner for this unique Lloyd's platform.” Andrews also pointed to the Polo team’s dedication to continue to offer a unique market leading, full-service syndicate management solution that partners PMA with modern technology and their ingroup outsource provider Polo Commercial Insurance Services Limited.

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