Our Equine Mortality Division is one of the world's leading providers of equine mortality insurance and related coverages through professional equine independent agents. Our underwriting staff is extremely knowledgeable of all breeds and uses to include horse racing, showing and pleasure riding. Our in-house claims staff specializes in efficiently handling equine mortality and injury losses.
The Equine Mortality Division has taken an active industry leadership role through numerous national sponsorships. They have been a Corporate Sponsor of HITS (Horse Shows in the Sun, Inc.) with show venues nationwide, since 1990.
Equine Mortality is a Corporate Sponsor of the NCHA (National Cutting Horse Association) and the NRCHA (National Reined Cow Horse Association). The Equine Farm Center of the AgriBusiness Division joined them in the Title Sponsorship of the USDF (United States Dressage Federation) Regional Championship Series and the newly added USDF Breeder's Championship Series as well as Corporate Sponsorship for the Florida Horse Par
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Equine Mortality
Crop
Great American has been an innovative leader in the crop insurance industry since it issued its first crop policy in 1925. Our Crop Insurance Division provides the tools you need in the form of specialized crop insurance coverages, which can insure your revenue stream even if elements outside your control go awry. That means even in the face of a worst-case scenario you will have the guaranteed income you need to keep your operation functioning properly.
Great American allows you to actively manage your farming operation - so you are no longer at the mercy of the wind, rain, hail... or even an unexpected fall in market values for your crops.
Products offered by this Division include the federally reinsured Multiple Peril Crop Insurance policies (MPCI) and numerous Named Peril Insurance Products. MPCI insures against disease and weather related disasters causing crop losses on a unit basis.
Named Peril programs are unique and varied. Included in our family of Named Peril products is Crop-Hail, which provides spot-loss protection against damaging hail or fire.
Bonds
Great American's Bond Division writes a wide range of surety and fidelity products including standard contract surety, commercial surety and miscellaneous non-contract surety and fidelity. Please visit our website to find the Great American office closest to you.
Standard Contract Surety writes contract surety for general contractors, subcontractors and specialty trade contractors with twenty-nine strategically located contract underwriting marketing offices throughout the United States. Many of these offices can also write non-contract bonds and small fidelity bonds.
Commercial Surety underwrites all bonds associated with commercial accounts, other than contractors.
Miscellaneous Surety and Fidelity specialize in surety bonds for public officials, court fiduciary, court judicial, government, license and permit, and small fidelity (under $500,000 limits) products.
RISICO Claim Services is a claims handling unit within the Bond Claims Department. RISICO Claim Services offers a wide variety of surety and fidelity and crime claim handling services for units within the American Financial Group family and outside companies.
Alternative Markets
Alternative Markets Division is an expert in risk financing techniques, focusing on captives and large deductible structures that provide the opportunity to establish long-term, profitable partnerships with entrepreneurial agents, associations and large account customers.
Captives
Our captive business model emphasizes true partnership. We customize the design and structure of each opportunity to best fit our customers’ needs. The preferred risk-sharing structure is a 50/50 quota share participation that enables us to act as both insurer and reinsurer to your business, while at the same time facilitating transparent communication and collaboration.
Operating under a “best in class” philosophy, our underwriting appetite ranges from small business (BOP) to large account customers in a variety of operations, from manufacturing and wholesalers to service and retail exposures. Additionally, we entertain all primary lines of coverage within a captive – automobile, general liability, property and workers compensation & employers liability – and are able to provide you with an umbrella market outside of the captive. It is our preference to be a multi-line solution to you and your clients, though we will entertain mono-line opportunities.
All services are executed intelligently, and we offer the full suite of carrier services. Our team is comprised of tenured captive experts, responsive to the needs of both you and your clients. We are also open to unbundling services, subject to demonstrated expertise and the ability to meet our handling requirements.
Captive partners may domicile either on shore or offshore and also have the option of owning their captive or participating in a rent-a-captive facility. Agreements are negotiated annually and collateral terms are fair.
We believe our model to be a leader in the alternative risk marketplace, though only for a select number of organizations. Our due diligence process is deliberate and we are focused on ensuring that all of our partnerships have the ability to achieve a favorable financial return for all involved.
Cyber Risk Insurance
Developed to protect commercial enterprises, including not-for-profit organizations, from exposures inherent with the use of the Internet as a business tool, we offer the ISO-based Internet Liability and Network Protection Policy (ILNPP). Great American has also contracted with Identity Theft 911 to provide identity theft resolution services to policyholders in the event of a covered loss. Identity Theft 911 is a leading provider in identity theft resolution and fraud education services.
A modular policy, Great American’s Cyber Risk Insurance includes six separate product modules that may be purchased individually, collectively or in any combination. Included are products for Website Publishing, Network Security, Replacement or Restoration of Electronic Data, Cyber Extortion, Loss of Business Income and costs associated with Computer System Unauthorized Access Notification. Limits of insurance and deductible levels may be customized as needed. A full schedule of coverage and general use Endorsements is also available as part of the Cyber Risk program.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Great American Ball Park
In 2000, the two organizations announced a 30-year agreement under which the new home of the Reds will be named "Great American Ball Park".
Construction of the new stadium began in the Fall of 2000 and was completed in time for opening day of the 2003 season.
We are very excited about this opportunity to support our community and our home team, the Cincinnati Reds!
American Financial Group
American Financial Group (AFG) is a holding company based in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is a Fortune 500 company whose common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ. The members of Great American Insurance Group are subsidiaries of AFG.
AFG is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses, and in the sale of annuities and supplemental insurance - products. The Company is committed to building value for its shareholders as property and casualty insurance and annuity specialists, providing quality products and services to its customers and offering a rewarding work environment for its employees.
Great American Insurance Group Ratings
Major rating agencies issue public ratings on the insurance companies within the Great American Insurance Group. Financial strength or claims paying ability ratings apply to individual insurance companies. The rating criteria and designations vary for each agency. Visit the agencies' websites for information about the rating agencies and their rating processes.
Property & Casualty Insurance Operations - Financial Strength Rating Profile
| A.M. Best | Standard & Poor's | Moody's | Fitch |
| American Empire Surplus Lines |
| American Empire Insurance Company | A+ (Superior) | A (Strong) | Not Rated | A+ (Strong) |
| American Empire Surplus Lines Insurance Company | A+ (Superior) | A (Strong) | Not Rated | A+ (Strong) |
| Great American Insurance Companies |
| Great American Insurance Company | A (Excellent) | A (Strong) | A2 (Good) | A+ (Strong) |
| Great American E & S Insurance Company | A (Excellent) | A (Strong) | A2 (Good) | A+ (Strong) |
| Great American Assurance Company | A (Excellent) | A (Strong) | A2 (Good) | A+ (Strong) |
| Great American Contemporary Insurance Company | A (Excellent) | A (Strong) | A2 (Good) | A+ (Strong) |
| Great American Alliance Insurance Company | A (Excellent) | A (Strong) | A2 (Good) | A+ (Strong) |
| Great American Fidelity Insurance Company | A (Excellent) | A (Strong) | A2 (Good) | A+ (Strong) |
| Great American Insurance Company of New York | A (Excellent) | A (Strong) | A2 (Good) | A+ (Strong) |
| Great American Spirit Insurance Company | A (Excellent) | A (Strong) | A2 (Good) | A+ (Strong) |
| Great American Security Insurance Company | A (Excellent) | A (Strong) | A2 (Good) | A+ (Strong) |
| Great American Protection Insurance Company | A (Excellent) | A (Strong) | A2 (Good) | A+ (Strong) |
| Great American Lloyd's Insurance Company | A (Excellent) | Not Rated | A2 (Good) | A+ (Strong) |
| Great American Casualty Insurance Company | A (Excellent) | A (Strong) | A2 (Good) | A+ (Strong) |
| Great American International Insurance Ltd | Not Rated | A (Strong) | Not Rated | Not Rated |
| Mid-Continent Group |
| Mid-Continent Casualty Company | A (Excellent) | A (Strong) | Not Rated | A+ (Strong) |
| Mid-Continent Insurance Company | A (Excellent) | A (Strong) | Not Rated | A+ (Strong) |
| Oklahoma Surety Company | A (Excellent) | A (Strong) | Not Rated | A+ (Strong) |
| National Interstate Insurance Companies |
| National Interstate Insurance Company | A (Excellent) | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated |
| National Interstate Insurance Company of Hawaii | A (Excellent) | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated |
| Republic Indemnity Group |
| Republic Indemnity Company of America | A (Excellent) | A (Strong) | A3 (Good) | A+ (Strong) |
| Republic Indemnity Company of California | A (Excellent) | A (Strong) | Not Rated | A+ (Strong) |
Annuity, Life and Health Insurance Operations - Financial Strength Rating Profile
| A.M. Best | Standard & Poor's | Moody's | Fitch |
| Annuity Investors Life Insurance Company | A (Excellent) | A (Strong) | Not Rated | A+ (Strong) |
| Central Reserve Life Insurance Company | B++ (Very Good) | Not Rated | Not Rated | A (Strong) |
| Continental General Insurance Company | B++ (Very Good) | Not Rated | Not Rated | A (Strong) |
| Great American Life Insurance Company | A (Excellent) | A (Strong) | A3 (Good) | A+ (Strong) |
| Great American Life Insurance Company of New York | A- (Excellent) | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated |
| Loyal American Life Insurance Company | A (Excellent) | Not Rated | Not Rated | A+ (Strong) |
| Manhattan National Life Insurance Company | A- (Excellent) | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated |
| United Teacher Associates Insurance Company | A- (Excellent) | Not Rated | Not Rated | A+ (Strong) |
Great American Insurance - Mission Statement
Purpose
Our purpose is to enable individuals and businesses to manage financial risk. We provide insurance products and services tailored to meet the specific and ever-changing financial risk exposures facing our customers. We build value for our investors through the strength of our customers' satisfaction and by consistently producing superior operating results.
Vision
Our vision is to deliver financial solutions that fulfill today's needs and tomorrow's dreams to be a trusted partner delivering long-term value to our customers, employees and investors.
Operating Philosophy
People. Our people are talented, energetic and motivated to continually expand their knowledge and improve their performance. All employees are expected to conduct themselves with integrity and in a legal, ethical and moral manner. We offer a rewarding work environment which recognizes the importance of family and community. We support healthy and balanced lifestyles. We treat our customers and each other with courtesy and respect.
Specialists. We focus on insurance products and services for which we have significant expertise and knowledge and where we can be leaders based on our strengths. We build franchise value by targeting markets which offer the greatest prospects for long term profitable growth.
Operating Results. The financial strength valued by our customers, employees and investors comes from our passionate commitment to produce consistently superior underwriting and operating results. These results flow from pricing discipline, prudent risk taking, optimal management of capital and investment skills which balance strong total returns with prudent asset preservation.
Service. We aim to deliver service that is both extraordinary and valued by our customers. We strive for high quality service at a competitive cost and constantly seek ways to best leverage our organizational and technology resources. Our goal is to serve our customers however and whenever they prefer.
Entrepreneurs. We combine a "small company" entrepreneurial atmosphere with "big company" expertise and economies of scale.
Our roots go back to the founding of Great American Insurance Company in 1872. Our history, our Vision, Purpose, Operating Philosophy and Values reflect both staying power and our optimism for the future.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Great American Insurance Group - History
History
Great American's roots go back to the 1800's with the founding of Great American Insurance Company in 1872, based in New York City. The company symbol was an eagle. The company's first policy was written on March 19, 1872. Through the remainder of the 1800's, Great American continued to grow and attract more agents. Great American entered the twentieth century as one of the most respected and financially stable companies in America with an excellent reputation for paying claims.Great American's extraordinary strength enabled it, like the rest of the country, to weather the hard years of the Great Depression. New legislation cleared the way for multiple-line operations and Great American began to write both property and casualty policies. Great American grew steadily in the 1950s and by the early 60s, had assets exceeding $450 million with 11 major offices in the United States and Canada. In 1968, Great American was acquired by National General Corporation and became a subsidiary of a conglomerate holding an eclectic mix of properties that included motion pictures, publishing, computer technology and fast food. It left its home of 94 years and moved to Los Angeles.
Halfway in between New York and LA, a skilled businessman in Cincinnati was becoming interested in the property and casualty industry that Great American had always served. Asked by the Ohio Insurance Department to come to the financial aid of a floundering local carrier, Carl H. Lindner was introduced to a line of business that intrigued him. Five years later, in 1973, Lindner merged his own American Financial Corporation with National General to acquire majority ownership of Great American. In the transitional year that followed, he pared National General's holdings down to only the insurance operations and moved their headquarters into his own town, Cincinnati, Ohio. Under the Lindner family's leadership, Great American focused its market presence as a specialty insurer and became the flagship company of American Financial.
In the late 1950s Great American established a life insurance operation, Great American Life Insurance Company. Great American Life began marketing insurance products in 1959 and, over the years, became a leader in providing retirement annuities to the education market. Great American Financial Resources, Inc., formerly American Annuity Group, was formed in 1992 as the holding company for the annuity and life insurance operations of American Financial. Great American Financial Resources has diversified itself over the years and today is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Financial. Its subsidiaries offer a broad range of products, including annuities, life, supplemental health and long-term care insurance products.
Over the years, American Financial divested certain business interests and acquired significant interests in numerous businesses, including American Premier Underwriters, Inc. (formerly The Penn Central Corporation), a former New York Stock Exchange listed public company . American Financial was a major shareholder of American Premier and Carl Lindner was named to its Board of Directors in 1982. In 1983, he became Chairman of the Board and was made Chief Executive Officer in 1987, the same year that American Premier's headquarters moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Under the Lindner family leadership, American Premier made a number of strategic acquisitions and divestitures in order to focus on property and casualty insurance businesses. In 1989, American Premier acquired Republic Indemnity of America, which writes workers' compensation insurance principally in California, and in the early 1990s, it purchased a group of auto insurance companies (Atlanta Casualty Companies, Windsor Group, Infinity Group and Leader Group).
American Premier continued to seek acquisition and investment opportunities primarily in the property and casualty insurance area and, in 1994, engaged an independent investment banking firm to assist in considering various investment opportunities. After several months of review and analysis, the firm presented various alternatives to American Premier's Board of Directors, one of which resulted in the formation of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE/NASDAQ: AFG) in April 1995 through mergers of American Financial and American Premier.
During the 1990's, the insurance industry was mired in a downcycle and the company began to take steps to realign its property and casualty operations. It was time for some changes. In December of 1998, Great American sold its "mainstreet" commercial lines business and focused on its core strength as a niche insurer in both specialty commercial and personal auto insurance.
Then in early 1999, American Financial Group and Great American adopted a new logo, featuring the traditional symbol of the American eagle as well as the time-honored colors of red and blue. The new look made full use of Great American's brand equity and positioned it as a more modern, forward-looking company.
To continue building national brand image, Great American became the naming rights sponsor for the new home of the Cincinnati Reds, America's first professional baseball team. In the fall of 2000, ground was broken for construction of Great American Ball Park. An alliance with the nation's most beloved sport brings fresh enthusiasm - and national visibility - to the company. Opening Day 2003: an exciting new chapter in the Great American story!
In early 2003, a major shift in the profile of Great American Insurance Group resulted from the sale of its agency-based personal lines business in connection with the public offering of Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation ("Infinity") by American Financial Group. Several former members of Great American Insurance Group, including the Atlanta Casualty Companies, Infinity Group, Leader Group and Windsor Group, are now owned by Infinity. In addition, Great American Insurance Company transferred to Infinity its personal lines insurance business written through independent agents. At that time, AFG retained 39% of Infinity's outstanding common stock. In December of 2003, AFG sold its remaining shares of Infinity.
This move set the stage for Great American to be a stronger niche player in the specialty lines insurance business. Great American's Specialty Group continues to strengthen the links between its specialized business lines focused on providing products and services primarily to businesses and institutions.
Today, Great American Insurance Group, owned by American Financial Group (NYSE/NASDAQ:AFG), is engaged primarily in specialty property and casualty insurance businesses and in the sale of retirement annuities, life and supplemental health insurance products. The Carl Lindner family remains a significant holder of AFG's common stock.
With the power of generations behind it, Great American Insurance Group grows and changes with discipline and integrity. We're proud of who we are, where we've been and where we're going. Our industry is changing and Great American is changing as well. However, our commitment to providing quality products and service to our customers will never change.
