Allianz Group’s corporate insurer has appointed an industry veteran to a regional role focused on coverage only expected to grow in demand.
Thomas Williams will assume regional practice leadership for Environmental Impairment Liability (EIL) North America at
Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty.
In the position, he’s lead building the EIL line of business and its growth in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Launched in 2014, the EIL practice offers coverage solutions addressing pollution legal liability, contractors’ pollution liability as well as pollution excess in the construction, energy, manufacturing and real estate segments.
Those segments have reemerged as key for brokers looking to tap into a real estate industry still going strong across regions of Canada and more recently the United States.
As well, some commercial clients are increasingly exposed to higher environmental risks, with coverage gaps leaving too many vulnerable in this increasingly litigious environment.
Allianz is only one insurer moving to beef up efforts to win more of that business. The Williams appointment is seen as evidence of its commitment.
“Tom's solid record as both an underwriter and insurance management executive, coupled with his hands-on scientific experience will prove invaluable to our broker partners and clients,” said. Dieter J. Hautzer, VP of liability North America. “Environmental extensions offered in standard casualty policies generally do not cover the wide gamut of possible losses in this space, and so we have found a great need for this type of product as businesses increasingly take note of their environmental exposures and ever-tightening regulation.”
