PRODUCT: Specialty General Liability

COMPANIES: The Hanover Insurance Group Inc.

BEST RATING: A

AVAILABILITY: Appointed agents and brokers.

FOCUS: The Hanover launched a product that provides an admitted general liability and excess coverage solution for hard-to-place risks, including manufacturing, distribution, wholesale and import businesses with higher-hazard product liability exposures or clients with loss-sensitive premises liability insurance programs.

“Social inflation and increasingly costly verdicts are driving hardening in the casualty market, creating limited capacity for businesses with complex products exposure in the standard market," says Pamela J. Rushing, president of alternative markets at The Hanover. “As a result, agents have expressed a need for a 'middle ground' solution in the casualty continuum, and that's where our specialty general liability solution comes in."

COVERAGE DETAILS: This product offers solutions across the full spectrum of liability hazards, serving as the middle-ground solution between its traditional liability coverage offerings and excess & surplus lines solutions. Policies can be issued on a standalone basis or as part of a total account solution when coupled with other Hanover policies. International coverage, employee benefits liability coverage and hired non-owned auto coverages, as well as self-insured retentions or first-dollar program structures, are also available.

Beyond coverage, a dedicated major case unit helps agents and their customers navigate complex and nuanced catastrophic injury claims. Comprised of specialized professionals with specific expertise, the team offers a deep understanding of complex product liability and multi-party litigation.

UNDERWRITING: Completed products liability application is preferred, but The Hanover can provide a quote based on a competitor's application.

MINIMUM PREMIUM: $25,000.

TARGET: Mid-size manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and importers of a wide range of products that have an increased propensity for a severe loss, including construction, farming and fitness equipment, industrial machinery, auto and truck parts, and metal and steel fabricators. The Hanover can also offer coverage on a case-by-case basis for premises exposures requiring a loss-sensitive program structure, such as restaurants and shopping centers.

COVERAGE AVAILABILITY: All U.S. states except Alaska and Hawaii.

CONTACT: Seth Hollis, vice president, specialty general liability, The Hanover; 610-427-9632.

Will Jones is IA editor-in-chief.