XL Group launched its dedicated construction insurance business in 2011 and is continuing to offer a variety of fleet safety services in a collaboration with Washington-based firm SWERVE, which specializes in fleet driver training.
PRODUCT: Hands-on fleet safety training service now included in construction insurance
COMPANY: XL Group, North America Construction
BEST RATING: A (Excellent)
AVAILABILITY: XL Group’s construction and loss prevention offerings are available on an open-brokerage basis, and most of the brokers XL Group’s North American Construction serves specialize in construction risks. Fleet safety training is a value-added service available to primary casualty construction clients who purchase auto liability, general liability and workers compensation with XL Group.
FOCUS: XL Group launched its dedicated construction insurance business in 2011. “The construction industry suffers a lot of vehicle accident losses,” says Scott Merchant, head of XL Group's construction risk engineering team. “Our team solely serves the construction market, providing all the insurance coverages, risk management services and specialized claims assistance that contractors need to run safe, profitable and successful operations. We continue to build out our risk engineering services that support this ultimate goal.”
The construction risk engineering team offers a variety of fleet safety services, including mock fleet audits and online safety training, but has sought means to stem losses even further. The team found its answer in a collaboration with Washington-based firm SWERVE, which specializes in fleet driver training. “Our new service through SWERVE takes our safety training a step further with behind-the-wheel safety training that we design specifically for each client,” Merchant explains. Unlike other fleet driver training companies, SWERVE Fleet Training focuses on learning by doing. The benefit, says Merchant, is that “our client’s drivers receive face-to-face training with SWERVE trainers who also put them through real-life driving scenarios that they might expect to see on the jobsite or on the road.”
The fleet safety training not only improves lives, but reaps other benefits for a construction firm, explains Merchant: "For one, properly trained drivers lead to fewer injuries that can help manage workers compensation costs. Plus, safer drivers help companies lower repair expenses and avoid vehicle downtime.”
UNDERWRITING: XL Group’s construction risk engineers underwrite each account individually. Admitted coverage includes:
- Auto liability, with capacity up to $2 million
- General liability, with capacity up to $2 million and $4 million
- Workers compensation, with statutory coverages
- Guaranteed cost, deductible and SIR and retros and captives
- CCIPs, OCIPs, RCCIPs and maintenance wraps
MINIMUM PREMIUM: The size of construction firms varies. Premiums are calculated on a risk-by-risk basis.
TARGET: XL Group makes SWERVE safety service training available to all its construction clients that have large or moderate fleets on the road. SWERVE Fleet Training, however, can work with many companies as an outsourced partner for driver training.
COVERAGE TERRITORY: All states.
CONTACT: Scott Merchant, vice president and construction risk engineering manager; XL Group, 190 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60603; 312-444-6514.
Amy Skidmore is an IA contributor.
