W. R. Berkley forms Berkley Meridian specialty insurance unit

GREENWICH, Connecticut - W. R. Berkley Corporation, a major player in commercial lines insurance, has unveiled a new specialty insurance business named Berkley Meridian. This entity is the result of merging two well-established companies, Verus Specialty Insurance and Vela Insurance Services.

Marlo M. Morrison will helm the newly formed unit as its president. Morrison has over 30 years of experience in the property and casualty insurance industry, having taken the role of president at Verus Specialty Insurance in 2019.

The combined business will offer underwriting services across a range of specialty lines, including construction, professional liability, garage, casualty, and other areas. Their focus will be on the excess and surplus wholesale broker market. The integration process has already commenced and is anticipated to continue until early 2027.

W. Robert Berkley, Jr., the chairman, chief executive officer, and president of W. R. Berkley Corporation, expressed confidence that this new entity will allow the company to enhance its offerings. He stated that Berkley Meridian will enable the company to provide a more comprehensive and deeper range of solutions.

Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley Corporation operates as an insurance holding company with two segments: Insurance and Reinsurance & Monoline Excess. The company ranks among the largest commercial lines writers in the United States and has a global presence. This announcement was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence and has been reviewed by an editor. More information is available in the Terms and Conditions.