Leeward Group Launches Personal Umbrella Coverage to Members of the American Bar Association

July 30, 2009 - PRLog -- The Leeward Group, an insurance and reinsurance consulting firm, has announced the rollout of the personal umbrella insurance product for ABA members and employees of their firms (www.abiexcess.com).  This offering is being marketed via an exclusive agreement with American Bar Insurance Plans Consultants, Inc. (ABI) and in conjunction with our “A” rated carrier partner, Navigators Insurance Company.

ABA members and employees of their firms who are concerned about protecting their assets from unfunded liability judgments may now purchase comprehensive personal umbrella insurance coverage at discounted group pricing.  

These policies include limits up to $10 million, as well as coverage for domestic partners, spouses and drivers under 18 years of age.  Unlike most personal umbrella policies in the market today, this umbrella policy also includes $1M of Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage.  This coverage is, arguably, the most important coverage in a personal umbrella policy.

“In today’s marketplace, when the number of uninsured/underinsured motorists in the United States is growing, we felt ABA members should have this coverage available,” says ABI President J. David Andrews, former ABA Treasurer. “This goes beyond existing homeowners and auto policies, without requiring a change in carriers.  It strengthens protection in many areas.”

"We are very excited to be providing this coverage to members of the ABA and employees of their firms," said Bill Cleave, Leeward Group President.  “Surprisingly, many in the legal community purchase inadequate umbrella protection or believe, often in error, that their law firm will provide personal liability protection for them.  This product provides additional protection to help secure their financial assets.”

Among other areas, this personal umbrella protection adds an extra layer of liability coverage for young drivers, rental properties, farmland, watercraft and all types of vehicles.

Under the program, ABA members (and employees of their firms) are eligible for broadened coverages and discounted pricing.  For more information, visit www.abiexcess.com or call 888-392-2497.  The coverage is now available in 41 states and is expected to be in all states by the Fall of this year.  Please check www.abiexcess.com for more details.

American Bar Insurance Plans Consultants, Inc. was established in 1989 as a wholly-owned for-profit subsidiary of the American Bar Endowment.  The Endowment is a non-profit membership organization consisting of ABA members.  It offers unique group insurance programs in which ABA/ABE members are asked to donate dividends to the Endowment to support its program of grants to support research, education and public service in the field of law.  ABI sponsors insurance programs for ABA members that do not lend themselves to the Endowment’s dividend contribution structure.  ABI is paid compensation by the underwriters of the programs it sponsors and dividends an appropriate portion of its net profits to the Endowment to support its charitable work.  The ABA, with more than 400,000 members, is the largest professional voluntary membership organization in the world.

The Leeward Group (www.leewardgroup.com) is a full-service insurance agency and consulting firm serving the insurance needs of thousands of clients throughout the United States.  In addition to their retail insurance operations, they specialize in creating and administering insurance programs for associations and their members, as well as alternative risk management (including reinsurance and captive arrangements).  

The Navigators Group, Inc. is an international specialty insurance holding company with insurance company operations, underwriting management companies and operations at Lloyd’s of London. Coverage is underwritten by Navigators Insurance Company and Navigators Specialty Insurance Company, which are both rated ‘A’ (Excellent) by A.M. Best, and ‘A’ (Strong) by Standard & Poor’s, and by Navigators Syndicate 1221 at Lloyd’s.  The Navigators Group, Inc. is traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol NAVG.