Western National Insurance Announces Launch of Specialty Co.

Western National Insurance Group recently announced its plan to launch a new property/casualty insurance company with a focus on specialty lines of business. The Group currently has a wholly-owned company shell, Pioneer Insurance Co., which will be renamed “Pioneer Specialty Insurance Company” and, after appropriate capitalization, will commence writing selected classes of commercial business in the first quarter of 2008.

Brian A. Jermeland will assume the role of senior vice president and general manager. Jermeland has held various management roles at Northland Insurance Co., most recently serving as vice president of Fleet Transportation.

Western National Insurance Group consists of five regional property/ casualty insurance companies with shared administrative offices in Edina, Minn. Western National Mutual Insurance Company writes personal and commercial lines in Minn., Wis., S.D., N.D. and Iowa.

Source: Western National Insurance Group