With more than 50 locations and 2,000 teammates throughout the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and Asia, Bridge Specialty Group holds market recognition that enables us to connect our retail partners with tailored insurance solutions through our specific practice groups including Property, Casualty, Environmental, Executive Risk, Personal Lines, Public Entity, Farm & Ranch, Transportation and Workers’ Compensation.
Leveraging our exclusive access to limited markets, extensive market knowledge and awareness of wholesale industry trends, Bridge Specialty Group offers valuable insights to help guide and keep retailers aware of the wholesale landscape.
In the following months we’ll spotlight each of the Bridge Specialty Group practice groups and their significance in the marketplace. This month we’re featuring our Public Entity Practice Group, led by Justin Galati, executive vice president.
Get to know our Public Entity Practice Group
Bridge Specialty’s Public Entity Practice Group is an experienced team dedicated to providing specialized insurance solutions to meet the needs of public entities. Formed by teammates from Apex Insurance Agency the practice group specializes in proprietary property and casualty insurance for universities, K-12 schools (public, private and charter) and other government entities nationwide. With strong carrier relationships and dedicated risk management support, they help clients navigate the complexities of the public entity insurance market.
Discover the team’s strength and diversity
The team is spread across various locations, including Mt. Laurel, Chicago, Eugene, San Antonio, Richmond and Atlanta. Each office is led by experienced professionals who bring unique knowledge and experience to the table. This geographical diversity allows the team to address regional nuances and collaborate effectively to tackle challenges in the industry. When asked about the team, Justin emphasized their strength, “We have such a good team that really knows what they’re doing…they’re a bunch of go getters! I’m extremely grateful for every leader who has stepped up over the years and runs each of our offices.”
When it comes to collaboration, the team values discussions surrounding the challenges they face in the public entity sector. Since their focus is entirely on public entities, schools and higher education, these discussions are crucial. According to Justin, “Every single one of us is open and willing to share and collaborate on our approach to the industry trends we encounter as the market changes. This allows us to share insights, brainstorm solutions and support each other in navigating the complexities of our field.”
Challenges in the Public Entity sector
The public entity insurance market has faced significant challenges, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Justin highlighted that the market was already experiencing a downturn before the pandemic, with a reduction in carriers willing to underwrite public entity risks. COVID-19 exacerbated these issues, leading to a hard market and increased difficulties in insuring law enforcement and other public entities. The civil unrest during the pandemic further complicated matters, making law enforcement insurance even more challenging.
Public entities, which rely on taxpayer dollars, find it particularly challenging to navigate these hard market conditions. The market has seen a consistent increase in premiums, with public entities facing 8-12% annual hikes since 2020 and the team has had to be creative with solutions to help public entities secure necessary coverage.
Facing the challenges with innovation and notable success stories
Despite – and because of – these challenges, the Bridge Specialty Public Entity practice group continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and innovation. Its approach involves anticipating market shifts and consistently innovating to provide the best solutions for their clients. One of the key strategies has been fostering strong relationships with carrier partners. These relationships have enabled the team to stay ahead of market trends and identify new players willing to step in as others exit.
Another innovative approach involves the creation and use of risk purchase groups. Tim Staunton, who leads the Chicago office, has been instrumental in developing these groups to address professional liability capacity shortages. In one notable instance, Tim created a risk purchase group in the Midwest to replace lost excess liability capacity for school districts This solution involved collaborating with a major player in the state to pool resources and secure coverage, resulting in a $4-$5 million deal. Tim’s success in this area has set a precedent for similar initiatives in other states, displaying the team’s ability to adapt and innovate in response to market challenges.
One of the standout success stories shared by Justin involves a long-term effort to secure a significant account. Over the course of 14-15 years, Justin and his team worked diligently to build relationships and demonstrate their knowledge and experience to a potential client. This persistence paid off when they finally closed the deal, highlighting the importance of long-term commitment and relationship-building in the public entity insurance space.
The power of collaboration
The team’s collaborative approach has been a cornerstone of their success. Unlike many competitive environments, the team emphasizes cooperation and shared success. Team members frequently collaborate on complex accounts, pooling their knowledge to develop comprehensive solutions. This culture of collaboration not only enhances their ability to address client needs but also fosters a supportive and innovative work environment.
Justin added, “Collaboration on public entity business doesn’t end at Apex; we work very closely with our largest internal partners including Eric Homer’s teams at Clear Risk and PRU Florida. The pain points of our sector belong to all of us and understanding them from the ground up gives us all more insight to create the best solutions for everyone and most importantly the entities we all work to insure.”
Goals for 2025
As the public entity practice group looks further into 2025, their goals include staying the course and remaining focused on growth and innovation. “We are excited about the expansion of our ancillary lines, such as cyber insurance, and the development of new programs to meet the evolving needs of our clients,” says Justin. The Public Entity practice group continues to exemplify resilience, innovation and collaboration in the face of market challenges. Their ability to adapt to changing conditions, foster strong relationships and develop creative solutions has positioned them as trusted resources for public entities across the country.
Explore our offerings and strengths
Our offerings are diverse and extensive, ensuring that we can address the varied needs of our clients. Here are some of the key products and services we provide:
Coverage options:
- Property & Casualty package solutions
- Law Enforcement Liability
- Public Officials Liability
- School Board Legal Liability
- Employment Practices Liability
- Workers’ Compensation
- Excess and Reinsurance
- Cyber
- Pollution Liability
- Active Shooter, Conceal Carry
- Professional Liability
- Student Accident & Volunteer Accident
- Crime & Fiduciary Liability
- Monoline EPL & Sexual Abuse
- Special Event Services
Leverage our strengths
- Extensive Brokerage Services: Placing over $530M in premium across multiple market partners in 2024.
- Full-Service Operations: Including brokerage, underwriting, loss control, TPA, and administrative operations, providing solutions for over 100 pools and trusts across the country.
- Comprehensive Insurance Program Packages: Offering cost-effective packages and monoline professional liability.
- Data-Driven Loss Control Services: Delivering a broad range of services to manage and mitigate risks.
Programs we offer:
- K-12 Public, Private, Charter Schools, Colleges and Universities
- Special Districts, Water, Sewer, Sanitary
- Non-profit and Social Services
- Municipalities
- Law Enforcement Agencies
- Housing/Transit/Airport/Water Authorities
- Special Purpose Government Entities
- Program/Pool/Trust Administrator
- Educational Systems
- Tribal / Sovereign Nations
Product spotlight
- Proprietary Property and Casualty Insurance Programs: Tailored for universities, public and private K-12 schools, charter schools, and government entities nationwide.
- Package Products for Schools, Municipalities, and Nonprofits: Designed to fit the unique needs of insured members, available exclusively to pool members in specific states.
- National Tribal Proprietary Package: Property, casualty, and tribal workers benefits product, exclusive to Arrowhead Tribal Program.
For more information about the Bridge Specialty Public Entity Practice Group, contact Justin Galati at [email protected] or (773) 962-7939.
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