Free Webinar: Professional Communication in the Digital Workspace

Posted by & filed under Events.

Presented by:
Diane P. Mika, Senior Vice President, Risk Management Officer, Berkley Alliance Managers
Joseph Shields, P.E Assistant Vice President, Director of Construction Professional Risk Management, Berkley Construction Professional

Thursday, January 22, 2026
10 AM Pacific/12 PM Central/1 PM Eastern

Registered for:
1.0 AIA Learning Units 
1.0 RCEP Professional Development Hours+

Berkley DP policyholders who participate in this program can qualify for a 15% Risk Management Education credit. Contact your agent for further information*

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In today’s digital-first workplace, professionals routinely generate and share vast amounts of electronically stored information (ESI). This practical, scenario-based webinar will equip professionals with the knowledge and tools to manage ESI responsibly and reduce risk exposure. Through real-world examples and actionable strategies, Diane Mika and Joe Shields will provide insights into smarter email habits.

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Avoiding E&O Claims: 5 Best Practices for Insurance Agents

Posted by & filed under BSP Blog.

By Amanda Federici
Vice President, Berkley Service Professionals, a Berkley Company

December 2, 2025

Even the most experienced agents and brokers can find themselves facing an Errors & Omissions (E&O) claim­—­I’ve seen it firsthand.

These claims are more common than many realize. In fact, one in eight agents will report an E&O claim each year. The average claim costs around $40,000, and that number is climbing by about 10% annually, according to InsuranceThoughtLeadership.com. Whether the claim comes from a policyholder or a carrier, the financial and reputational impact can be serious.

At Berkley Service Professionals, we help agents navigate these risks every day. One of the best ways to protect yourself is by building habits that not only help defend against claims but often prevent them altogether.

Know your legal duties

Understanding your legal responsibilities as an insurance agent is key to avoiding E&O trouble. Two concepts that come up often in claims are agents’ “duty of care” and fiduciary duty.

  • Your “duty of care.” When you help a client secure insurance, the law generally sees you as working on behalf of the insured, not the insurer. That means you’re expected to act in your client’s best interest, using reasonable skill and diligence to help them get the right coverage.

If a client asks for specific coverage, or if their situation clearly calls for something more comprehensive, you’re expected to advise them accordingly. That includes discussing higher limits or additional protections they might not have considered.

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Respond to Subpoenas with Confidence with Subpoena Assistance Coverage

Posted by & filed under BSP Blog.

By Kevin Marrs
Claims Examiner, Berkley Service Professionals, a Berkley Company

November 5, 2025

Getting served with a subpoena is never on anyone’s wish list. Depending on the individual and their familiarity with the legal system, responses can range from calm compliance to complete panic or ignoring the subpoena entirely.

A subpoena is a court order. It’s how the legal system compels individuals or firms to provide testimony or documents related to a matter in court. And because it’s mandatory, failure to comply can lead to fines, contempt of court charges, or even arrest.

Fortunately, professionals insured with Berkley Service Professionals don’t have to navigate this legal issue alone. Berkley Service Professionals includes subpoena assistance coverage with every professional liability policy. This built-in coverage is designed to help policyholders respond to subpoenas efficiently and correctly without incurring excessive costs or scrambling to find outside counsel.

What is subpoena assistance coverage?

Berkley Service Professionals’ subpoena assistance coverage is a dedicated sublimit that sits on top of the professional liability policy’s regular limits of liability. It is not subject to the insured’s deductible, meaning there’s no out-of-pocket expense to the policyholder for using it.

When a policyholder reports a subpoena, Berkley Service Professionals’ claims team will review it to confirm that it pertains to a matter that would be covered under the Policy if a Claim were to be presented, and, if necessary, Berkley will retain vetted panel counsel — experienced attorneys who specialize in professional liability insurance matters, often with industry-specific expertise — to guide the response. These attorneys work at pre-approved rates, helping policyholders avoid the burden of excessive legal fees.

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Jude Sedliak Named Chief Underwriting Officer of Berkley Service Professionals

Posted by & filed under News Releases.

GLASTONBURY, Conn. (October 6, 2025) – Berkley Service Professionals, a division of Berkley Alliance Managers, a Berkley Company, specializing in professional liability insurance products for miscellaneous professionals, announced that Jude Sedliak has been promoted to chief underwriting officer.

“Jude’s extensive professional liability underwriting experience, including specialization in over a dozen E&O classes, positions him perfectly to lead our underwriting team and aligns with our commitment to providing innovative solutions for miscellaneous professional clients,” said Tom Rea, executive vice president of Berkley Service Professionals.

Jude joined Berkley Service Professionals in 2021 as vice president, underwriting. He was promoted to senior vice president in 2023. He has nearly 30 years of experience underwriting professional liability insurance. He previously served as vice president at two leading E&S insurance carriers and at a managing general agency. Jude has achieved the designation of Registered Professional Liability Underwriter (RPLU).

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Berkley Service Professionals, a division of Berkley Alliance Managers, Named One of the 2025 Best Places to Work in Insurance for Second Consecutive Year

Posted by & filed under News Releases.

GLASTONBURY, Conn., September 10, 2025 – Berkley Service Professionals, a division of Berkley Alliance Managers, a Berkley Company, specializing in professional liability insurance products for miscellaneous professionals, announced that it has been recognized as one of the 2025 Best Places to Work in Insurance
by Business Insurance, marking the second consecutive year the business has earned this prestigious honor.

This annual award recognizes insurance businesses that excel at creating outstanding workplaces by emphasizing employee engagement, satisfaction and culture. Only 100 businesses from the industry are chosen based on a comprehensive review of their workplace policies, practices and employee feedback.

“We are incredibly proud to be named a Best Place to Work in Insurance for the second straight year,” said Steve Porcelli, president of Berkley Service Professionals. “This recognition truly reflects our people, their passion, entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering dedication to our clients and each other. At Berkley Service Professionals, we believe investing in our people fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration and long-term success.”

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How Berkley Service Professionals Helped a Broker Turn a Crisis into a Long-Term Success

Posted by & filed under BSP Blog.

By Tom Rea
Executive Vice President, Berkley Service Professionals, a Berkley Company

August 12, 2025

Success in excess and surplus (E&S) lines insurance is not only about having the most competitive pricing or the broadest coverage. It’s also about partnership, problem-solving and putting in the work when the stakes are high. Berkley Service Professionals is built around these values.

Here’s how we helped one broker rescue a key client after a seven-figure loss and why brokers continue to count on us for fast, reliable solutions to their most complex errors and omissions (E&O) challenges.

A Broker in Crisis

The broker’s client was a seasoned insurance professional who experienced a single, substantial claim under the agency’s E&O policy. Ultimately, the agency received a non-renewal notice, and their broker had to approach the market for a new solution.

The broker worked hard to find the same $5 million coverage limit, but most markets either declined the risk or provided only retro-inception coverage, leaving the client without prior acts protection. With the expiration date just weeks away, the broker asked for help from Berkley Service Professionals.

A Collaborative Process

We reviewed the seven-figure claim details with the broker and saw it for what it was: an unfortunate, isolated incident at an otherwise well-run insurance agency with no prior claims.

To confirm that understanding, our underwriting team arranged a call with the insured’s leadership, general counsel, and producers. This gave them the chance to explain what had happened and to share the safeguards they had put in place to prevent future claims.

This conversation showed a level of professionalism, transparency, and proactive risk management that gave our underwriters the confidence to take on the risk. We offered the full $5 million policy the client needed, including prior acts coverage. Two years later, we’re still on the account, and the relationship with the broker is stronger than ever.

Why Brokers Choose Berkley Service Professionals

This example shows the value we provide to brokers through our extensive underwriting insight, engagement and speed of service.

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Free Webinar: Could This Happen to You? Professional Liability Claims and Lessons Learned

Posted by & filed under Events.

Presented by:
Mike Cecere, Vice President, Assistant Claims Manager, Berkley Alliance Managers
John R. Pico, Assistant Vice President, Senior Claims Examiner, Berkley Alliance Managers
Diane P. Mika, Senior Vice President, Risk Management Officer, Berkley Alliance Managers

Thursday, July 10, 2025
10 AM to 10:30 AM Pacific
12 PM to 12:30 PM Central
1 PM to 1:30 PM Eastern

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In the world of professional liability insurance, claims are inevitable, but being caught off guard isn’t. Join us for an engaging and informative webinar designed to help you stay proactive and prepared.

We’ll explore two real-world claim case studies – one about an insurance broker and the other a property manager—offering practical insights you can apply directly to your business.

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Understanding Claims Reporting: Empowering Brokers for Success

Posted by & filed under BSP Blog.

May 7, 2025

When it comes to helping your client navigate professional liability insurance, it’s essential to be well-versed in all the aspects of the policy including when to contact the carrier and how to report a claim. Whether your client is in Real Estate Services, Insurance Services, or other service industries, knowing the ins and outs of the policy can help your client better understand their coverage and how the policy responds to various incidents that may occur. While it may seem simple, there are nuances to even the basics of a professional liability insurance policy. You’ll be prepared with answers if your client asks the following questions.

When should you or your client contact the carrier?

In addition to reporting a claim, there are several reasons you or your client may need to contact us, such as:

  • Changes to the ownership structure of a firm
  • Acquisitions/mergers
  • Changes to services performed (adding or removing services)
  • Requests for changes in coverage, such as a policy enhancement or exclusion.

What do I do when my client lets me know that they have a claim?

At Berkley Service Professionals, we encourage you to promptly report any claims, potential claims, notices of subpoena, or requests for documentation from a law firm. Doing so will benefit your client and enable the carrier to manage the claim proactively.

It also helps to have something reported earlier so that your client does not admit liability or agree to pay without the carrier’s consent.

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Berkley Service Professionals Announces New Real Estate Developers E&O Product

Posted by & filed under News Releases.

Glastonbury, Conn. (April 7, 2025) – Berkley Service Professionals, a division of Berkley Alliance Managers, a Berkley company, specializing in professional liability insurance products for miscellaneous non-medical service professionals, is excited to announce the launch of its Real Estate Developers E&O product.

“We are pleased to broaden our product offering to include Real Estate Developers E&O coverage,” said Tom Rea, executive vice president, Berkley Service Professionals. “As a leader in the miscellaneous professional liability space, we are continuously looking for ways to serve our wholesale brokers and policyholders better.”

The Real Estate Developers E&O product protects developers from lawsuits or claims related to property damage, bodily injury, pollution and third-party discrimination. This coverage can safeguard developers from financial loss while also protecting their reputation.

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Live Event: Best Practices to Avoid Insurance Agent E&O Liability

Posted by & filed under Events.

Presented by:
Blake S. Sando, Partner, CSK | Cole Scott & Kissane
Laura Gookin, Senior Vice President, Berkley Service Professionals

Thursday, March 13, 2025
10 – 10:45 AM Pacific Time
12 – 12:45 PM Central Time
1 – 1:45 PM Eastern Time

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Join us for an insightful webinar with Blake Sando, Partner at CSK, and Laura Gookin, Senior Vice President at BSP who will discuss how to protect yourself from costly E&O claims. Learn the key duties of an insurance agent and implementing best practices to minimize your risk and enhance your professional conduct.

Here are a few Best Practices that will be discussed:

  • The Agents file is the Best Asset in defending against agent E&O liability
  • Document all discussions and decisions in writing
  • Always quote better coverage
  • And more…
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