Markel

noproblembuddy

Site Supporter
Sep 14, 2009
819
8
18
Peterborough ON
www.ratenroll.com
2
What's the deal with every small carrier (and start-up carriers it appears) in the GTA using Markel? I monitor carriers and they seem very popular. Do they give really good rates or are they the broker of last resort if no one else wants to insure you? Zurich and Old Republic seem to be taking on a lot of companies that used to be with Kingsway.
 
Markel is historically more expensive but I think they like the smaller guys because they can charge more. We moved to Zurich a few years ago and what a great company to work with plus we have great rates with them.
 
Markel Insurance has been known to abandon small carriers when large claims arise. They seem to have a mandate to deny a certain percentage of claims. They have no problem charging a substantial premium but will look for any angle to deny coverage. They prey on small carriers that do not have the resources to litigate against them. Stay far away .............
 
I agree with Truckit. Markel will pull out all the stops to avoid paying a claim. A carriers trailer was parked 100ft from his rental property line when it was stolen fully loaded and they refused to pay even though thats where the trailers had been parked for 5+ years. Once they sued a landlord claiming his rental property wasn't secure enough. One good thing about Markel is that if someone needs to be named as a certificate holder you can print your own online and don't have to bother your broker and wait a day.
 
. One good thing about Markel is that if someone needs to be named as a certificate holder you can print your own online and don't have to bother your broker and wait a day.


Wow if you are waiting that long you have the wrong broker I email my broker and within 15 minutes I have my requested cert. Brian Boileau and Joe Pollard at Cowen in Kitchener.
 
Just an FYI off the top of my head a couple of "small" carriers using Markel:

Concord Transportation/Adelauder (not sure if spelled correctly)
Quick X Transportation
Challenger Motor Freight
Mill Creek Motor Freight
Erb International
Vitran Logistics
 
I believe that Kingsway is getting out of the US exposure. They will still insure Canadian Domestic carriers but are not renewing any carrier that moves equipment into the US.
 
I got to say we are happy with Zurich
using Cowan out of Kitchner as the broker .
But what i have seen markel will insure when the other 2 will not
 
Very interesting

In our last 10 yeras of business, we have never been solicited by Markel previouly, except for this year.
They came in with a bid that was lower than our current insurer for an increase in coverage. They were cheaper for full hazmat insurance in the USA for $5 million. but more expensive on the 3 million.

We stayed with our previous insurer.