Finding the right commercial insurance carrier is crucial for protecting your business. But with thousands of options, it can be tricky to identify quality surplus lines insurers.
American Empire Surplus Lines Insurance Company (AESLIC) is one of the more unique players in this space In this comprehensive review, we’ll take a close look at AESLIC’s financials, ratings, products, target markets, customer feedback, and more.
Whether you’re considering AESLIC for E&O, D&O, or other coverage, read on to learn if they’re the right fit.
About American Empire Surplus Lines Insurance
Founded in 1961 and based in Cincinnati, OH, AESLIC provides surplus lines insurance across the United States. They are licensed to operate in all 50 states and D.C.
AESLIC is a subsidiary of Great American Insurance Group, which specializes in property & casualty insurance for commercial clients. The company offers specialized policies for businesses not adequately covered by standard insurers.
With 60+ years in the industry, AESLIC brings deep expertise in surplus lines for complex risks. They focus on attentive underwriting and loss control to deliver tailored solutions.
American Empire Surplus Lines Financial Strength
As a subsidiary of Great American Insurance, AESLIC shares the parent company’s strong financial backing:
- A.M. Best Rating: A+ (Superior)
- Standard & Poor’s Rating: A+ (Strong)
These top-tier ratings indicate AESLIC has the fiscal strength to pay substantial claims. Even in periods of widespread economic distress, you can have confidence they will deliver on promises.
AESLIC also carries strong capitalization with over $2.5 billion in assets. For a surplus lines carrier, this financial foundation brings welcome stability.
Commercial Policies from AESLIC
American Empire Surplus Lines writes specialized property/casualty policies for commercial clients, including:
Errors & Omissions Liability – Protects against claims of failure to perform professional duties. Critical for consultants, architects, etc.
Directors & Officers Liability – Safeguards corporate leadership against claims of mismanagement. Crucial for public/private companies.
Cyber Liability – Covers data breaches, ransomware attacks, privacy violations, and associated costs. Vital given rising cybercrime.
Employment Practices Liability – Shields against claims of discrimination, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, etc. by employees.
Fidelity Bonds – Indemnify against theft, fraud, or dishonesty by employees. Applicable for any business handling money.
Professional Liability – Covers claims of malpractice against doctors, lawyers, accountants, and other specialty professionals.
AESLIC also offers general commercial policies such as BOP, commercial auto, property, inland marine, workers comp, and umbrella insurance.
American Empire Surplus Lines Specialties
While serving most industries, AESLIC focuses on these niche sectors:
- Real Estate & Hospitality
- Community Associations
- Social Services & Human Services
- Technology
- Financial Institutions
- Healthcare
Their underwriters and risk management teams bring specialized expertise in these complex segments. This allows tailored coverage and risk mitigation.
Customer Feedback on American Empire Surplus Lines
There are limited online customer reviews on AESLIC specifically. However, reviews for the larger Great American Insurance group largely indicate positive experiences:
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Policyholders highlight responsive claims service and knowledgeable underwriters.
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Many reviews mention reasonable premiums for the coverage provided.
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Great American’s A+ rating from the BBB reflects their customer service commitment.
Negative feedback is minimal and usually involves struggles reaching underwriters quickly or delays resolving claims disputes. Overall, AESLIC’s stability and attentive service appear consistent with Great American’s reputation.
The Bottom Line: Who Should Consider AESLIC?
American Empire Surplus Lines Insurance brings deep knowledge in specialty niches like real estate, hospitality, social services, technology, and financial firms.
Businesses in these sectors looking for tailored coverage of complex risks should consider contacting their underwriters. With 60+ years of experience and Great American’s strong financial backing, AESLIC can be an ideal choice when your needs exceed standard insurance policies.
Of course, it’s smart to compare options from multiple E&O/D&O carriers and independent brokers. But for many, AESLIC offers an optimal blend of expertise, flexibility, and fiscal stability critical to protecting vulnerable business assets and leadership.
For Agents, Brokers, Customers, Potential Customers or Claimants of our Singapore Operations
Anybody who uses or wants to use the Great American website must follow all of the rules spelled out in the Web Site Usage Agreement Terms and Conditions, with a few exceptions listed below.
You agree that any information on the Website about Great American’s insurance business, products, or services offered outside of Singapore: (a) is only for people outside of Singapore; and (b) people in Singapore should not act on this information.
You must follow Singaporean law when you use this website, unless the laws say otherwise. The exclusive venue for the resolution of any related dispute is a court of competent jurisdiction in Singapore. If any part of these terms and conditions is ruled invalid by a court with the right to do so, the invalid provision(s) are removed. The remaining provisions are not affected and are still valid and enforceable according to their clear language.
This contract says that a person who is not a party to it has no rights. This is because of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act (Cap 53B) to enforce any term of these terms and conditions.
For Agents, Brokers, Customers, Potential Customers or Claimants of our Canadian Operations
Customers, potential customers, and claimants of Great American’s Canadian operations must follow all the terms and conditions of the Web Site Usage Agreement, except for the ones changed below:
You agree that any information on the Website about Great American’s insurance business, products, or services offered outside of Canada: (a) is only for people outside of Canada; and (b) people in Canada should not use this information.
Anyone who visits this website must follow the rules set by the province of Ontario and the federal government of Canada. The only laws that don’t apply are those that deal with conflicts of laws. Any related disputes can only be settled in a court with the right to hear them in the City of Toronto, Ontario. If any part of these terms and conditions is ruled invalid by a court with the right to do so, the invalid provision(s) are removed. The remaining provisions are not affected and are still valid and enforceable according to their clear language.
You must start any action or claim you have about these Terms and Conditions or the Web Site within one (1) year of the claim or cause of action occurring. If you don’t, the action or claim will be forever barred.
If these Terms and Conditions and/or the rules and regulations on this website are broken, Great American reserves the right to seek all legal and equitable remedies. This includes, but is not limited to, blocking access from a certain internet address.
Some parts of these Terms and Conditions may not be legal if decided by a court. If that happens, that part will be taken out and won’t affect the legality or enforceability of the other parts. These Terms and Conditions are the only agreement between you and Great American that have to do with how you use the Website.
Medical Records Associates, Inc. v. American Empire Surplus Lines Insurance (1998) Overview | LSData
FAQ
What are the disadvantages of surplus lines insurance?
What is a surplus lines insurance company?
Which insurance association represents the surplus lines industry?
Why would someone place their insurance with a surplus lines broker?
Who is Great American Risk Solutions surplus lines insurance company?
Great American Risk Solutions Surplus Lines Insurance Company is an OH domiciled surplus lines insurance company, eligible to underwrite surplus lines insurance in all states and the D.C., with its principal place of business at 301 E. Fourth St., Cincinnati, OH 45202, NAIC number 35351. Mid-Continent Assurance Company
Who is Mid-Continent excess & surplus insurance company?
Mid-Continent Excess and Surplus Insurance Company is an OH domiciled surplus lines insurance company, eligible to underwrite surplus lines insurance in all states and the D.C. except in AL, CA, IN, NY and WA, with its principal place of business at 1437 S. Boulder Ave., Suite 200, Tulsa, OK 74119, NAIC number 13794. Oklahoma Surety Company
What is the surplus lines market?
The surplus lines market is a brokered market providing flexibility in rate and form to meet customer needs for high risk and specialized insurance products. The surplus lines information on this Web Site is designed to provide general information for insurance professionals only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation.
Are surplus lines insureds protected by state guarantee funds?
Surplus lines insurers do not generally participate in State Guaranty Funds and thus insureds are not protected by State Guaranty Funds. The surplus lines market is a brokered market providing flexibility in rate and form to meet customer needs for high risk and specialized insurance products.