Vela Insurance Services

Our Mission

Vela Insurance Services is committed to providing risk mitigation products exclusively through the wholesale distribution channel. We are building our business through organic growth in submissions and binders based on the all-important personal relationships our people build with clients. These relationships are founded on attentive listening, rapid and informative response, realistic underwriting, the best combination of high-touch and hightech client access and support, and efficient, equitable in-house claims management.

Company Description

Vela Insurance Services was founded in 1996 as an underwriting manager of excess and surplus lines casualty insurance with a special focus on construction, manufacturing and professional services risks. Since that time we have expanded both our product array and geographic footprint. Vela underwrites on behalf of Gemini Insurance Company and other member companies of W. R. Berkley Corporation. Gemini Insurance Company is rated A+ XV (Superior) by A.M. Best and A+ (Strong) by Standard & Poor's.

Vela maintains underwriting offices in Chicago, IL, Jacksonville, FL, Radnor, PA, Solvang, CA, San Diego, CA, and Walnut Creek, CA. Our claims offices in Omaha, NE and Chicago, IL provide effective and efficient claims handling for all incidents reported.

Vela is a member company of W. R. Berkley Corporation, recognized as one of the most respected and secure names in the insurance industry.

How Vela Insurance Services is Different

Vela’s business growth is attributable to the strength of our relationships with our appointed broker clients. Yes, we are selective about our appointments. But once we choose to work with you, your needs are our first priority. In order to deliver on this client-centric mission, we have structured our enterprise to facilitate the straight-forward decision making and problem solving our clients seek.

• Our underwriters are empowered to act. We respond to client submissions and requests within 24-48 hours.
• The vast majority of policies are bound and issued in one to two days.
• If we turn down a risk our clients know why, quickly and honestly. This helps them to re-position the account for a positive response.

Claims management sets us apart. Our in-house staff of veteran claims experts is focused on providing timely and fair settlements. We are keenly aware that insureds rate their insurers by how claims are managed. In our view, personalized, hands-on claims service is a critical component in long-standing client relationships.

Vela uses technology to enhance client communication and promote productivity. Our website is a robust resource for our clients, both to monitor their business with us and to learn more about our products and capabilities.

About W. R. Berkley Corporation

W. R. Berkley Corporation, founded in 1967, is one of the nation's premier commercial lines property casualty insurance providers. Each of the operating units in the Berkley group participates in a niche market requiring specialized knowledge about a territory or product. Our competitive advantage lies in our long-term strategy of decentralized operations, allowing each of our units to identify and respond quickly and effectively to changing market conditions and local customer needs. This decentralized structure provides financial accountability and incentives to local management and enables us to attract and retain the highest caliber professionals. We have the expertise and resources to utilize our strengths in the present environment, and the flexibility to anticipate, innovate and respond to whatever opportunities and challenges the future may hold.

Contact Information

For more information about Vela Insurance Services, please visit our website at www.vela-ins.com or contact us at our home office or any of our field offices.

HOME OFFICE
Vela Insurance Services
311 South Wacker Drive
Suite 3600
Chicago, IL 60606
Tel: (312) 553-4413
Fax: (312) 553-4431
brokerinfo@vela-ins.com

REGIONAL OFFICES
Eastern Regional Office
311 South Wacker Drive
Suite 3600
Chicago, IL 60606
Tel: (312) 553-4413
Fax: (312) 553-4431
brokerinfo@vela-ins.com

Western Regional Office
1277 Treat Blvd., Suite 300
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
Tel: (925) 472-8220
Fax: (866) 343-4483
brokerinfo@vela-ins.com

BRANCH OFFICES
Jacksonville Branch Office
4600 Touchton Rd. East
Building 100
Suite 400
Jacksonville, FL 32246
Tel: (904) 363-8015
Fax: (866) 343-4483
brokerinfo@vela-ins.com

Omaha Claims Office
11516 Nicholas Street
Suite 301
Omaha, NE 68154
Tel: (402) 492-8352
Fax: (866) 345-6836
claims@vela-ins.com

Radnor Branch Office
150 N. Radnor Chester Road
Suite A270
Radnor, PA 19087
Tel: (610) 688-4275
Fax: (866) 343-4483
brokerinfo@vela-ins.com

San Diego Branch Office
11835 Carmel Mountain Rd
Suite 13040-315
San Diego, CA 92128
Tel: (858) 521-8402
Fax: (866) 343-4483
brokerinfo@vela-ins.com

Solvang Branch Office
2029 Village Lane
Suite 201
Solvang, CA 93463
Tel: (805) 693-0839
Fax: (866) 343-4483
brokerinfo@vela-ins.com

TOLL FREE
For Omaha, NE
Tel: (866) 915-7478

TOLL FREE
For All Other Locations
Tel: (877) 835-2467