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INSURANCE CARRIER

Berkley Aspire

Excess and surplus lines commercial insurance for hard-to-place Georgia business risks.

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RATINGS & OVERVIEW

How This Carrier Rates

AM Best

A+ Superior (W.R. Berkley Corporation)

JD Power Personal

JD Power Commercial

E&S specialty carrier, not included in the J.D. Power Small Commercial study.

NAIC Complaint Index

Berkley Aspire is the excess and surplus lines (E&S) arm of W.R. Berkley Corporation. E&S markets exist for commercial risks that admitted carriers decline or cannot price competitively. For Georgia businesses with high-hazard operations, unusual industry classes, complex claims history, or emerging business types, Berkley Aspire is often the right placement. Non-admitted status means the Georgia Guaranty Fund does not apply; the surplus lines broker is required to make this disclosure at binding.

WHY CHOOSE THEM

What This Carrier Does Well

Strength 1

Specialty E&S appetite for Georgia commercial risks admitted markets decline

Strength 2

Capacity for complex and unusual industry classes that require specialty underwriting

Strength 3

Part of W.R. Berkley Corporation, a well-established commercial insurance organization with AM Best A+ rating

LIMITATIONS TO KNOW

Where They Fall Short

Weakness 1

Non-admitted surplus lines status means Georgia Guaranty Fund protection does not apply

Weakness 2

Premium higher than admitted markets reflects risk profile; not competitive for standard business classes

Weakness 3

Policy language and terms may differ from admitted market equivalents in ways that matter at claim time; clients should review manuscript forms carefully before binding

Best Fit For

Non-standard commercial risks and specialty businesses that the admitted market declines, including unique operations, higher-hazard classes, and businesses with prior losses.

Not A Good Fit For

Standard commercial businesses that qualify for admitted market carriers. Berkley Aspire is a surplus lines option for non-standard commercial risks only.

APPETITE & COVERAGE

What They Write

Coverage Types

E&S BOP, GL, workers comp (specialty), commercial auto (specialty), professional liability (specialty), cyber

Best Pricing For

Hard-to-place Georgia commercial risks the admitted market declines. Most competitive on construction-related E&S placements including roofing, demolition, hospitality, and habitational.

Industry Classes

Roofing, demolition, high-hazard construction, hospitality, habitational, specialty manufacturing, cannabis-adjacent, emerging industries

Admitted Status

Non-admitted (surplus lines) for most Georgia commercial placements

CLAIMS & PRICING

What to Expect

Claims Experience

Established E&S commercial claims infrastructure. Claims handling reflects specialty risk nature; adjusters have experience with the complex claim scenarios that lead businesses to E&S placements.

Pricing Context

Berkley Aspire prices E&S commercial risks competitively when admitted carriers are unavailable or have declined. They are not a first-market option for standard commercial risks.

vs Competitors

Primary comparison is other E&S markets (RT Specialty, Burns & Wilcox, Markel). Berkley Aspire is often competitive on construction-related E&S placements. Admitted markets are always tried first; Berkley Aspire is the fallback when they decline.

File a Claim

Call to report a claim:

Phone unavailable

STATE AVAILABILITY

Where They Write

States Available

GA and most US states through surplus lines

Personal Lines States

Commercial Lines States

GA and most US states through surplus lines

Do We Work With Them?

Yes (surplus lines)

Common questions

Can my insurance carrier deny my claim?

Yes, for specific policy reasons that must be in writing. You can challenge a denial.

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What is a recorded statement and should I give one?

An on-record interview the carrier uses for the file. Give one, but prepare first and never speculate.

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What happens after I report a claim to my insurance carrier?

Acknowledge, assign adjuster, investigate, decide. Most carriers move within 7-30 days for routine claims.

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Do I have to use the carrier's preferred contractor?

Usually no. Most policies let you choose any licensed contractor, though preferred shops have their own benefits.

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