2025
The division hosted its inaugural Environmental Day of Learning in New York City, bringing together early career brokers and underwriters for a full day of education, hands on sessions and industry insights led by experts in underwriting, claims and risk engineering.
The division launched Contractors ProProtect, offering streamlined pollution and professional liability coverage for contractors with annual revenues less than or equal to $25M, including key protections for cleanup costs, bodily injury, property damage, and transportation exposures. The rollout also introduced a user-friendly online quoter tool that delivers fast, fully electronic quotes within minutes.
The division introduced GLIDER, an integrated policy that merges ISO based commercial general liability with robust environmental protection, including coverage for site specific pollution legal liability, contractor’s pollution liability, products pollution and exposure liability, and transported cargo pollution exposures. Crafted by pollution specialist underwriters, GLIDER offers a coordinated solution for businesses facing overlapping general liability and environmental risks.
The division partnered with División Daños México to debut specialized environmental liability coverage in the Mexican market, beginning with the launch of Premises Environmental Liability to address clean-up costs, legal fees and pollution related damages for a wide range of property types.
Great American reaffirmed its A.M. Best “A+” (Superior) rating, underscoring its financial strength and commitment to policyholders.
2024
Senior Vice President and Head of Claims Gregory Kelder was inducted into the 2024 Insurance Business America (IBA) Hall of Fame.
The division introduced AeroProtect, a specialized environmental liability solution designed to fill coverage gaps within aviation, airport, and aerospace operations.
The division, in partnership with Mergers & Acquisitions and Specialty Construction, launched CarbonProtect, an integrative insurance solution designed to support organizations investing in carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies.
The division released an enhanced Professional and Contracting Services Environmental Liability Insurance Policy (PCM), offering broader and more streamlined protection.
Divisional Senior Vice President Rick Ringenwald is appointed Chief Underwriting Officer.
The division launched a post-bind survey incentive program to strengthen the collection of broker feedback.
2023
The division celebrated 15 years of service, highlighting achievements, product offerings and resources over the years.
The division launched its Hard Hat Hub, providing a variety of dedicated educational tools and resources for contractors pollution liability.
2022
Great American celebrated its milestone 150th anniversary.
AXLE (Auto eXposure Liability for Environmental) was launched as a transportation pollution liability solution to address environmental exposures beyond standard auto coverage.
2021
The Claims Scenario Library launched, helping brokers explain environmental risks through real-world examples.
The division was recognized as a 5-Star Environmental Insurance Provider and a Top Environmental Carrier by Insurance Business America.
TankAssure, the division’s user-friendly online quoting and binding program for storage tank coverage, was launched.
The division launched Discover What We Cover: A Great American Environmental Podcast, the first Great American Insurance Group podcast, sharing insights and expertise on environmental insurance.
Divisional President Mark Vuono celebrated 40 years in the environmental insurance industry.
A specialized learning and development team was formed to expand the division’s training offerings while working closely with department leaders to curate resources that most effectively support our team and their brokers.
The division launched its product video series, highlighting how Great American Environmental’s products address environmental concerns with clear, competitive solutions.
2020
The Broker Toolkit launched to help brokers better understand and explain environmental liability exposures to their clients.
The division conducted its initial Broker Satisfaction Survey to gather feedback and refine service offerings.
The division served as a national visionary sponsor for the Center for Creative Land Recycling, supporting community revitalization initiatives.
2019
The division released a new endorsement enhancing the Premises Environmental Liability Insurance Policy.
2018
The division celebrated a decade of success in the environmental insurance industry with a series of charitable and specialized events throughout the year.
The division released a new endorsement enhancing the Premises Environmental Liability Insurance Policy.
The division introduced specialized Premises Environmental Liability coverage for Commercial Lenders to support evolving financial-sector needs.
Blueprint, a program tailored for contractors, was launched by the division to address unique environmental liability exposures.
Environmental Insider expanded to become an industry-leading resource featuring expert-created content from underwriting, claims, and risk engineering teams.
2017
The GREAT AMERICAN REWARDS program launched, offering exclusive incentives to qualifying brokers and agents.
The division further expanded its reach with the opening of a Boston office.
A dedicated environmental marketing team was established at Great American’s Cincinnati home office to help brokers promote environmental coverage more effectively.
2016
The first issue of Environmental Insider was published, establishing a new channel for industry insights.
The division’s annual fishing charter event debuted, quickly becoming a valued tradition among agents and brokers.
Mark Vuono was appointed Divisional President, guiding the division into its next phase of growth.
2015
The division began offering coverage for international exposures, expanding its global reach.
Loss limits increased to $50 million per loss, with a $100 million aggregate, strengthening the division’s ability to support large-scale risks.
2013
The division introduced enhanced Premises Pollution Liability coverage to support evolving client needs.
2012
The division expanded its reach with the opening of a New York office.
2011
The Massachusetts Business Development Corporation selected Great American Environmental as a Selective Insurance Carrier for its Brownfield Redevelopment program.
2010
The division launched its Contracting Services Project-Specific Liability coverage in response to industry challenges caused by contaminated imported drywall.
2008
Great American Insurance Group’s Environmental Division was formed, with Mark Vuono appointed as Chief Underwriting Officer.
Great American Insurance Company reached 100 consecutive years of earning an "A" or higher rating from AM Best.
2005
Environmental coverage evolved significantly, expanding to include mold, lender-only policies, historical-only site coverage, electromagnetic fields (EMFs), radioactive exposures, and non-certified terrorism protection.
2002
The Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act required the EPA to establish standards for “All Appropriate Inquiries” (AAI), reshaping environmental due diligence requirements.
1990
The environmental insurance market continued to grow as several new carriers emerged and new products, such as Occurrence CPL, Professional Liability, multi-year PLLs, cost-cap coverage, and closure/post-closure solutions, were introduced.
1986
Additional environmental carriers entered the field, expanding market capacity. PLL coverage broadened to include on-site coverage, and Contractors Pollution Liability (CPL) was introduced on a claims-made basis.
1985
A single environmental pollution carrier existed in the marketplace, extending a prolonged hard market for environmental coverage.
1981
The first Pollution Legal Liability (PLL) policies entered the market, offering limited coverage with annual terms for site-specific risks.
1980
New environmental regulations, including RCRA and CERCLA, were enacted. CERCLA (Superfund) imposed strict cleanup liability on polluters, who increasingly sought protection under GL policies.
1973
The industry enforced a pollution exclusion under GL policies, clarifying that coverage was not intended for pollution that insureds expected or intended to produce.
1960
Growing environmental concerns led to the creation of new federal and state laws that established liability frameworks for environmental cleanups.
1872
Great American Insurance Company issued its first policy, marking the beginning of its long-standing commitment to protection and reliability.
