WellPoint acquires DeCare Dental

EAGAN, Minn.óIndianapolis-based WellPoint Inc. has acquired DeCare Dental, an Eagan, Minn., dental plan administrator that handles 4 million members in 22,000 employer groups.

As a result of the acquisition, WellPoint said it will provide and administer dental benefits to 9 million members, and build on the medical coverage it already provides.

Merger forms Arete broker, consultant

DENVERóThree companies have merged to form Arete Partners L.L.C., a Denver-based boutique insurance brokerage and consulting firm. Arete Human Capital Consulting in Denver; Diversified Insurance Services of Castle Rock, Colo.; and WSF Financial Services of Chicago merged to form Arete.

The new entity will provide insurance brokerage, benefits consulting and financial services to clients in the Americas.

Based in Denver, Arete will have an office in Chicago and plans to open offices in Los Angeles and Mexico City this fall. The Denver office is located at 16 Market Square, 1400 16th St., Suite 400, Denver, Colo. 80202. Its phone number is 720-932-8010, and its fax number is 720-932-8100.

Gallagher acquires Missouri-based broker

LIBERTY, Mo.óArthur J. Gallagher & Co. said it has acquired Specialty Risk Inc., a retail brokerage based in Liberty, Mo. that provides risk management and commercial property/casualty insurance products and services.

It specializes in occupational accident, corporate and fleet workers compensation, physical damage and nontrucking liability insurance for independent contractors, fleet and company drivers, and motor carriers.

Terms of the purchase by the Itasca, Ill.-based brokerage were not disclosed.

Specialty Risk will continue to operate out of its current location. Michael Henthorn, south central regional manager for Gallagher's retail property/casualty brokerage operation, will direct the office.

Ascension purchases Employers Mutual

STUART, Fla.óAscension Insurance Inc. said it has acquired Stuart, Fla.-based Employers Mutual Inc. for an undisclosed price.

Ascension is a Kansas City, Mo.-based insurance and employee benefits agency providing brokerage and risk management services to middle-market companies.

Employers Mutual specializes in self-funded workers compensation, employee benefits, property/casualty and liability brokerage services.

California brokers join forces

SAN DIEGOóSan Diego-based brokerage Barney & Barney L.L.C. has merged with Saylor & Hill Co., an Oakland, Calif.-based brokerage. The combined companies will provide insurance, risk management and employee benefit services.

They will retain their names, offices, staff and management.

FP Marine Risks adds Sydney office

SYDNEY, AustraliaóFP Marine Risks Ltd., a Hong Kong-based marine insurance broker, has opened an office in Sydney, Australia. It is the company's sixth international office and second in Australia.

Tim Cutler, will lead the new office as assistant general manager

"Sydney is a strategically important insurance center in Australia and the Sydney office will play an integral role in strengthening our existing relationships," said Phillip Bilney, group executive director for the company that also is a Lloyd's of London broker. "We are particularly excited by the opportunity this gives us to accelerate the introduction of new products and initiatives throughout the region."

Krauter & Co. adds West Coast offices

NEW YORKóKrauter & Co., a insurance and benefits broker specializing in mergers and acquisitions and a member of New York-based Krauter Group, has set up new offices in Kirkland, Wash., and Redwood City, Calif.

The Washington state office is at 5400 Carillon Point, Building 5000, 4th floor, Kirkland, Wash. 98033. The phone number is 425-576-4000 and the fax number is 425-576-4040.

The California office is at 303 Twin Dolphin Drive, Suite 600, Redwood City, Calif. 94065. Its phone and fax are, respectively, 650-632-4532 and by fax at 650-632-4433.

Ohio Casualty expands to Va.

GLEN ALLEN, Va.óOhio Casualty, a Fairfield, Ohio-based Liberty Mutual Agency Markets regional company, has opened a branch office to provide commercial lines and inland marine underwriting services for agents in central and southern Virginia.

The office at 301 Concourse Blvd., Suite 240, Glen Allen, Va. 23059, will provide access to fidelity, surety, excess casualty and unsupported umbrella products from Liberty Mutual.

Janet Buchanan will manage the branch's staff of 11 people, and the company anticipates the office eventually will become a regional office. The office phone number is 804-270-2671 and the fax number is 804-527-4359.