EXPLANATION OF TERMS IN THIS DIRECTORY

The annual Business Insurance directory of wholesale marketers lists underwriting managers, managing general agents and surplus lines brokers that responded to a BI questionnaire.

The directory is published as an editorial service; there is no charge for companies to be listed.

Listings begin with each company's name, address, telephone number, fax number and World Wide Web site address.

Companies were required to report information on premium volume to be included, and this information is provided in the listings. Also included are: gross revenues (defined as commissions and fees after commissions to producers, including investment income and contingent commissions), number of employees and the percentage of premium volume related to commercial lines. A percentage breakout of premium volume placed with admitted vs. non-admitted insurers is also listed.

The business section provides a breakout of the percentage of business conducted as each of these categories: underwriting manager, MGA, Lloyd's of London coverholder and wholesale broker. Listings also include lists of the companies for whom these services are provided.

BI defines an underwriting manager as a company that handles all the affairs of the insurance company, including underwriting, reinsurance and claims, with the possible exception of investments.

A managing general agent is defined as having underwriting authority for an insurer, which includes the ability to determine rates on individual risks. It can bind and issue policies on behalf of the insurer. The managing general agent may or may not have reinsurance and claims supervision authority related to the insurance it has written.

Companies listed as a coverholder for Lloyd's of London hold the authority to bind and/or issue insurance documentation on behalf of a Lloyd's underwriter.

A broker places business with markets but has no underwriting authority or binding authority without approval of the insurer.

The year founded and parent company (if any) are noted next. Locations of branch offices, subsidiaries and specialties are also listed.

A list of states in which the company is licensed to do business as an excess/surplus lines broker is included, as well as membership in either of the two national surplus lines organizations -- the American Assn. of Managing General Agents (AAMGA) and the National Assn. of Professional Surplus Lines Offices (NAPSLO).

Principal officers and a contact name complete each listing.

In addition to this directory of wholesale marketers, a listing of excess and surplus lines insurers begins on page 34.

Although BI makes every effort to publish complete and accurate information, we are unable to verify all information provided.