Hamilton Insurance Group has tapped industry leader Lissie Van Leunen to spearhead its newly created US Property Insurance unit, signaling ambitious growth plans in the competitive American market. The Bermuda-based specialty insurer is expanding its stateside operations as climate risks and rebuilding costs reshape property coverage nationwide.
Van Leunen brings 20 years of underwriting experience to the role, most recently leading property programs at a major global carrier. “This is about building solutions for today’s complex property risks,” she commented, noting the division will focus on both traditional and innovative coverage approaches.
The new operation will initially target:
- Commercial property owners in catastrophe-exposed regions
- Mid-market businesses needing specialized coverage
- Renewable energy projects requiring tailored protection
Hamilton’s move comes as US property insurance premiums have risen 30% since 2020 due to increasing severe weather events. The company believes Van Leunen’s expertise in climate-adaptive underwriting can help bridge protection gaps while maintaining profitability.
“Lissie understands how construction costs, zoning changes and climate models intersect,” said a Hamilton executive. Her team will employ advanced analytics to price risks more precisely, avoiding the blanket exclusions some insurers have implemented in high-risk areas.
The US property insurance market presents both challenges and opportunities, with some carriers retreating from wildfire and hurricane zones while others develop new products for evolving risks. Hamilton’s established presence in specialty lines positions it well to expand carefully in this turbulent sector.
Van Leunen plans to launch the division with a hybrid underwriting model combining human expertise with AI-assisted risk assessment. Early products may include parametric options that pay claims based on weather data rather than traditional damage assessments.
Industry watchers suggest Hamilton’s timing could prove strategic as many businesses struggle to find affordable, comprehensive property coverage. The new unit will operate from Hamilton’s existing US offices while building out a specialized underwriting team over the next year.
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