Insurance Broker Changes Name, Targets Broader Financial Business

Pleasanton, CA-based Tanner Insurance Brokers says it has changed its name to Tanner Companies, LLC. The new entity will operate as a holding company for separate units of the financial services business.

``The change will enable us to better respond to our clients' needs in today's rapidly changing business environment,'' said Steve Tanner, chairman. ``We will also be able to establish new ventures to exploit opportunities with great speed.''

Tanner was previously president of Tanner Insurance Brokers, Inc. which he founded in 1982. Tom Daggett, formerly a senior vice president of Tanner Insurance Brokers, has been named president of the Tanner Companies.

Four broad units make up the firm now:

• Tanner Insurance Brokers, Inc is a general insurance brokerage services firm for medium to very large businesses. All forms of property, casualty, and employee benefits coverage are offered.
  
• Tanner Risk Management Services is a consulting division focusing on alternative risk financing, self-insurance, analytics, reinsurance and similar services. Working through Tancap, LLC, a Tanner subsidiary, this unit handles formation and management of client-owned (captive) insurance subsidiaries.
  
• RiskProNet West specializes in insurance for technology companies, placing special focus on the unique risks faced by Internet-based firms.
  
• Claim Solutions, Inc is a wholly owned third-party claim administration firm. Tanner has long offered these services and this unit adds value by closely managing and monitoring individual client claim costs.

Tanner is a founding member of RiskProNet International, a network of large brokers situated throughout the United States and Canada. The group is also associated with Globex International, providing access to brokerage partners in over 90 additional countries. The combined group is the sixth largest broker organization in the United States, the company says.

"The world is changing and our clients need new services and skills for circumstances which didn't exist a decade ago," said Tanner. "We intend to provide them, and our new structure will help us do so more efficiently."