AmTrust Insurance

AmTrust Insurance is a global specialty property and casualty company that also provides reinsurance services. The group is known for its strong small business focus and steady underwriting in niche markets.

History of AmTrust Insurance

The company was founded in 1998 by Barry Zyskind, along with brothers George and Michael Karfunkel in New York. They focused early on small business insurance and entered workers’ comp in 2002.

AmTrust later became one of the top US providers of workers’ compensation coverage. Other milestones include:

• 2005: Ron Pipoly was named chief financial officer of AmTrust
• 2006: AmTrust shares began trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market
• 2014: Forbes named Barry Zyskind the top-performing CEO in the insurance sector
• 2018: AmTrust went private through a deal with Stone Point Capital and family partners
• 2019: entered $2.9 billion reinsurance deal with Swiss Re for small commercial business

It also launched AmTrust Forward to focus on profit and sharpen company-wide strengths. By 2021, its AmTrust Now strategy reflected growth in tech, underwriting, and global operations.

Reinsurance products and services

AmTrust Insurance provides specialty risk programs with reinsurance-based structures through its global platforms. These programs are tailored for industries like auto, electronics, and commercial equipment.

The company does not sell traditional treaty or facultative reinsurance. Instead, it offers structured solutions to partners seeking to share in underwriting outcomes.

Key offerings from AmTrust’s Specialty Risk division include:

• captive programs: structured models like NCFCs, CFCs, and domestic captives for shared risk participation
• warranty reinsurance solutions: tailored programs for manufacturers and dealers to reinsure service contract risk
• protected cell arrangements: flexible reinsurance tools using segregated account structures for program partners
• dealer obligor programs: custom models letting automotive or equipment dealers participate in reinsurance profits
• risk-sharing for OEMs and TPAs: solutions for third-party administrators and manufacturers to reinsure product warranties

These tools are supported by strong underwriting, loss control, and performance dashboards for partners. The company’s focus is on niche products, automation, and long-term reinsurance relationships in specialty sectors.

Culture and core values

AmTrust Insurance promotes a fast-paced and team-driven culture built on shared success and mutual support. The company encourages a diverse, inclusive space where balance and well-being are part of everyday work life.

Workplace environment and benefits

The company supports personal time, workplace flexibility, and sponsored activities that help employees recharge. AmTrust offers a variety of benefits:

• medical, dental, and vision: core health plan options for employee well-being
• PTO, paid holidays, and parental leave: time away support for family and rest
• life insurance and disability: includes AD&D, short- and long-term coverage
• 401K and FSAs: savings tools for retirement and flexible spending needs
• AmWell Well-Being Program: support across five areas of total employee wellness
• EAP and voluntary benefits: added resources for personal and emotional balance
• workplace perks: select locations offer parking, business casual dress, or onsite gyms

AmTrust’s AmWell program shows its focus on physical, emotional, financial, and career well-being.

Diversity & inclusion

Respect and inclusion are part of how the business hires, grows, and keeps strong teams. These values come to life through company-wide efforts:

• valuing unique traits: age, ability, identity, or belief
• inclusive thinking: innovation grows from different views
• open culture: opinions welcomed and heard
• broad recruiting: talent from all backgrounds
• talent retention: environment people want to join

Creating an inclusive workplace is a shared effort across all levels—not a choice, but an expectation.

Career growth and empowerment

AmTrust’s steady growth brings real career paths across the insurance industry. Employees thrive in an environment that welcomes ideas and rewards strong effort. Success is shared, each person is valued, and teamwork is always recognized.

The future at AmTrust Insurance

More changes are coming that display AmTrust Insurance’s focus on deepening regional strength and service. It welcomed a new regional sales leader to support its title insurance business across the Southeastern US. This move signals a clear drive to grow leadership and strengthen its presence in key local markets.

A fresh leadership move is supporting AmTrust Insurance’s mission to sharpen its brand and reach. Their new chief marketing officer will focus on building loyalty across all reinsurance and multiline programs. These steps reflect AmTrust’s continued push to grow, retain, and lead in specialty risk and service.