DUAL, a specialist underwriting business providing insurance solutions through broker distribution, has entered the Dutch Property insurance market with a new proposition aimed at commercial and industrial risks.
The new offering is designed to address Mid-Market and selected High Hazard risks, giving brokers access to specialist underwriting and capacity for more complex Property exposures. DUAL said the launch forms part of its wider European strategy to develop its Property business, following its entry into the German market.
The Netherlands is an important market within DUAL’s European Property plans, with the company pointing to established broker relationships, a developed co-insurance sector and demand for specialist solutions for complex commercial and industrial risks.
DUAL’s Dutch Property business will provide capacity through co-insurance arrangements and selected broker facilities. The company said its proposition brings underwriting and risk engineering together, allowing brokers to access a consistent approach to both Mid-Market business and carefully selected High Hazard risks.
The Property operation is headed by Edwin Gout, Lead Underwriter Property at DUAL Benelux. Gout has more than three decades of experience in commercial and industrial fire insurance, with a background spanning Mid-Market and High Hazard business. His experience covers the assessment and placement of complex industrial risks, as well as technical underwriting, risk engineering and portfolio management.
According to DUAL, Gout’s previous work has included manufacturing businesses, logistics facilities, plastics and wood-processing operations and other organisations exposed to significant fire and business interruption risks. His knowledge of the Dutch co-insurance market will also support DUAL’s engagement with brokers on complex Property placements.
“We see a clear need in the Dutch market for a specialist Property partner that combines consistent capacity with technical underwriting expertise. By closely linking underwriting and risk engineering, we can support brokers in achieving sustainable solutions for their clients, including within the more complex segments of the market,” added Gout.
DUAL said the new proposition will cover a range of commercial and industrial risks within the Mid-Market segment, while also considering selected High Hazard business. Target areas include manufacturing, recycling, wood processing and other industries where fire exposure is a significant underwriting consideration.
The company also plans to take part in selected broker facilities. DUAL said this will form part of its approach to developing a balanced Property portfolio while providing additional capacity through established distribution channels.
Risk assessment under the proposition will be informed by COPE factors — Construction, Occupancy, Protection and Exposure — alongside Hazard Grading and risk engineering. DUAL said these measures will be used to assess the quality and characteristics of individual risks and inform decisions on capacity deployment.
The company added that the launch is intended to strengthen its specialist offering for brokers while maintaining a focus on underwriting discipline and risk selection.
“The expansion into Property fits perfectly with our strategy of giving brokers access to specialist solutions within attractive niche markets. With an experienced underwriting team, strong distribution partners, and a clear focus on underwriting discipline, we are confident that DUAL Property will quickly establish a relevant position in the Dutch market,” said Frank Masteling, Managing Director, DUAL Benelux.
DUAL will offer the Property proposition through a selected network of professional brokers, with the business focusing on commercial and industrial insurance and building relationships with brokers active in these areas.
