Combines To Become GA's Largest Insurance Brokerage

Officials of two of the nation's largest aviation insurance brokerage firms: AirSure Limited and Aero Insurance, a division of the Van Gilder Insurance Corporation, have announced the completion of a definitive merger agreement which states that Aero Insurance will merge with AirSure Limited. The new company will be owned by the Van Gilder Insurance Corporation and will operate under the AirSure Limited name, with Bill Behan serving as managing director and Larry Mattiello as president.

The merger has made AirSure Limited the largest general aviation insurance broker in the world.

AirSure Limited Managing Director Bill Behan said, "Both companies bring a lot to this merger. Not only have we significantly increased our negotiating strength on behalf of our clients, but we have also acquired an amazingly broad range of product lines and expertise thanks to the capabilities of our new parent company. We are very confident in saying that we will provide our clients the most comprehensive and cost effective aviation insurance coverage available anywhere in the world, all delivered with the same high level of personal attention that has become a hallmark of AirSure Limited."

Dell Van Gilder, Chairman of Van Gilder Insurance Corporation, added, "We couldn't be more excited. Adding AirSure Limited to our corporate family greatly increases our presence and depth in the aviation arena, and brings additional capabilities and protection to our customers worldwide."

Previously, Aero Insurance and AirSure Limited were "good, strong competitors," according to Larry Mattiello, president of Aero Insurance. He added, "The senior management at both companies have known each other for years. Together, we'll be a formidable force in the industry, with the strength necessary to provide customers the levels of service and expertise they need to actively pursue their aviation activities knowing they have the right levels of protection and assurance backing them up. This is absolutely critical in the challenging operating environments today's customers find themselves working within, and it is what we do best."

Aero Insurance is a long time provider of aviation insurance brokerage services throughout North America, and is a division of the Van Gilder Insurance Corporation, the largest independent insurance brokerage in the Rocky Mountain Region. Van Gilder Insurance Corporation is a 100-year old employee-owned company and full-service broker that provides a wide spectrum of insurance products and services for thousands of businesses, individuals and families.

AirSure Limited is a privately held aviation insurance brokerage firm based in Denver. In addition to serving many well-known businesses and individuals in the worldwide aviation market, AirSure Limited is also program administrator for the National Air Transportation Association's very successful Workers Compensation Safety Group Program

The new AirSure Limited will maintain offices in both Dallas and Denver, with Colorado serving as the company headquarters.

FMI: www.airsure.com