Bermuda-based Catlin Group Ltd. announced that its Catlin US specialty insurer has set up a US unit to offer horse-related insurance.

Catlin's new Equine Underwriting Unit will be based in Lexington, Kentucky and will be staffed by a four-member team, headed by Sheila Gott.

She and her team members — Erin Easley, Sarah Hays and Nikki Offutt — have all joined Catlin US from XL Insurance.

Ms Gott has 36 years of experience in the equine insurance industry, most recently with XL Insurance where she served as managing underwriter for six years.

Ms Easley has 12 years of experience in the equine insurance industry, including 10 years as a senior underwriter.

Ms Hays has 17 years' experience as an equine claims adjuster, while Ms Offutt has worked as a claims assistant and has four years of experience as a veterinarian technician and administrative assistant to an equine orthopedic surgeon.

The team will underwrite various classes of equine business, consisting primarily of mortality, named perils, theft, prospective foal, barrenness, stallion AS&D, stallion first season infertility, stallion availability, stallion loss of income and major medical-surgical coverage.

Richard Banas, president and chief executive officer of Atlanta-based Catlin US, said:

"I am delighted that Sheila and her team have joined our growing group of specialty insurance businesses in the US. Sheila and the team have an exceptional track record and reputation in the Industry and I welcome them to Catlin."

Sheila Gott was formerly vice-president and managing underwriter of XL Insurance, where her responsibilities included development, implementation and management of pricing tools and methodologies, rate change management, oversight of internal audit and training of technical staff.

Prior to joining XL Insurance, she worked for Great American Insurance Company as a claims adjuster and held various management positions for Old Colony Insurance Service.