XL Insurance, the global insurance operations of XL Capital has opened a new regional office in Houston.

The office will focus on providing clients, particularly marine and offshore energy businesses in the region, with local underwriting expertise and claims services, according to a company statement.

"Our Houston office opening is the latest step in XL Insurance's continuing regional expansion," said Uwe Schoberth, senior vice president, regional executive of the central US for XL Insurance.

"For XL Insurance, the US marketplace continues to offer significant opportunities for us to support businesses, like those in the marine and offshore energy industry, where clients' complex risk management needs can benefit most from our underwriting expertise and industry knowledge."

According to Jeff Kaufmann, chief underwriter for XL Marine & Offshore Energy Americas: "XL Insurance already has a solid client base of marine and offshore energy clients here in the Gulf region.

"With this new office, we are bringing our marine and energy underwriting expertise closer to our customers. This proximity, along with more local and specialised underwriting and claims presence, will help us ensure that we continue to deliver high-quality service to our agents, brokers and the customers."

Mr. Kaufmann said: "Our regional marine manager Diana Gladwell, who will be directing the Houston office's activities, has nearly 25 years of dedicated marine insurance experience.

"With that kind of experience on the ground, we are well equipped to handle the specialised risks encountered in the marine industry."

"In Ken Burket, we have local excess casualty underwriting expertise and with the recent addition of Dwayne Johnson, our Select Professional team has a presence in Houston as well," Mr. Schoberth added.

"This office will also serve as a conduit for other regional business."

XL Insurance has offices throughout the US including Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Hartford, New York, Charlotte, and Exton, Philadelphia.