After working for years helping contractors secure insurance as broker, Karen Reutter returns to Zurich North America to lead Construction

A former broker and underwriter for contractors and construction businesses seeking insurance solutions has been named Head of Construction for Zurich North America.

Karen Reutter, who recently led the construction practice of a major insurance broker, also worked in Zurich’s construction business from 1999 to 2001. She is a recognized industry leader with extensive experience in all lines of construction insurance and a frequent speaker at construction industry conferences and events. She will be based in Schaumburg, Ill., and report to Paul Horgan, Head of Zurich North America Commercial Insurance.

“We are excited to have Karen rejoin the Zurich team after gaining valuable experience with some of our top brokers,” said Horgan. “She knows the risks facing contractors and will play a critical role in refreshing our current products and services and growing our strong, market-leading position in the construction industry.”

Reutter will be accountable for delivering underwriting results, sales execution and talent management strategies for Zurich’s Construction business. Reutter replaces former Head of Construction Scott Rasor, who retired this year.

Reutter most recently worked for Willis Towers Watson, where she served as Head of Construction Broking for North America. She has also held executive roles with brokerage firms Marsh and Aon and St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company.

In her previous stint with Zurich, Reutter was National Director, Customer and Product Management, and Vice President for Zurich American Insurance Company’s construction business unit.

Reutter holds both a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Texas. She also holds Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Construction Risk Insurance Specialist (CRIS) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designations

About Zurich
Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) is a leading multi-line insurer that serves its customers in global and local markets. With about 53,000 employees, it provides a wide range of property and casualty, and life insurance products and services in more than 210 countries and territories. Zurich’s customers include individuals, small businesses, and mid-sized and large companies, as well as multinational corporations. The Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, where it was founded in 1872. The holding company, Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has a level I American Depositary Receipt (ZURVY) program, which is traded over-the-counter on OTCQX. Further information about Zurich is available at www.zurich.com.

In North America, Zurich is a leading provider of insurance products and services, including workers’ compensation, liability, property, specialty and F&I (finance and insurance) for a number of major industries, such as Construction, Auto Dealers, and Technology. It offers life insurance and disability coverage in the United States. Zurich employs approximately 9,000 people in North America. It’s a top-four commercial insurer in the U.S. and has been insuring U.S. businesses for more than 100 years. Further information is available at www.zurichna.com.