Who We Are

Nik Black

Nik has spent almost 30 years in the insurance market, most of those as a Lloyd’s underwriter. Nik has specialized in US high value home insurance for over 23 years. He has worked at several major Lloyd’s syndicates including Hiscox and Brit and now heads up Verdant Underwriting Managers 

Matthew Riley

Matthew has over 18 years’ experience in the insurance market. He started his career as a claims broker before moving to underwriting 4 years later. Matthew has been specializing in US high value homes for 14 years and has worked in London and New York during that time. In 2023 he joined Verdant Underwriting Managers to help establish this new entity.

Verdant provides value beyond the placement of a risk. Operating using a proprietary online portal, streamlining the quote to bind process, working with Verdant is highly efficient.

Verdant takes pride in offering white glove claims service and offers the latest loss mitigation advice to provide your clients with comfort during unfortunate times as well as constructive advice to reduce their chance of loss or damage to their home.

Verdant also offers catastrophe response advice, highlighting efforts to prepare property incase of wildfire or hurricane. Verdant utilizes a variety of wildfire and hurricane models along with other risk analysis to provide competitive and fair pricing.

Excess & Surplus lines (E&S) is a specialty market that insures things standard carriers won't cover. The most common reason people turn to the E&S market is due to their property facing higher than normal risk. Such as the property being situated in a difficult or high-risk areas such as coastal properties prone to hurricane or properties situated in areas prone to wildfire. Other reasons may include the insureds high profile exposure or the loss history. The specialty market is constantly adapting and evolving to market changes and can offer unique and flexible underwriting solutions.

Verdant only provides coverage supported by companies with an "A" rated A.M. Best financial strength.

The benefits of choosing a strongly rated insurance company include financial security & stability and the ability to pay claims especially in times of financial strain, such as natural disasters.

Verdant's security is provided through Domestic E&S insurers & Lloyds of London. Lloyd's unique capital structure provides excellent financial security to policyholders and capital efficiency for members. Often referred to as the Chain of Security, the capital structure provides the financial strength that ultimately backs all insurance policies written at Lloyd's and the common security that underpins the market's strong ratings and global license network.

Connection to
Ryan Specialty

Verdant is a part of the Ryan Specialty family. Ryan Specialty is a service provider of specialty products and solutions for insurance brokers, agents and carriers. Ryan Specialty provides distribution, underwriting, product development, administration and risk management services by acting as a managing underwriter and a wholesale broker. Ryan Specialty’s mission is to provide industry-leading innovative specialty insurance solutions for insurance brokers, agents and carriers. RyanSpecialty.com (NYSE: RYAN)

Ryan Specialty was founded in 2010 by Patrick G. Ryan, the widely respected insurance veteran, founder and former Chairman and CEO of Aon Corporation. Mr. Ryan saw the need in the marketplace for a specialty organization dedicated exclusively to creating sophisticated insurance solutions for risks that demand innovation, proven leadership, outstanding industry expertise and quality services on behalf of brokers, agents and carriers.

Within Ryan Specialty, Verdant falls within the Underwriting Managers specialty. Underwriting Managers delivers an independent and entrepreneurial approach to the specialty lines space by providing a unique platform for operational, legal, actuarial and technical support. Underwriting Managers’ exceptional resources and back office support allows underwriters to focus on the risk itself, delivering a superior level of service to brokers, agents and carriers.