Aviva Launches US Specialty Insurance Platform Led by Mike Karmilowicz

What differentiates Aviva Specialty is the combination of a seasoned specialty insurance team and the agility of a purpose-built platform, Mike Karmilowicz, president of Aviva Specialty, said as the company formally launched its new U.S. specialty insurance platform on Wednesday. Headquartered in New York, Aviva Specialty will begin writing commercial property risks in the fourth quarter of 2026 through open-market brokers and program administrators, Business Insurance reported.

Aviva Launches New Surplus Lines Platform in New York

Aviva has formally launched Aviva Specialty to operate as a domestic surplus lines insurer in the United States, expanding its footprint beyond its existing London market platform and Aviva Canada. The newly established entity will write business on Aviva Insurance Limited paper with nationwide capabilities. Mike Karmilowicz, a former Everest Insurance executive with more than three decades of commercial insurance experience, leads the New York-headquartered operation. The company built the platform from the ground up rather than adapting an existing U.S. platform, pairing a partnership-led distribution model with a technology-enabled operating system.

Commercial Property Focus Precedes Cyber and Casualty Expansion

Property underwriting serves as the initial entry point for the platform when trading begins in the fourth quarter of 2026. Aviva plans to broaden its product offerings as the business develops, adding cyber, financial lines, specialty lines, and specialty casualty to its roster. The firm also intends to incorporate delegated authority and program business into its broader growth strategy. Jason Storah, CEO of UK & Ireland General Insurance at Aviva, noted that the expansion gives the group direct access to domestic U.S. specialty risks that typically do not flow into the London market.

Global Corporate Growth Ties London and North American Operations

The U.S. surplus lines rollout forms a central component of Aviva’s wider international expansion within its Global Corporate & Specialty business segment. The insurer previously strengthened its global footprint through the 2024 acquisition of Lloyd’s carrier Probitas, which rebranded as Aviva Syndicates in September 2026. As we continue to expand our global specialty capabilities, the US is a market where we see significant opportunities to grow and create value, Jason Storah said, emphasizing the group’s long-term perspective.

Fourth Quarter Underwriting Schedule Sets Path for 2026

With regulatory groundwork in place, Aviva Specialty is scheduled to open its books for commercial property risks in the fourth quarter of 2026. The carrier will distribute its policies through wholesale brokers and program administrators while maintaining selective deployment of capital into classes that support long-term growth.