Underwriters Rating Board
Although URB was first licensed as a rate service organization in 1938, its activities existed long before. In the 1920 s and 1930 s, committees from our member and subscriber companies were formed to create standard forms and rating plans.
This was the first home of URB as well as the original home of what is now known as New York Mutual Underwriters. For many years, these two organizations were under the same management.
On January 1, 1938, New York law required rating bureaus to become licensed and this lead to the official start of the Underwriters Rating Board (URB).
In 1952, URB moved to 21 Colvin Avenue, Albany, NY and shared the building with the New York Mutual Underwriters. In the mid 1950 s, the Homeowners line of business was introduced.
After working part-time for both URB and New York Mutual Underwriters, Edward F. Curren, Jr. (Ted) was hired full-time in 1962. In the mid 1960 s, URB ventured into commercial package policies with the introduction of the SMP program.
URB and New York Mutual Underwriters moved across the street to larger offices at 22 Colvin Avenue, Albany, NY.
The Landlords Package Policy was introduced in the early 1970 s. URB and New York Mutual were again on the road moving to 12 Avis Drive, Latham, NY.
Ted Curren became the manager for both the URB and New York Mutual Underwriters.
The URB Board decided that the management of URB should become a fulltime position. Ted Curren became the manager of URB and Alberta Gallaghar became the General Manager of New York Mutual Underwriters.
The URB was able to grow significantly under Ted s management. When Ted was named manager in 1973, the URB had $12,751,174 in written premium and 12 customers. In 1993, the URB had $188,889,138 in written premium and 54 customers.
Policy auditing and printing operations were becoming much larger. URB became affiliated with AAIS to help acquire standard forms. 1978 URB acquired a Model One Radio Shack computer with a cassette tape recorder to start us in the world of computerization.
Jean French joined URB in 1980 and brought with her a knowledge of computers that allowed URB to computerize its manuals and rates. In 1981, all existing URB forms were re-written to comply with simplified language. The Businessowners line of business emerged and became the fastest growth line of business. URB grew dramatically as companies needed assistance in complying with the new simplified language requirements.
The number of URB member and subscriber companies was quickly approaching fifty. This rapid growth lead to URB outgrowing the printing facilities at the Latham office.
In July of 1984, URB moved to 265 New Karner Road, Albany, NY. 1984-1994
In December of 1988, James Lichtel (Jim) came to work for URB and brought with him an extensive insurance background. In 1993, Jim Lichtel became the manager of URB.
Under Jim s management, the URB written premium grew from $188,889,138 in 1993 to be $339,525,933 in 2005. Jim was a big proponent of insurance education and because of his encouragement, all 5 members of the URB professional staff have obtained their CPCU designations.
Jim also went on to become a board member for two URB Companies. Both Mid-Hudson Cooperative (Montgomery, NY) and Security Mutual (Ithaca, NY) benefited from Jim s extensive insurance knowledge.
In the Spring of 1994, URB moved once again. This time it purchased land and proceeded to build an office at its current location, 2932 Curry Road, Schenectady, NY.
Timothy Curren became the manager of URB. Manager 2005 - Present
At the same time, the current management team was formed.
1942 $ 2,639,040 1971 10,840,785 1980 48,585,735 1985 115,415,170 1990 185,075,103 1995 213,224,124 2000 229,003,479 2005 339,525,933 2010 363,423,661 2012 402,986,069
Janette R. Rosscoe, CPCU Sterling Insurance Company 2003 - Present Delbert Hall Security Mutual Insurance Company 1991 - Present John D. Reiersen, CPCU Kingstone Insurance Company 2006 - Present
Thomas Ruane, CPCU Security Mutual Insurance Company 1976-1991 Steven H. Harris, CPCU Sterling Insurance Company 1999-2002
Robert Evans Sterling Insurance Company 1964-1989 Patricia MacNeil Sterling Insurance Company 1993-1999
Howard Stauble, CPCU Sterling Insurance Company 1962-1992 Kenneth P. Pangburn Colonial Cooperative Insurance Company 1989-2009
John Masselli, CPCU Commercial Mutual Insurance Company 1996-1998 Carroll Tucker Commercial Mutual Insurance Company 1980-1995
Arthur, Mary, Wayne, Jack, Ann, Jean, Tim & Kim