Flying high.

• Position: SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION - Van Gilder Insurance Corp. merges with AirSure Ltd.

As they begin their second century in business, the Van Gilder Insurance Corporation is certainly not standing still. In fact, one of the company's most recent mergers has it poised to soar.

On September 1, 2005, Aero Insurance, a division of the Van Gilder Insurance Corporation finalized a merger with AirSure Limited. The new company, which is owned by the Van Gilder Insurance Corporation and will operate under the AirSure Limited name, is now the largest general aviation insurance broker in the world.

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"For the clients the two companies have traditionally serviced, we're by far the largest aviation insurance broker serving that market in the world. That will mean that our clients have the benefit of knowing that we have the most market clout, the most services and the most ability to serve their different needs wherever they are," said Bill Behan, managing director AirSure Limited.

Doing business in every state and seven foreign countries, Air Sure Limited now accounts for 20 percent of general aviation insurance sold in the US.

Under the leadership of Behan and AirSure Limited divisional President, Larry Mattiello, the transition has gone smoothly. "There's not a lot of learning curve there. We've know each other as colleagues and friends through the industry for many years. We're very focused on client services and improving what we can bring to the market," said Behan.

What AirSure Limited now brings to the market is a level of service and leveraging power that is unique to the industry. "Our insurers have never faced one sole source market capability like we are now presenting and everyone wants their share. They're professing their commitments and we're pretty excited by that," said Behan.

AirSure Limited can now offer a wide array of products in order to meet all of their clients' insurance needs. "There is not a type of insurance we can't handle," said Behan. Clients can also avoid potential problems that may occur when dealing with multiple brokers "The multiple broker approach to various exposures and lines of insurance, it does leave gaps. It also may have...