Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has locked in Poland as its newest European foothold, handing Warsaw-based leadership duties to Carsten Keune in a bid to widen its commercial coverage reach across Central and Eastern Europe.
The move plugs Poland into BHSI’s growing continental network at a moment when specialty insurers see regional distribution muscle as a decisive edge. Businesses across the CEE corridor increasingly demand bespoke commercial risk products, and carriers that plant local operations gain faster access to brokers and policyholders alike.
Keune takes the title of country manager from Warsaw. His mandate spans local strategy, broker partnerships, and customer relationships throughout Poland and neighboring CEE markets.
BHSI framed the expansion as a marriage of local underwriting knowledge with the deep financial backing of parent Berkshire Hathaway. The playbook leans on responsive claims service and specialist product lines tailored to firms carrying complex commercial exposures.
Product availability across Central and Eastern Europe now includes commercial property, casualty, construction, energy, executive and professional lines, marine, and multinational programs. Warsaw gives the insurer a direct conduit to regional buyers.
The European operations run through two vehicles. Berkshire Hathaway European Insurance DAC (BHEI) holds an Irish license from Dublin, while Berkshire Hathaway International Insurance Limited (BHIIL) sits in London under English and Welsh incorporation. Both roll up under Nebraska-domiciled Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (BHSIC).
BHSIC’s underwriting appetite spans commercial property, casualty, healthcare professional liability, transactional liability, surety, travel, accident and health, employer stop loss, homeowners, and multinational coverage. All three entities belong to Berkshire Hathaway’s National Indemnity group, which carries an A++ rating from AM Best and AA+ from Standard & Poor’s.
BHSI’s global footprint covers North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. European offices already operate in London, Dublin, Cologne, Munich, Paris, Madrid, Milan, Stockholm, and Zurich.
Andreas Krause, head of DACH at BHSI, said Keune possesses the market knowledge and leadership experience to drive growth across the region. He called Keune well positioned to establish the Polish presence and cement durable broker and customer ties. The expansion positions BHSI to compete more aggressively for CEE commercial accounts as demand for specialized coverage continues climbing.
