Acquisition will establish a new business line for Protective and broaden product offerings into complementary P&C insurance markets
Protective Life Corporation (Protective), a U.S. subsidiary of Daiichi Life Group, Inc. (Daiichi Life, TSE:8750), announced that its principal subsidiary, Protective Life Insurance Company, has entered into an agreement with Genstar Capital (Genstar), a leading private equity firm focused on investments in targeted segments of the financial services, software, industrials and healthcare industries, to acquire Obsidian Insurance Holdings, Inc. and its affiliates (Obsidian), a leading property, casualty and specialty insurance platform.
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“Protective has a long history of growing thoughtfully in ways that strengthen our ability to serve customers and partners,” said Rich Bielen, Chief Executive Officer of Protective. “By bringing Obsidian into Protective, we are adding a high-quality specialty insurance platform that expands where and how we grow while staying true to our vision to protect more people through life’s many moments. We look forward to welcoming Obsidian’s team upon closing.”
Obsidian is an insurance holding company with admitted and non-admitted insurance carrier subsidiaries that issue policies underwritten by managing general agents, managing general underwriters and program managers. Through its platform, Obsidian sources, underwrites and manages a diverse portfolio of property, casualty and specialty insurance programs and reinsures the majority of the business to select reinsurers.
Obsidian was established in 2020 by Genstar, which identified the growing need for insurance companies that underwrite program business and serve as a conduit between specialist underwriters and reinsurance capital. Genstar partnered with industry leaders William Jewett and Craig Rappaport to lead the company. Since its founding, Obsidian has supported program partners across the U.S. and provided nationwide insurance capacity through its carrier subsidiaries, while growing annual gross written premium above $1 billion.
The acquisition will establish a new business line for Protective and represents an important step in the company’s long-term strategy to diversify its earnings and grow in complementary markets. Protective brings long-term financial strength, disciplined risk management and a proven track record of partnering with specialized businesses to support their growth.
“This is a meaningful milestone for Protective as we enter the specialty property and casualty market through a proven platform,” said Wade Harrison, Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Protective. “Obsidian has built a strong business by supporting specialized insurance programs with deep expertise and a disciplined approach to risk. With Protective’s long-term ownership and financial strength, we believe Obsidian is well-positioned to continue building on that momentum.”
For Obsidian, the transaction is expected to provide long-term capital support and additional flexibility to continue investing in its platform, partners and people, while maintaining the specialized expertise and service Obsidian is known for.
“Obsidian was built with a clear focus on underwriting discipline, strong partnerships and delivering solutions in areas where specialty expertise matters. We are grateful for Genstar’s partnership and the support they have provided in building Obsidian into the platform it is today,” said William Jewett, Chief Executive Officer of Obsidian. “Protective’s financial strength and long-term approach make it an excellent fit. Together, we expect to expand our ability to support specialized insurance programs while continuing to deliver for our people and the markets we serve.”
“From the beginning, our goal has been to make it easier for specialist underwriters and program managers to grow with confidence,” said Craig Rappaport, President and Chief Operating Officer of Obsidian. “Protective shares our commitment to disciplined execution and long-term relationships. This transaction will strengthen our ability to support our partners and preserve the culture and operating model our team values.”
Ryan Clark, President and Managing Partner at Genstar Capital, said, “We want to extend our gratitude to Bill, Craig and the entire Obsidian team. They delivered on the Obsidian business plan and have built a premier, high quality specialty insurance platform that is supporting a top tier lineup of program partners. We have been proud partners in creating and growing this business, and are confident Protective is the right home to take Obsidian into its next chapter of growth.”
Once closed, this transaction will mark Protective’s 62nd acquisition and its ninth since becoming part of Tokyo-based Daiichi Life in 2015. Daiichi Life is a global financial services organization with over $462 billion in total assets as of December 31, 2025, serving customers in 10 countries. Protective serves as Daiichi Life’s North American growth platform, pursuing both organic and acquisition-driven expansion.
The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026 or first quarter of 2027, pending regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
Citi is serving as exclusive financial advisor, Oliver Wyman is serving as actuarial advisor and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is serving as external legal counsel for Protective. Ropes & Gray LLP and Mayer Brown LLP are serving as external legal counsel for Obsidian.
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