MHG Marks 30 Years with a Fresh New Look and Office
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (January 19th, 2021) – MHG Insurance is marking its 30th anniversary since introducing crew benefits to the marine industry. Thirty years and over tens of thousands of captains, officers, and crew insured, MHG continues to develop crew benefit plans to make the industry a better place to work and live.
Founders, Andrew Dudzinski and John Haagensen, launched MHG after industry growth and ensuing competitive pressures, cruise lines needed new ways to attract and retain their officers and crew. Dudzinski, with a background in expatriate insurance programs, and Haagensen, a former seafarer and practicing insurance agent, saw the solution in creating and providing customized crew benefits plans. Dudzinski and Haagensen combined their extensive experience and contacts to convince the industry that seafarers are better motivated, remain more loyal, and work more safely when a benefit plan is provided as part of an employment package.
“While hesitant at first, the cruise lines listened, and once the competitive advantages were understood, benefit plans were implemented by many lines,” said Andrew Dudzinski, MHG’s Chairman and CEO. “Other marine industry sectors, such as luxury yachts and commercial shipping, followed soon after.”
Three decades on, MHG is recognized not only for developing innovative crew benefit programs for the maritime industry but also for providing liability and casualty coverage for ship repairers, contractors, entertainers, and cruise concessionaires, in addition to hull and P&I insurance for pleasure craft.
Today, MHG provides insurance solutions, insight, and advice to many of CLIA’s global member cruise lines. In 2017, MHG released a ground-breaking report on the cruise industry’s shipboard benefits provision, which has been updated and released to clients every other year. On the yacht side, MHG provides yacht crew insurance to hundreds of yachts, including 20% of the world’s top 100 largest yachts. In 2018, MHG partnered with The International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) to investigate wellness issues specific to the yachting industry. The survey findings were shared with the industry and highlighted the need for mental health awareness.
“We’re so proud of the achievements and lasting impact that we have made in the marine industry,” said MHG’s Chief Revenue Officer Mark Bononi. “While we have successfully introduced and made crew benefits more mainstream in the industry, our work is not done. We will continue to be at the forefront of developing and implementing a full range of crew benefits solutions, all designed specifically for the marine industry.”
MHG has offices in the U.S. and Europe, staffed with a team of insurance specialists experienced in the marine environment, and are experts in the intricacies of all different types of insurance products and the regulations with which they must comply. In addition to the efforts to impact the industries they serve, MHG also strives to implement a culture for its employees that is second to none. From day one, they have practiced what they preach when it comes to taking care of employees and have seen the positive effects firsthand. MHG has been recognized as a “Best Places to Work,” has an extremely low turnover rate, and truly instills a “family” atmosphere that many businesses try to promote.
As part of its 30th anniversary, MHG is also launching a new logo and moving its U.S. offices a few blocks from its current location to 1800 SE 10th Avenue, Suite 320, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316.
Looking ahead, MHG plans to continue to expand its reach throughout the marine industry, with the same purpose and idea they were founded on. With an updated look and new offices to call home, we can’t wait to see what’s in store.
About MHG Insurance
Established in 1991 in Miami, Florida, MHG Insurance is a global insurance brokerage and consultative facility, with a focus on the marine industry. Through its extensive relationships with international underwriting markets, MHG develops and provides a full range of employee benefits, risk mitigation programs, property and casualty insurance, and financial services, all supported by comprehensive attention to service support for all of our clients. In the marine community, MHG is well known for its expertise in the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) and developing MLC-aligned crew insurance solutions. In the U.S., MHG provides group and individual employee benefits and advice on federal regulations regarding the Affordable Care Act. For more information about MHG Insurance and the services we provide, please visit mhginsurance.com.