Kettle Inc has entered into a strategic partnership with RLI Corp. to introduce a new multi-peril commercial property insurance product that includes dedicated wildfire coverage, targeting underserved markets where protection has become increasingly scarce.
The non-admitted offering provides comprehensive protection for commercial properties, covering wildfire alongside all other perils (AOP). The program will initially focus on commercial property risks in California and Nevada and will be distributed through a select group of wholesale brokers.
Coverage will be underwritten by Mt. Hawley Insurance Company, a subsidiary of RLI that carries an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best.
The launch comes amid growing pressure on commercial property owners in wildfire-exposed regions, where capacity constraints and rising catastrophe losses have limited available coverage options.
Isaac Espinoza, Chief Executive Officer of Kettle, said the partnership aligns with the company’s mission to apply data and artificial intelligence to climate-related risks. He noted that Kettle’s AI and deep learning catastrophe models will be paired with RLI’s balance sheet strength and underwriting expertise to deliver a sustainable solution for property owners facing wildfire exposure.
RLI is also reinforcing the partnership with a strategic equity investment in Kettle, underscoring its confidence in the insurtech’s risk modeling capabilities and long-term growth strategy. The capital infusion will support continued innovation in underwriting and catastrophe analytics.
RLI Corp. Chief Operating Officer Jen Klobnak said Kettle’s proprietary risk modeling brings a differentiated approach to wildfire underwriting that complements RLI’s commercial property portfolio. She added that the distribution agreement and equity investment reflect a shared commitment to expanding sustainable insurance solutions in high-risk, underserved markets.
The collaboration highlights a broader industry trend of pairing AI-driven underwriting platforms with established carrier capacity to address climate-driven risk challenges, particularly in wildfire-prone regions of the western United States.
