Mervin Holland

Industry watchers have been taken aback by the aggressive strategy adopted by Superior National Insurance Group Inc. in its $175 million contract dispute with Inter-Ocean Re and Inter-Ocean's principal shareholder, American Re-Insurance Company.Not content to wait for the outcome of arbitration proceedings that are due to be held soon in New York, Superior National filed a lawsuit against both parties in Los Angeles County Superior Court on September 7 in which they seek $200 million.

Inside Bermuda has received a letter from Inter-Ocean President Mervin Holland in response to allegations made to the media about his company by Superior National Insurance Company President Chris Seaman.Holland was particularly upset at an article that appeared in The Royal Gazette newspaper on September 23 headlined: "Inter-Ocean tried to mug us - US insurer."

An arbitration between Bermuda-based Inter-Ocean Reinsurance Company and Superior National Insurance Company over a $175 million contract could take place before the end of the year. The dispute relates to coverage Inter-Ocean provided to US-based Business Insurance Group - now a subsidiary of Superior National - and 100 per cent reinsured by American Re.