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A brief overview of
Petersen International Underwriters
And its Principals

The Principles (left to right): Michael Petersen, W. Harold Petersen, Mark Petersen & Thomas Petersen

Petersen International Underwriters is a professional underwriting and administration firm that develops distinctive forms of disability, health, life, accident and contingent insurance for American Citizens as well as foreign nationals.  Petersen International Underwriters is a Registered Insurance Administrator,  licensed for  Life and Health, Property and Casualty and Surplus Lines.  They are a Coverholder for Lloyd’s of London with in-house authority up to $20,000,000 per risk. 

Petersen International Underwriters designs proprietary products, underwrites and administers these plans through professional insurance agents and brokers, financial planners and marketing organizations.  Collectively the Principals of the firm have in excess of 130 of experience in the insurance business.  Among the risks insured  are the names of political leaders, Fortune 500 executives, great athletes, famous entertainers, war correspondents, astronauts and a host of just average successful business and professional people. 

The Principals

W. Harold Petersen began his career as an underwriter at Mutual of Omaha in 1948. Youngest man in the industry to be named in “Who’s Who In The Insurance Industry”.   In 1950 created the Special Risks Department for Mutual of Omaha using Lloyd’s of London as a reinsurer.  Established the Accident and Health Division for American United Life Insurance Company in Indiana in 1956 and four years later led a group of investors to form Underwriters National Assurance Company a premier disability insurance carrier.   

In 1967 resigned as President of Underwriters National Assurance Company and moved to California to form a marketing and management company which is known today as Petersen International Underwriters.  Today he holds the position of President and Chairman of the Board for Petersen International Underwriters.

Michael B. Petersen joined Petersen International Underwriters in 1974 following his studies in Business Administration at San Diego State University.  As Vice President / Chief Underwriter for Petersen International Underwriters his duties include the overall management of the underwriting and administration departments for Petersen International Underwriters.   A Registered Health Underwriter (RHU) and licensed Surplus Lines Broker he holds the power of the pen to the largest personal accident contract through Lloyd’s of London. 

Mark S. Petersen became a partner in Petersen International Underwriters in 1983.  Having studied Advertising and Marketing at University of Southern California and University of California at Los Angeles Mark is the Vice President of the Marketing Department  for Petersen International Underwriters.  Additional duties include underwriting of special use life insurance plans as well as product design and development. 

Thomas R. Petersen attended California State University at Northridge and later earned an MBA in International Business at Pepperdine University in 1985 before joining Petersen International Underwriters in 1986.  As Vice President / Chief Information Officer, Thomas’ duties involve product development, industry liaison, legal counsel liaison and national association representation.  Thomas is a Registered Health Underwriter, a licensed investigator, a Life Fellow of the American College of Forensic Examiners and an Emergency Medical Technician.        

The Principals of Petersen International Underwriters are involved in the insurance industry as active members and officers of  local, state and national insurance associations.  Authors of  trade magazine articles, monthly newsletters, speaking engagements, including appearances before the Million Dollar Round Table and the Top of The Table.  Development of study classes and courses including some for  Michigan State, Purdue, Florida State, Tulane, Norte Dame, USC, Butler and Indiana State.  They have served as instructors for the Life Underwriters Training Council, the Disability Insurance Training Council and parts of the CLU and CPCU curricula.