Harford Mutual Insurance Group has announced that it has received final approval from the Maryland Insurance Administration of the merger agreement with ClearPath Mutual Insurance Company, a monoline workers’ compensation carrier headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.

According to Harford Mutual, post-merger, ClearPath Mutual will be renamed Clearpath Insurance Company and marketed as “Clearpath Specialty”.

All policyholders of ClearPath Mutual will obtain membership rights in Harford Mutual as policyholders of the newly formed Clearpath Specialty. The merger is effective August 4, 2023.

Steve Linkous, President & CEO of Harford Mutual, commented, “This is an exciting step forward in Harford Mutual’s nearly 181-year-old history There is a natural synergy between Harford Mutual and Clearpath.

“Both companies share similar values and missions, and this merger helps both companies achieve their strategic goals of continued state expansion and accelerated growth.”

Linkous continued, “We are thrilled to welcome the Clearpath team, agency partners, and policyholders to Harford Mutual and to partner with a successful carrier to broaden our workers’ compensation line and deliver our shared vision of being a regional carrier of choice.”

ClearPath Mutual, formerly KESA of Kentucky for more than four decades, was formed in 2018 and currently provides monoline workers’ compensation coverage in Indiana, Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee, and West Virginia. ClearPath Mutual’s current home office in Louisville will remain in place and serve as Harford Mutual’s Midwest Office.

Harford Mutual said it will retain all ClearPath Mutual employees and plans to merge efficiencies. The newly formed Clearpath Specialty has re-domesticated to Maryland.

Further, under the terms of the agreement, ClearPath Mutual’s current President & CEO, Jeff Borkowski, will become a vice president of Harford Mutual and remain President of Clearpath Specialty with Steve Linkous becoming CEO.

ClearPath Mutual’s Board of Directors will remain intact for two years, with Linkous joining the board as a director. ClearPath Mutual board chair, Sean Garber, will remain on Clearpath Specialty’s board as chair and will join Harford Mutual’s Board of Directors.

Jeff Borkowski commented, “We look forward to joining the talented Harford Mutual team. “This merger was a strategic decision for ClearPath Mutual.

“It unites two purpose-led organizations and allows us to leverage Harford Mutual’s expertise, systems, and successful track record in the multi-line carrier field.

“We recognized that together we could provide the enhanced service and opportunities to our policyholders, agency partners, employees, and community partners and support ClearPath’s continued growth.”