About Us

WHO WE ARE

Quaker Special Risk is a premier Commercial and Personal Lines Wholesaler, MGA, and Program Manager providing insurance agents and brokers with specialized insurance coverage solutions for their clients. Since 1960, Quaker has been a pioneer and a leader in the excess and surplus (E&S) lines market assisting insurance agents and brokers throughout the United States in crafting unique insurance coverage for the specific needs of their clients.

Today, Quaker is larger and stronger than ever. We are a proud member of the powerful Jencap family of companies. Partnering with Quaker as your wholesaler of choice now provides access to Jencap’s 40+ exclusive programs, 250+ wholesale brokerage markets, and 50+ foreign and domestic binding authority programs.

Although we’ve grown in size, the Quaker touch is as personal as ever. We take pride in our unparalleled and personalized service, which remains the foundation on which we continue to build our long term partnerships with you, our clients, and highly-rated E&S insurers.

THE QUAKER DIFFERENCE

At Quaker Special Risk, service comes first. We know that behind every risk is a story, and we keep that story alive by protecting it with our unique insurance solutions. Our team of experienced professionals has decades of expertise across all industries providing customized solutions to our clients. Our vision to provide unparalleled service is shared amongst our staff and embedded into our day-to-day operations.

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MISSION STATEMENT

Quaker Special Risk provides agents with the highest quality service and technical proficiency, while building profitable, long-lasting relationships. Our highly-trained underwriters and vast binding authority capabilities enable us to deliver unique coverage tailored to the specific needs of insureds.

A History of Success

Quaker Special Risk was founded in 1960 by Frank S. Walsh in a small, two-desk office in Newark, New Jersey. In 1981, Karin I. Branscombe opened our Worcester, Massachusetts office.

Today, we have five office locations and 90 employees. Although we have grown exponentially since our inception, Quaker is still a family-run business remaining committed to our founding principles and personal service.

1960 – Frank S. Walsh founded Quaker Special Risk in Newark, NJ

1960 – 1st employee in NJ – Jack Herring

1969 – Frank M. Walsh becomes President

1981 – Karin I. Branscombe opens Worcester, MA office

1981 – 1st employee in MA – Eleanor Collins

1982 – 1st company appointments with Berkshire Hathaway and American Empire, who we continue to represent today

1984 – Binding authority relationship with Lloyds’ begins

1985 – Quaker opens Charlotte, NC office

1990 – Quaker opens Palm Beach, FL office

2002 – Quaker MA moves to Whitcomb Hall

2010 – QSR 50th Anniversary

2013 – Quaker opens Quincy, MA office

2019 – Quaker MA moves from historic Whitcomb Hall to a stylish new office in downtown Worcester

2020 – Jencap acquires Quaker Special Risks

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Testimonials

At Quaker Special Risk, we take pride in offering leading edge insurance coverages while providing dedicated personalized service. See why our clients love working with us:

We are very pleased with the incredible service we receive from your staff, and in particular Amanda Mitchell. She always provides courteous & prompt service. I am speaking for each of the CSR’S  that work with her. We love Quaker.

Mike Porter, Benson Young & Downs Insurance Agency, Inc.

Wow, that was quick… And, as the saying goes: You are the best and then there’s the rest!

Ed Fournier, Knight-Dik Ins. Agency, Inc.

Jodie, thanks for your help fixing my CC error. You and Quaker have gone above and beyond in fixing my mistake.

Thomas Vocatura, Charles River Insurance

You’re the best; thanks so much! QSR is literally the best Surplus Lines carrier to work with! I love you guys!

Kimberly Onorato, Gencorp Insurance Group

Dear Phil: First, we wanted to thank you for your help on renewal quotes/new biz, etc.! Often we may not know who in your office to reach out to but you always seem to make this process so much easier. Next, just wanted to ask that you relay to the folks in commercial lines how much I personally appreciate the quick turn around time on renewal quotes, endorsements, etc. We have many brokers, (as you know), but Quaker is truly the fastest and most efficient in my opinion.

Maggie Mullin, T.S. Peck Insurance

I love working with the QSR Team. Whenever we need something, you always come through for us. That says a lot!”

Maureen Lashua, W.T. Phelan & Co. Insurance Agency Inc.

I don’t write Surplus Lines policies with any other S/L brokerage. You people have service down to an art! I can’t get this kind of service from any other company.

Linda M. Bolte, Bellows-Nichols Insurance

Thank you so much for this extra research you are sharing with me! Nobody else I’ve talked to has gone through the extra work like you have – I’m very thankful for the information you have provided. You are awesome!!!

Germaine Waltz, J. Edward Knight Insurance

I gotta tell you that I am incredibly pleased with the service you folks have provided me on this risk. Keep up the great work and we will continue to place business with you!”

Craig Powers, The W.H. Shaw Insurance Agency

I wanted to let you know that Joshua Carrignant went above and beyond to help us with a client.

Beth Murphy, HUB International New England, LLC

You all are the best!

Robert S. Reade, William Raveis Insurance

I wanted to let you know what a great job Michelle Abasciano did on a Professional & Cyber Quote for me. She went out to 15 plus markets and found a home for the client with Westchester/Ace. I know this wasn’t an easy one to place either and there wasn’t much time. The insured was thrilled and I am very appreciative because this account could have gone south very fast.

Aimee Hill, Cross Insurance – Wakefield, MA

I wanted to tell you how happy we are working with Quaker. Great outfit and nice people.

Andrew P. Wingate, Peter P. Briggs Insurance Agency, Inc.

It’s always a pleasure working with all of you there at Quaker!

Susan Lougee Thomas, Lougee Insurance Agency

I’ll never leave or stop giving business to Quaker!

Nancy Z Bender, Bender Hatch Insurance, Inc.

We continue to utilize Quaker as our primary surplus lines market – you guys have been outstanding and have been responsive to any concerns we have encountered. Thank you again for your great service!

Craig Barry, Royer Camp & Associated Insurance

I just wanted to let you know the exceptional job Michelle Abasciano has been doing for our office. She is a pleasure to work with and she is my go-to for Professional Liability quotes. In this business we usually only hear the negatives and I believe she deserves to be recognized and acknowledged for the excellent job she is doing. She doesn’t stop until the job is done.”

Vicky Cox, Ironside Insurance Group, LLC

Tony, I just want to say it was awesome working with Tim, he is super responsive and easy to work with, we appreciate all of the effort you put into getting this done for us.

Cheryl Plawecki, Bouvier Insurance

Once again, thanks for always being so helpful. You’re always my hero with this stuff.

Jennifer Duprat, Foley Insurance Group

Mary, I cannot tell you how much I love working with you – you and your team are always so creative when quoting policies and really make sure to do what is best for the client. You are my go-to person!!!

Paige Souza, FB Insure

I want to thank you both SO MUCH for the prompt service and excellent quote you have provided. It’s been extremely crazy busy here and again your attention to this makes things a little easier on this end.

Christine Duquette, Brown & Brown of NH Inc.

Very helpful, as usual. You guys rock!

Pam Medeiros, Benson Young & Downs Insurance Agency, Inc.

I just wanted to give a shout out to Austin and Jose for their quick work on a couple of accounts. Quaker has been getting all of my E&S new business lately. Thanks!

Donnie Hills, HUB International New England

I just want to let you know how helpful Austin Chamberlain has been on my short term rental property risk. I’ve worked with other wholesale brokers (and was one myself) – he is a fantastic communicator and his response time is outstanding. It’s refreshing to work with someone who really wants to find a solution.

Sarah Scott, FBE Insurance Services, Inc.

I have been working with Joshua for a few months now and I have to say I am super impressed! He replies quickly, takes care of our questions, and most importantly – always gives the best service for us and the client. The quality in his service is just above and beyond what we could have expected. Thanks again for taking the time to hear about your employee who makes our agency look great!

Ana C. Lemay, Salem Five Insurance

Thanks for getting this done so quickly, I really appreciate it! You made me look really good to my bosses today.

Ann Summerlin, Durso & Jankowski Insurance Agency LLC

I wanted to let you know how impressed I am with Amanda Mitchell. She has been a joy (as well as super responsive to my requests) to work with. I don’t know where Quaker finds them but just another super addition to your team.

Anthony Keegan, Dwight Rudd Insurance

I have been working with Austin and I really need to tell you how “Super” he is. I have always liked working with him in the past and am thrilled to be working with him again. While I have great respect for all the people I have dealt with at Quaker, I really need to give Austin some praise. I have been back and forth with him these last two days trying to expedite an account. It has been a crunch for me and I am not that familiar with all the Excess Market routine. He has answered every question with patience and immediately, There was no wait time for me. I asked, he answered. My e-mail box is full of Austin Chamberlain. Thank you Austin for being so knowledgeable, professional, and just being you.

Joan M. Carney, Snow & Thomson Insurance Agency