Meredith Long

I like to say that like so many other insurance professionals, I was hatched at Markel, accidentally beginning an insurance career there in January 2005 by taking a role as a marketing assistant. Over almost eight years, plugged my ears to the suggestions that I should consider underwriting while I took on more and more marketing responsibilities, falling in love with the industry and the people. During that time I took advantage of The Institutes courses offered by the company, earning several designations. While working in a company-facing corporate marketing role, I desperately missed the relationships I had with our agents and brokers in my former regional roles. In the fall of 2012, while attending the Marcus Payne Advanced E&S School, I decided I wanted to make take the leap into underwriting. I walked into my manager's office the following Monday and made him aware of my plans. The president of our region generously allowed me to choose what line of business I wanted to join and I strategically chose inland marine merely from a succession angle.
In 2018 Seneca Insurance reached out regarding an underwriting role with their Inland Marine department. Very early in the interview process I made everyone aware I was expecting our second child. By the time I had my final interview with our CEO, CUO, and EVP Extraordinaire, Jessica Frankovich, in Manhattan, I was VERY pregnant, waddling in heels through the streets of New York. I love telling people that my employer hired me when I was seven months pregnant. It's just one of the many, many, many things I love about Seneca. I am part of a small, but mighty team of underwriters where I lead our newer members as they come on board. Through Jessica's leadership, I've become an eagle-eyed underwriter but I've also been motivated to be more involved with IMUA. In late 2023-early 2024 I joined the Mid-Atlantic (fka Chesapeake) Regional Committee, becoming chairperson in summer 2025.