Merriwether & Williams Insurance Services started over 25 years ago in our San Francisco headquarters. Our San Francisco office offers a range of insurance products, bonding for Northern California clients, as well as capacity-building and technical assistance for local small and diverse contractors. Our unique bond program started at the San Francisco International Airport with the build-out of the international terminal, and was then embraced by the City and County of San Francisco with the creation of a program which became the steppingstone to all of our other programs providing technical assistance support for small businesses. Participating agencies include the City of San Francisco Department of Public Works, Department of Recreation and Parks, Port of San Francisco, San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.
The City and County of San Francisco is the second-highest density metropolis in the United States and home to an historically diverse, cosmopolitan population fast-approaching one million. As Northern California’s major economic center and one of the most influential regions in the country, San Francisco has applied the forward-thinking principles of inclusion and innovation to community and economic development. The City and County of San Francisco (CCSF) created the Contractor Development Program in 1997 to increase participation of underrepresented San Francisco Bay Area contractors in city and county construction projects. By implementing small business-friendly policies of unbundling contracts, creating small business sheltered bidding, and providing vital support through the Contractor Development Program (CDP), the City and County of San Francisco has helped hundreds of contractors gain access to local business opportunities, including the many ongoing projects at the San Francisco International Airport. The CDP offers local contractors a range of services, from technical support and bonding to contract financing assistance. In addition to fostering greater opportunities for local business enterprises, the program has resulted in long-term cost savings to participating municipalities, in part by expanding the pool of qualified contractors able to bid on public sector projects. Program services are sponsored by the City and County of San Francisco and program services are provided at no charge to participating contractors.
Contractor Development Program Services include:
- Personalized assessments of contractors’ current business capacity and growth opportunities, including development of a workplan to help strengthen contractor business
- Individualized technical and contract-specific support, as well as group workshops on bonding, financing, industry best practices and business management
- Help securing required insurance and bonding
- Bid, performance, and payment bond guarantees to surety companies
- Contract financing for San Francisco-awarded contracts
- Coordinating Third Party Fund Administration to manage contract disbursements
- Project Risk Management/Problem Resolution on projects
- Safety training
- A cost subsidy of up to $3,200 and referrals to accounting service support in creating necessary business financial statements
- Assistance with creation of marketing materials
- Events and other opportunities to create professional alliances with Program Prime contractors, peers, and public agency staff through networking, matchmaking and referrals
Merriwether & Wiliams has served as insurance broker to the public and private sector for more than 27 years, inclusive of all major coverage areas. From community based non-profit organizations, affordable and market rate housing developers, to public entities including the City and County of San Francisco, the firm has assisted clients in navigating through asset acquisitions, organizational change and construction development to ensure they are properly protected and enabled to grow and evolve without limitation based on risk. We also specialize in insurance for special events of all sizes and complexities. From being a broker-provider to the San Francisco Moscone Center with major international convenings, to once-in-a lifetime events like America’s Cup, we understand the nature of hosting public events, including the needs and concerns of the myriad of stakeholders involved. In all our areas of discipline Merriwether & Williams utilizes an aligned risk management approach to viewing and treating risk with a perspective beyond just purchasing insurance. We know that insurance is a tool, risk management a need -- and we address these in service of achieving our clients' goals, objectives and purpose.
Services Offered:
- Contractor Development and Bonding Programs
- Contractor Financing Assistance Programs
- Contract Surety
- Commercial Surety, Property & Casualty, General Liability, Auto Liability, Umbrella Liability/Excess Liability, Crime
- Property/Builders Risk/Inland Marine
- Professional Liability, Directors and Officers Liability
- Cyber Liability
- Worker's Compensation
- Business Owners Policy
- Owners Controlled Insurance Program
- Safety & Loss Control Services
- Aligned Risk Management Consulting
- SPARTA & SELIP (Special Events)
Contact a commercial insurance broker in San Francisco today!
