AIG Strips Syria Representative From List for Marine Clients

American International Group Inc. is stripping a claims adjuster in Syria from a list given to shipping-industry clients after a U.S. regulator questioned a rival about relationships in blacklisted nations.

“The individual in Syria is not an employee or agent of AIG and we have no contractual relationship or current dealings with him,” Matt Gallagher, a spokesman for New York-based AIG, said in a statement. “Our directory is in the process of being revised.”

Chubb Corp., which also sells coverage to international shippers, distanced itself from third-party adjusters in Sudan and Syria, identifying them on its website as “surveyors” rather than “representatives.” The wording was switched after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission asked the Warren, New Jersey-based insurer about business in nations accused by the U.S. of terrorism ties. The change was disclosed to the SEC in a letter that was released this week.

AIG’s Global Marine Directory listed a “claims representative” in Aleppo, Syria. The online document includes independent surveyors who can assess damage for clients, Gallagher said.

The U.S Department of State designates nations like Syria, Sudan and Cuba as “state sponsors of terrorism,” which restricts American companies from doing business with entities within those countries. Shipments of agriculture commodities and medicine are permitted in some cases under U.S. economic sanctions.

Lloyd’s of London, the world’s oldest insurance market, lists a network of agents in more than 170 countries in an online directory. The agents supply local surveying and claim adjusting services to underwriters, according to the website.

“AIG is committed to following U.S. and European sanctions laws,” Gallagher wrote.