Kingstone Appoints Vice President for California Operations
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 22 2026
0mins
Source: Newsfilter
- Executive Appointment: Kingstone has appointed Sylvie Widjaja as Vice President and California Business Leader, tasked with leading the company's entry into the homeowners market in California; with over 20 years of insurance experience, Widjaja is expected to provide valuable local market insights in navigating complexities.
- Market Opportunity: As Kingstone enters the California homeowners market, Widjaja emphasizes that success will depend on strong local market expertise and deep agent relationships, a strategy that will help the company establish a sustainable growth platform in a competitive landscape.
- Industry Background: Widjaja joins from Mercury Insurance Group, where she gained extensive experience in market strategy and distribution, particularly in California's complex environment, which will lay a solid foundation for Kingstone's success in the new market.
- Strategic Vision: Kingstone's strategy focuses on supporting independent agents, and Widjaja looks forward to collaborating with the broader independent agent community to drive business growth in California, further solidifying the company's position in the insurance industry.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy KINS?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on KINS
About KINS
Kingstone Companies, Inc. is a northeast regional property and casualty insurance holding company. The Company offers property and casualty insurance products through its wholly owned subsidiary, Kingstone Insurance Company (KICO). KICO is a carrier writing business through retail and wholesale agents and brokers. KICO is engaged in writing personal lines and commercial auto insurance in New York. KICO is also licensed in New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and Maine. In addition, through its subsidiary, Cosi Agency, Inc. (Cosi), a multi-state licensed general agency, it accesses alternative distribution channels. Its product lines include personal lines, livery physical damage, and other. Personal lines consist of homeowners, dwelling fire, cooperative/condominium, renters, and personal umbrella policies. The Company writes for-hire vehicle physical damage only policies for livery and car service vehicles and taxicabs.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Kingstone Companies Finalizes Catastrophe Reinsurance Program
- Increased Reinsurance Limit: Kingstone has raised its catastrophe reinsurance limit to $500 million for the 2026/2027 period, a 14% increase from the previous year, to address the significant rise in risk exposure over the past year, ensuring stronger financial protection against future natural disasters.
- Low Retention Levels: The company has maintained low first-event retentions of $3.5 million for wildfires, $5 million for named storms, and $6 million for winter storms, a strategy that not only mitigates potential loss risks but also enhances the company's competitive position in the market.
- Reduced Reinsurance Costs: The cost of core catastrophe excess of loss coverage has decreased by over 15% on a risk-adjusted basis, lowering the catastrophe program cost to approximately 11% of projected direct premiums earned, down from 13%, which will further support the company's profitable growth and financial stability.
- Support from Reinsurance Partners: The program has received broad support from over 34 reinsurers, including six new participants, demonstrating market confidence in Kingstone's underwriting quality and risk management capabilities, laying a solid foundation for future profitable growth.
See More
Kingstone Appoints Vice President for California Operations
- Executive Appointment: Kingstone has appointed Sylvie Widjaja as Vice President and California Business Leader, tasked with leading the company's entry into the homeowners market in California; with over 20 years of insurance experience, Widjaja is expected to provide valuable local market insights in navigating complexities.
- Market Opportunity: As Kingstone enters the California homeowners market, Widjaja emphasizes that success will depend on strong local market expertise and deep agent relationships, a strategy that will help the company establish a sustainable growth platform in a competitive landscape.
- Industry Background: Widjaja joins from Mercury Insurance Group, where she gained extensive experience in market strategy and distribution, particularly in California's complex environment, which will lay a solid foundation for Kingstone's success in the new market.
- Strategic Vision: Kingstone's strategy focuses on supporting independent agents, and Widjaja looks forward to collaborating with the broader independent agent community to drive business growth in California, further solidifying the company's position in the insurance industry.
See More
Kingstone (KINS) Q1 2026 Earnings Transcript
See More
Kingstone Companies to Hold 2026 Annual Meeting Virtually
- Annual Meeting Announcement: Kingstone Companies has announced that its 2026 Annual Meeting will be held virtually on August 5, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. ET, allowing shareholders to conveniently participate in voting and discussions.
- Shareholder Eligibility: Shareholders of record as of June 12, 2026, will be entitled to receive notice and vote at the meeting, ensuring that all eligible shareholders' rights are protected in the decision-making process.
- Company Overview: Kingstone is a regional property and casualty insurance holding company, with its principal operating subsidiary being Kingstone Insurance Company, which focuses on providing tailored homeowners insurance solutions through retail and wholesale agents, demonstrating its expertise and competitiveness in the market.
- Market Position: Kingstone Insurance Company was the 11th largest writer of homeowners insurance in New York in 2025 and is licensed in several states including New Jersey and Rhode Island, showcasing its extensive coverage and strategic expansion potential in the Eastern market.
See More
Kingstone Companies Approves Share Repurchase Program
- Repurchase Program Approved: Kingstone Companies has approved a share repurchase program to buy back up to 1 million common shares over the next two years, representing approximately 6.9% of the company's outstanding stock as of March 31, 2026, aimed at enhancing shareholder value and boosting market confidence.
- Disappointing Earnings Report: In Q1 2026, Kingstone reported a GAAP EPS of -$0.40, missing expectations by $0.14, while revenue of $55.87 million fell short of the anticipated $58.20 million, indicating challenges in revenue growth for the company.
- Future Outlook: Despite the disappointing Q1 results, Kingstone reaffirms its 2026 EPS guidance of $2.20 to $2.90, reflecting confidence in its future profitability, particularly with ongoing expansion efforts in California and Connecticut.
- Market Reaction: The implementation of this repurchase program may help bolster investor confidence, especially in light of the company's performance pressures, as share buybacks are viewed as a proactive capital allocation strategy aimed at enhancing EPS and shareholder returns.
See More
Kingstone Companies Authorizes Share Repurchase Program
- Repurchase Program Authorization: Kingstone's Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase program allowing for the buyback of up to 1 million shares over the next two years, representing approximately 6.9% of the company's outstanding shares as of March 31, 2026, reflecting the Board's confidence in the company's future trajectory.
- Capital Allocation Strategy: CEO Meryl Golden stated that the repurchase program is intended to complement investments in profitable growth and quarterly dividends, emphasizing disciplined capital allocation to prioritize high-return business uses, thereby enhancing shareholder value.
- Market Operation Flexibility: The repurchases will be conducted through various methods including open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, and block trades, ensuring compliance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which allows for flexibility in response to changing market conditions.
- Risks and Uncertainties: The company noted that all forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to various factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, highlighting the need for careful evaluation of market and liquidity needs during the implementation of the repurchase program.
See More
Kingstone Companies Finalizes Catastrophe Reinsurance Program
- Increased Reinsurance Limit: Kingstone has raised its catastrophe reinsurance limit to $500 million for the 2026/2027 period, a 14% increase from the previous year, to address the significant rise in risk exposure over the past year, ensuring stronger financial protection against future natural disasters.
- Low Retention Levels: The company has maintained low first-event retentions of $3.5 million for wildfires, $5 million for named storms, and $6 million for winter storms, a strategy that not only mitigates potential loss risks but also enhances the company's competitive position in the market.
- Reduced Reinsurance Costs: The cost of core catastrophe excess of loss coverage has decreased by over 15% on a risk-adjusted basis, lowering the catastrophe program cost to approximately 11% of projected direct premiums earned, down from 13%, which will further support the company's profitable growth and financial stability.
- Support from Reinsurance Partners: The program has received broad support from over 34 reinsurers, including six new participants, demonstrating market confidence in Kingstone's underwriting quality and risk management capabilities, laying a solid foundation for future profitable growth.
See More
Kingstone Appoints Vice President for California Operations
- Executive Appointment: Kingstone has appointed Sylvie Widjaja as Vice President and California Business Leader, tasked with leading the company's entry into the homeowners market in California; with over 20 years of insurance experience, Widjaja is expected to provide valuable local market insights in navigating complexities.
- Market Opportunity: As Kingstone enters the California homeowners market, Widjaja emphasizes that success will depend on strong local market expertise and deep agent relationships, a strategy that will help the company establish a sustainable growth platform in a competitive landscape.
- Industry Background: Widjaja joins from Mercury Insurance Group, where she gained extensive experience in market strategy and distribution, particularly in California's complex environment, which will lay a solid foundation for Kingstone's success in the new market.
- Strategic Vision: Kingstone's strategy focuses on supporting independent agents, and Widjaja looks forward to collaborating with the broader independent agent community to drive business growth in California, further solidifying the company's position in the insurance industry.
See More
Kingstone (KINS) Q1 2026 Earnings Transcript
See More
Kingstone Companies to Hold 2026 Annual Meeting Virtually
- Annual Meeting Announcement: Kingstone Companies has announced that its 2026 Annual Meeting will be held virtually on August 5, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. ET, allowing shareholders to conveniently participate in voting and discussions.
- Shareholder Eligibility: Shareholders of record as of June 12, 2026, will be entitled to receive notice and vote at the meeting, ensuring that all eligible shareholders' rights are protected in the decision-making process.
- Company Overview: Kingstone is a regional property and casualty insurance holding company, with its principal operating subsidiary being Kingstone Insurance Company, which focuses on providing tailored homeowners insurance solutions through retail and wholesale agents, demonstrating its expertise and competitiveness in the market.
- Market Position: Kingstone Insurance Company was the 11th largest writer of homeowners insurance in New York in 2025 and is licensed in several states including New Jersey and Rhode Island, showcasing its extensive coverage and strategic expansion potential in the Eastern market.
See More
Kingstone Companies Approves Share Repurchase Program
- Repurchase Program Approved: Kingstone Companies has approved a share repurchase program to buy back up to 1 million common shares over the next two years, representing approximately 6.9% of the company's outstanding stock as of March 31, 2026, aimed at enhancing shareholder value and boosting market confidence.
- Disappointing Earnings Report: In Q1 2026, Kingstone reported a GAAP EPS of -$0.40, missing expectations by $0.14, while revenue of $55.87 million fell short of the anticipated $58.20 million, indicating challenges in revenue growth for the company.
- Future Outlook: Despite the disappointing Q1 results, Kingstone reaffirms its 2026 EPS guidance of $2.20 to $2.90, reflecting confidence in its future profitability, particularly with ongoing expansion efforts in California and Connecticut.
- Market Reaction: The implementation of this repurchase program may help bolster investor confidence, especially in light of the company's performance pressures, as share buybacks are viewed as a proactive capital allocation strategy aimed at enhancing EPS and shareholder returns.
See More
Kingstone Companies Authorizes Share Repurchase Program
- Repurchase Program Authorization: Kingstone's Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase program allowing for the buyback of up to 1 million shares over the next two years, representing approximately 6.9% of the company's outstanding shares as of March 31, 2026, reflecting the Board's confidence in the company's future trajectory.
- Capital Allocation Strategy: CEO Meryl Golden stated that the repurchase program is intended to complement investments in profitable growth and quarterly dividends, emphasizing disciplined capital allocation to prioritize high-return business uses, thereby enhancing shareholder value.
- Market Operation Flexibility: The repurchases will be conducted through various methods including open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, and block trades, ensuring compliance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which allows for flexibility in response to changing market conditions.
- Risks and Uncertainties: The company noted that all forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to various factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, highlighting the need for careful evaluation of market and liquidity needs during the implementation of the repurchase program.
See More
