Michael Leinenbach is a Risk Management Specialist at Hotaling Insurance Services, known for guiding businesses through today’s complex and rapidly evolving insurance landscape. He partners with business owners, legal teams, and C-suite leaders to make insurance clear, practical, and aligned with real-world operations. Whether reviewing contractual obligations, navigating cross-border exposures, or uncovering policy gaps, Michael brings clarity, delivers value, and builds long-term relationships rooted in trust.
Michael entered the insurance world in 1987, but his roots go back further to his father’s auto finance business, where one of his responsibilities included verifying insurance coverage and regularly referring clients to local agents. When he once asked for referral compensation, the reply was, “Get a license.” So, he did. Even before that, his technical abilities stood out. In the early 90s, he developed a custom spreadsheet (before Microsoft Excel was widely adopted) that accurately calculated simple interest and earned approval from the New Jersey Department of Banking.
Michael began his career in retail insurance, working as a customer service representative before advancing through five years of frontline experience. He then spent 15 years as an underwriter for major global insurers, managing portfolios ranging from middle-market businesses to Fortune 100 companies. In the following decade, he transitioned into consulting and brokerage, earning a reputation for making even the most intricate insurance challenges understandable and solvable.
A lifelong student of the craft, Michael holds seven advanced designations:
· Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU)
· Associate in Insurance Services (AIS)
· Associate in Risk Management (ARM)
· Associate in Risk Management for Public Entities (ARM-P)
· Associate in Reinsurance (ARe)
· Associate in Surplus Lines Insurance (ASLI)
· Associate in Insurance Management (AIM)
He also served as President of the New York Chapter and Vice President of the Europe Chapter of the CPCU Society, extending his leadership beyond the office and into the professional community.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Michael remains deeply rooted in his community and faith. For over five decades, he has served as a church musician and director of liturgical music, offering his talents as a pianist, organist, and vocalist. Since 2021, he has chosen to serve entirely on a volunteer basis, dedicating up to 20 hours per week to the work he finds deeply meaningful.
Michael blends deep technical knowledge with a sincere commitment to his clients’ success. He knows that in today’s hardening insurance market, where coverage is shrinking for industries like construction, transportation, and catastrophe-prone properties, there are not always perfect solutions. In those cases, he does two things: First, he ensures clients are fully informed, even when the news is tough. He proactively communicates market conditions, provides timely updates, and helps clients understand how shifts in the industry directly impact their business. Second, he equips clients with strategies to manage risks that are difficult or costly to insure, focusing on practical solutions beyond simply buying a policy. In a field where many prioritize making the sale, Michael prioritizes empowering clients with knowledge and guidance that supports long-term risk resilience.
Let Michael’s decades of experience and industry insight work for you. Get in touch to build a smarter, more resilient insurance program.
