# Tyler Van Spanje

> Tyler Van Spanje is the CEO and founder of TIMBY Specialty, an Everett, Washington-based inland marine program manager. After a career spanning marine underwriting, regional leadership and an earlier insurtech venture, he launched TIMBY in 2021 to combine specialist judgment with faster, data-driven workflows. The company expanded from transportation and contractors' equipment into warehouse legal liability before being acquired by Balavant Insurance Group in October 2025, with Van Spanje and the team continuing under the TIMBY brand.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer and Founder at TIMBY Specialty Insurance Solutions
- **Organizations:** TIMBY Specialty Insurance Solutions, Balavant Insurance Group, Vindati, OneBeacon Insurance Group / International Marine Underwriters, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, Acadia Insurance, Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, Inland Marine Underwriters Association, Board of Marine Underwriters of San Francisco, U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Boy Scouts of America
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science, California Maritime Academy
- **Known for:** Founded TIMBY Specialty Insurance Solutions in 2021., Co-founded insurtech managing general underwriter Vindati and later served as its CEO., Expanded TIMBY's product set from transportation and contractors' equipment into warehouse legal liability.

## Career timeline

- **1996-2002** — Worked as a marine underwriter and team leader at Fireman's Fund Insurance Company.
- **2002-2004** — Served as Director of Inland Marine at Acadia Insurance.
- **2006-2012** — Held marine underwriting management and assistant vice president roles at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty.
- **2012-2016** — Served as a regional president for inland marine at OneBeacon Insurance Group / International Marine Underwriters.
- **2017-2020** — Co-founded Vindati and served in underwriting, innovation and program-development leadership.
- **2020-2021** — Served as CEO of Vindati.
- **2021** — Founded TIMBY Specialty Insurance Solutions, initially focused on transportation-related inland marine coverage.
- **2025-05** — TIMBY launched Warehouse Legal Liability coverage for eligible public and contract warehouse operations.
- **2025-10** — Balavant Insurance Group acquired TIMBY; the team joined Balavant while TIMBY continued under its own brand.

## Achievements

- Founded TIMBY Specialty Insurance Solutions in 2021.
- Co-founded insurtech managing general underwriter Vindati and later served as its CEO.
- Expanded TIMBY's product set from transportation and contractors' equipment into warehouse legal liability.
- Led TIMBY through its acquisition by Balavant Insurance Group in October 2025.
- Earned the Associate in Marine Insurance Management and Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter designations.
- Received the American Institute of Marine Underwriters' Harold Jackson Scholarship in 1998.

## Latest updates

- **2025-10** — Balavant Insurance Group acquired TIMBY Specialty; Van Spanje and the team joined Balavant while TIMBY continued under its existing brand.
- **2025-05** — TIMBY launched Warehouse Legal Liability coverage, including options for handling, repacking and processing exposures.

## Links

- Website: https://timbyins.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-s-van-spanje-76917951

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/tyler-van-spanje
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-25