United States
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington DC 20549
Schedule 13D
(Rule 13d-101)
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
TO RULE 13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO
RULE 13d-2(a)
ACCEL International Corporation
(Name of Issuer)
Common Shares, par value $0.10 per share
(Title of Class of Securities)
004299103
(CUSIP Number)
Thomas G. Berlin
37500 Eagle Road
Willoughby Hills, OH 44094
(440) 951-2655
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to
Receive Notices and Communications)
December 26, 2000
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to
report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is
filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), 13d-1(f) or 13d-1(g),
check the following box / /.
Note: Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be
filed with the Commission. See Rule 13d-7(b) for other parties to
whom copies are to be sent.
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class
of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information
which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall
not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the
liabilities of that section of the Act, but shall be subject to all other
provisions of the Act (however see the Notes).
1 Name of Reporting Person Thomas G. Berlin
2 If a member of a group a) / /
b) / /
3 SEC Use only
4 Source of Funds AF, PF
5 Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required
6 Citizenship or Place of Organization United States
Number of Shares 7 Sole Voting 949,737
Beneficially Owned
By Each Reporting
Person With 8 Shared Voting 364,135
9 Sole Dispositive 949,737
10 Shared Dispositive 364,135
11 Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned 1,313,872
12 Check if Aggregate Amount (11) Excludes Certain Shares
13 Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 14.47%
14 Type of Reporting Person IA, IN, OO
Item 1. Security and Issuer.
The name of the issuer is ACCEL International Corporation, a
Delaware Corporation (the "Issuer"), which has its principal
executive offices at 75 West Street, Simsbury, Connecticut
06070 (phone [860] 843-7600). The title of the securities
to which this Statement relates is the Issuer's Common
Shares, par value $0.10 per share (the "Shares").
Item 2. Identity and Background.
(a) The name of the Reporting Person is Thomas G. Berlin.
(b) The Reporting Person's residence address is 37500 Eagle Road,
Willoughby Hills, OH 44094.
(c) The Reporting Person's principal occupation is investment
adviser. The principal business where such employment is conducted
is Berlin Financial Ltd. The address of Berlin Financial Ltd. is
23811 Chagrin Blvd., Suite 275, Beachwood, OH 44122.
(d)-(e) During the last five years, the Reporting Person has not been
convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or
similar misdemeanors) nor has he been a party to a civil proceeding
of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction as a
result of which he was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final
order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating
activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding
any violations of such laws.
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
The Reporting Person purchased the Capital Shares (as defined in
Item 5) in his capacity as the General Partner of Berlin Capital
Growth, L.P. The purchase of the Capital Shares was made by the
Reporting Person on behalf of Berlin Capital Growth, L.P. in the
Reporting Person's capacity as the General Partner of Berlin Capital
Growth, L.P. and with funds provided by Berlin Capital Growth, L.P.
The Reporting Person purchased the Foundation Shares (as defined in
Item 5) in his capacity as the Trustee of the Berlin Family
Educational Foundation. The purchase of the Foundation Shares was
made by the Reporting Person on behalf of the Berlin Family
Educational Foundation in the Reporting Person's capacity as the
Trustee of the Berlin Family Educational Foundation and with funds
provided by the Berlin Family Educational Foundation.
The Reporting Person purchased the Jill Shares (as defined in
Item 5) in his capacity as an Investment Adviser of the Jill Berlin
DeSantis Roth IRA. The purchase of the Jill Shares was made by the
Reporting Person on behalf of the Jill Berlin DeSantis Roth IRA in
the Reporting Person's capacity as an Investment Adviser of the Jill
Berlin DeSantis Roth IRA and with funds provided by the Jill Berlin
DeSantis Roth IRA.
The Reporting Person purchased the Joy IRA Shares (as defined in
Item 5) in his capacity as an Investment Adviser of the Joy Berlin
IRA. The purchase of the Joy IRA Shares was made by the Reporting
Person on behalf of the Joy Berlin IRA in the Reporting Person's
capacity as an Investment Adviser of the Joy Berlin IRA and with
funds provided by the Joy Berlin IRA.
The Reporting Person purchased the Joy Trust Shares (as defined in
Item 5) in his capacity as an Investment Adviser of the Joy Berlin
Trust. The purchase of the Joy Trust Shares was made by the
Reporting Person on behalf of the Joy Berlin Trust in the Reporting
Person's capacity as an Investment Adviser of the Joy Berlin Trust
and with funds provided by the Joy Berlin Trust.
The Reporting Person purchased the Shannon Shares (as defined in
Item 5) in his capacity as an Investment Adviser of the Shannon
Berlin Roth IRA. The purchase of the Shannon Shares was made by the
Reporting Person on behalf of the Shannon Berlin Roth IRA in the
Reporting Person's capacity as an Investment Adviser of the Shannon
Berlin Roth IRA and with funds provided by the Shannon Berlin Roth IRA.
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction.
(a)-(j) The Reporting Person purchased the Capital Shares in his
capacity as the General Partner and solely for investment purposes on
behalf of Berlin Capital Growth, L.P.
The Reporting Person purchased the Foundation Shares in his capacity
as the Trustee and solely for investment purposes on behalf of the
Berlin Family Educational Foundation.
The Reporting Person purchased the Jill Shares in his capacity
as an Investment Adviser and solely for investment purposes on
behalf of the Jill Berlin DeSantis Roth IRA.
The Reporting Person purchased the Joy IRA Shares in his capacity
as an Investment Adviser and solely for investment purposes on
behalf of the Joy Berlin IRA.
The Reporting Person purchased the Joy Trust Shares in his capacity
as an Investment Adviser and solely for investment purposes on
behalf of the Joy Berlin Trust.
The Reporting Person purchased the Shannon Shares in his capacity
as an Investment Adviser and solely for investment purposes on
behalf of the Shannon Berlin Roth IRA.
The Reporting Person purchased the TGB Shares (as defined below)
solely for investment purposes.
The acquisition by any member group of additional securities of the issuer,
or the disposition of securities of the issuer provided, however, the
reporting member group might acquire additional shares or other securities of
the issuer or dispose of some or all of their shares depending upon market
conditions and their personal circumstances.
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
(a) The Reporting Person has beneficial ownership of 1,313,872 Shares
(the "Berlin Shares"). The Berlin Shares constitute 14.47% of the Shares
Outstanding as of the Issuer's most recent available filing.
(b) The Reporting Person has the sole power to vote or to direct the
vote or to dispose of or direct the disposition of 949,737 Shares (the "TGB
Shares").
The Reporting Person and Berlin Capital Growth, L.P., a partnership
in which the Reporting Person is the General Partner, have the shared power
to vote or to direct the vote or to dispose of or direct the disposition of
325,635 Shares (the "Capital Shares").
The Reporting Person and the Berlin Family Educational Foundation, a
charitable foundation in which the Reporting Person is the Trustee, have the
shared power to vote or to direct the vote or to dispose of or direct the
disposition of 17,500 Shares (the "Foundation Shares").
The Reporting Person and the Jill Berlin DeSantis Roth IRA, a Roth IRA
account in which the Reporting Person is the Investment Adviser, have the
shared power to vote or to direct the vote or to dispose of or direct the
disposition of 14,000 Shares (the "Jill Shares").
The Reporting Person and the Joy Berlin IRA, a retirement account in which
the Reporting Person is the Investment Adviser, have the shared power to vote
or to direct the vote or to dispose of or direct the disposition of 1,500
Shares (the "Joy IRA Shares").
The Reporting Person and the Joy Berlin Trust, a trust account in which
the Reporting Person is the Investment Adviser, have the shared power to
vote or to direct the vote or to dispose of or direct the disposition of
1,500 Shares (the "Joy Trust Shares").
The Reporting Person and the Shannon Berlin Roth IRA, an IRA account in
which the Reporting Person is the Investment Adviser, have the shared power
to vote or to direct the vote or to dispose of or direct the disposition of
4,000 Shares (the "Shannon Shares").
(c) On the following dates, the Reporting Person purchased the following
number of Shares for the per Share price set forth below. Each such
purchase was purchased solely for investment purposes by the Reporting
Person, was purchased through a customary broker transaction and are
included in the TGB Shares.
<TABLE> <CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
Identity Date Shares Price Executing Broker
Thomas G. Berlin 01/09/98 58,900 3.5630 Bear Stearns
01/15/98 2,000 3.1975 Bear Stearns
01/16/98 2,200 3.1875 Bear Stearns
01/21/98 500 3.3600 Bear Stearns
01/22/98 5,500 3.3145 Bear Stearns
01/23/98 2,800 3.1875 Bear Stearns
01/23/98 5,000 3.1900 Bear Stearns
02/06/98 5,000 3.1275 Bear Stearns
02/10/98 3,000 3.1308 Bear Stearns
03/04/98 1,000 3.2000 Bear Stearns
03/09/98 3,000 3.1900 Bear Stearns
03/10/98 4,000 3.1262 Bear Stearns
03/12/98 100 3.2725 Bear Stearns
03/13/98 1,900 3.1303 Bear Stearns
03/23/98 1,000 3.2000 Bear Stearns
03/24/98 8,000 3.1868 Bear Stearns
05/18/98 10,000 3.1865 Bear Stearns
08/17/98 1,757 3.0000 Bear Stearns
08/18/98 1,000 3.0000 Bear Stearns
08/19/98 2,243 3.0000 Bear Stearns
08/19/98 6,000 2.8750 Bear Stearns
08/20/98 5,000 2.7500 Bear Stearns
08/20/98 7,000 2.6250 Bear Stearns
08/20/98 7,000 2.5000 Bear Stearns
09/02/98 400 2.2500 Bear Stearns
09/02/98 1,000 2.3750 Bear Stearns
09/03/98 1,800 2.3750 Bear Stearns
09/04/98 1,800 2.3750 Bear Stearns
09/08/98 5,000 2.3750 Bear Stearns
12/03/98 17,500 3.1858 Bear Stearns
07/19/99 866 1.4375 Bear Stearns
07/20/99 200 1.4375 Bear Stearns
07/27/99 3,934 1.4375 Bear Stearns
08/12/99 1,400 1.3750 Bear Stearns
08/16/99 3,600 1.3750 Bear Stearns
08/19/99 4,500 1.3750 Bear Stearns
08/24/99 4,500 1.3750 Bear Stearns
08/25/99 1,500 .8750 Bear Stearns
09/09/99 400 1.2500 Bear Stearns
09/10/99 1,100 1.2500 Bear Stearns
09/27/99 700 1.0000 Bear Stearns
10/06/99 5,000 1.0625 Bear Stearns
10/08/99 5,000 1.0312 Bear Stearns
10/12/99 5,000 1.0312 Bear Stearns
10/19/99 2,300 1.0000 Bear Stearns
10/21/99 5,000 .9375 Bear Stearns
10/21/99 5,000 .8125 Bear Stearns
10/25/99 5,000 .7500 Bear Stearns
10/25/99 5,000 .7500 Bear Stearns
10/26/99 5,000 .6875 Bear Stearns
11/01/99 3,600 .5937 Bear Stearns
11/05/99 5,000 .6875 Bear Stearns
11/05/99 5,000 .6250 Bear Stearns
11/05/99 5,000 .6562 Bear Stearns
11/09/99 5,000 .6562 Bear Stearns
11/09/99 5,000 .6250 Bear Stearns
11/15/99 5,000 .6250 Bear Stearns
11/17/99 5,000 .6875 Bear Stearns
11/17/99 5,000 .6875 Bear Stearns
12/31/99 5,000 1.0312 Bear Stearns
12/31/99 5,000 1.0000 Bear Stearns
01/07/00 2,500 .9635 Bear Stearns
01/11/00 5,000 1.0230 Bear Stearns
01/14/00 12,500 1.0212 Bear Stearns
01/18/00 5,000 1.0230 Bear Stearns
01/19/00 10,000 1.0215 Bear Stearns
02/24/00 10,000 .9590 Bear Stearns
03/01/00 3,000 .9625 Bear Stearns
03/09/00 1,000 .9725 Bear Stearns
03/09/00 2,500 .9010 Bear Stearns
03/09/00 2,500 .9322 Bear Stearns
03/09/00 5,000 .8667 Bear Stearns
03/09/00 8,500 .9592 Bear Stearns
03/24/00 1,000 .8675 Bear Stearns
03/27/00 1,000 .8675 Bear Stearns
04/18/00 8,537 .8298 Bear Stearns
05/04/00 21,500 .7732 Bear Stearns
07/26/00 5,000 .6510 Bear Stearns
11/22/00 35,000 .2094 Bear Stearns
12/19/00 520,200 .1300 Bear Stearns
</TABLE>
On the following dates, the Reporting Person purchased the following number of
Shares
for the per Share price set forth below. Each such purchase was purchased by
the
Reporting Person as the General Partner of Berlin Capital Growth, L.P., solely
for
investment purposes, was purchased through a customary broker transaction and
are
included in the Capital Shares.
<TABLE> <CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
Identity Date Shares Price Executing Broker
Berlin Capital Growth, L.P. 11/20/98 7,000 3.0000 Bear
Stearns
11/25/98 100 2.8750 Bear Stearns
12/04/98 3,900 2.8750 Bear Stearns
12/28/98 3,500 2.8750 Bear Stearns
12/29/98 1,500 2.8750 Bear Stearns
02/10/99 600 2.7500 Bear Stearns
02/11/99 400 2.7500 Bear Stearns
02/12/99 4,000 2.7500 Bear Stearns
01/11/00 5,000 1.0230 Bear Stearns
01/14/00 12,500 1.0212 Bear Stearns
03/01/00 2,500 .9635 Bear Stearns
07/26/00 5,000 .6510 Bear Stearns
09/14/00 25,500 .5945 Bear Stearns
09/26/00 8,000 .5568 Bear Stearns
12/26/00 246,135 .1950 Bear Stearns
</TABLE>
The Reporting Person purchased the following number of Shares
set forth below. Each such purchase was purchased by the Reporting
Person as the Trustee of the Berlin Family Educational Foundation,
solely for investment purposes, was purchased through a customary
broker transaction and are included in the Foundation Shares.
<TABLE> <CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
Identity Date Shares Price Executing Broker
Berlin Family Educational
Foundation prior to 17,500 various McDonald
01/01/00
</TABLE>
On the following dates, the Reporting Person purchased the
following number of Shares for the per Share price set forth below.
Each such purchase was purchased by the Reporting Person as an
Investment Adviser of the Jill Berlin Roth IRA, solely for
investment purposes, was purchased through a customary broker
transaction and are included in the Jill Shares.
<TABLE> <CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
Identity Date Shares Price Executing Broker
Jill Berlin Roth IRA prior to 14,000 various McDonald
01/01/00
</TABLE>
On the following dates, the Reporting Person purchased the
following number of Shares for the per Share price set forth
below. Each such purchase was purchased by the Reporting Person
as an Investment Adviser of the Joy Berlin IRA, solely for
investment purposes, was purchased through a customary broker
transaction and are included in the Joy IRA Shares.
<TABLE> <CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
Identity Date Shares Price Executing Broker
Joy Berlin IRA prior to 1,500 various McDonald
01/01/00
</TABLE>
On the following dates, the Reporting Person purchased the
following number of Shares for the per Share price set forth
below. Each such purchase was purchased by the Reporting
Person as an Investment Adviser of the Joy Berlin Trust, solely
for investment purposes, was purchased through a customary
broker transaction and are included in the Joy Trust Shares.
<TABLE> <CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
Identity Date Shares Price Executing Broker
Joy Berlin Trust prior to 1,500 various McDonald
01/01/00
</TABLE>
On the following dates, the Reporting Person purchased the following
number of Shares for the per Share price set forth below. Each such
purchase was purchased by the Reporting Person as an Investment
Adviser of the Shannon Berlin Roth IRA, solely for investment
purposes, was purchased through a customary broker transaction and
are included in the Shannon Shares.
<TABLE> <CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
Identity Date Shares Price Executing Broker
Shannon Berlin Roth IRA prior to 4,000 various McDonald
01/01/00
</TABLE>
(d) Berlin Capital Growth, L.P. has the right to receive and the
power to direct the receipt of dividends from or the proceeds
from the sale of the Capital Shares. However, the Reporting Person
disclaims beneficial ownership to the Capital Shares and this
Statement shall not be construed as an admission that the Reporting
Person is the beneficial owner of any securities covered by this
Statement.
Berlin Family Educational Foundation has the right to receive and the
power to direct the receipt of dividends from or the proceeds from the
sale of the Foundation Shares. However, the Reporting Person disclaims
beneficial ownership to the Foundation Shares and this Statement shall
not be construed as an admission that the Reporting Person is the
beneficial owner of any securities covered by this Statement.
The Jill Berlin DeSantis Roth IRA has the right to receive and the
power to direct the receipt of dividends from or the proceeds from the
sale of the Jill Shares. However, the Reporting Person disclaims
beneficial ownership to the Jill Shares and this Statement shall not
be construed as an admission that the Reporting Person is the
beneficial owner of any securities covered by this Statement.
The Joy Berlin IRA has the right to receive and the power to direct
the receipt of dividends from or the proceeds from the sale of the Joy
IRA Shares. However, the Reporting Person disclaims beneficial
ownership to the Joy IRA Shares and this Statement shall not be
construed as an admission that the Reporting Person is the beneficial
owner of any securities covered by this Statement.
The Joy Berlin Trust has the right to receive and the power to direct
the receipt of dividends from or the proceeds from the sale of the Joy
Trust Shares. However, the Reporting Person disclaims beneficial
ownership to the Joy Trust Shares and this Statement shall not be
construed as an admission that the Reporting Person is the beneficial
owner of any securities covered by this Statement.
The Shannon Berlin Roth IRA has the right to receive and the power to
direct the receipt of dividends from or the proceeds from the sale of
the Shannon Shares. However, the Reporting Person disclaims beneficial
ownership to the Shannon Shares and this Statement shall not be
construed as an admission that the Reporting Person is the beneficial
owner of any securities covered by this Statement.
(e) Not Applicable.
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships
with Respect to Securities of the Issuer.
The Reporting Person is the General Partner of Berlin Capital Growth,
L.P., the owner of the Capital Shares. Through an agreement between
the Reporting Person and Berlin Capital Growth, L.P., the Reporting
Person has shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of and
shares power to vote or direct the vote of such Capital Shares.
However, the Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership to the
Capital Shares and this Statement shall not be construed as an admission
that the Reporting Person is the beneficial owner of any securities
covered by this Statement.
The Reporting Person is the Trustee of the Berlin Family Educational
Foundation, the owner of the Foundation Shares. Through an agreement
between the Reporting Person and the Berlin Family Educational Foundation,
the Reporting Person has shared power to dispose or to direct the
disposition of and shares power to vote or direct the vote of such
Foundation Shares. However, the Reporting Person disclaims beneficial
ownership to the Foundation Shares and this Statement shall not be
construed as an admission that the Reporting Person is the beneficial
owner of any securities covered by this Statement.
The Reporting Person is the Investment Adviser of the Jill Berlin DeSantis
Roth IRA, the owner of the Jill Shares. Through an agreement between the
Reporting Person and the Jill Berlin DeSantis Roth IRA, the Reporting
Person has shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of and
shares power to vote or direct the vote of such Jill Shares. However,
the Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership to the Jill Shares
and this Statement shall not be construed as an admission that the
Reporting Person is the beneficial owner of any securities covered by
this Statement.
The Reporting Person is the Investment Adviser of the Joy Berlin IRA,
the owner of the Joy IRA Shares. Through an agreement between the
Reporting Person and the Joy Berlin IRA, the Reporting Person has
shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of and shares
power to vote or direct the vote of such Joy IRA Shares. However,
the Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership to the Joy IRA
Shares and this Statement shall not be construed as an admission that
the Reporting Person is the beneficial owner of any securities covered
by this Statement.
The Reporting Person is the Investment Adviser of the Joy Berlin Trust,
the owner of the Joy Trust Shares. Through an agreement between the
Reporting Person and the Joy Berlin Trust, the Reporting Person has
shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of and shares
power to vote or direct the vote of such Joy Trust Shares. However,
the Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership to the Joy Trust
Shares and this Statement shall not be construed as an admission that
the Reporting Person is the beneficial owner of any securities covered
by this Statement.
Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits.
Not applicable.
Signature After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge
and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this
Statement is true, complete and correct.
Date 01/10/01
Thomas G. Berlin
