** Shares of specialty insurance company Kinsale Capital Group KNSL.N rise 3.3% to $476.13

** BofA Global Research initiates KNSL coverage with a "buy" rating and PT of $543

** BofA thinks recent acceleration in flows into the excess and surplus lines (E&S) market is more structural than in past years; believes KNSL is among the best positioned to take advantage

** Despite near-term headwinds to growth, BofA remains constructive on long-term growth trends of KNSL

** Among KNSL's advantages vs competition is a proprietary technology platform that quickens risk assessment and allows brokers to quickly bind policies — BofA

** Up to Wednesday's close, KNSL had fallen 1%

(Reporting by Juby Babu in Mexico City)

((Juby.Babu@thomsonreuters.com))