Business Moves – Southeast

AssuredPartners, Premiere Coastal

AssuredPartners Inc., through its subsidiary Assured Neace Lukens, has acquired Premiere Coastal Insurance Group. No financial terms were disclosed. Premiere Coastal specializes in insurance for executive and high net worth individuals, businesses, and the aviation industry. Premiere Coastal’s operations are based in Bluffton, South Carolina and St. Simons Island, Georgia, and will continue under the leadership of Robert B. Kerdasha. Kerdasha’s title with AssuredPartners is managing director of personal risk management in the Bluffton, South Carolina office.

R-T Specialty, Tennessee Underwriters

Ryan Specialty Group’s wholesale brokerage, R-T Specialty, LLC (RT) has acquired the assets of excess and surplus broker, Tennessee Underwriters Inc. (TUI). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. A family-owned business, TUI was formed in 1980 in Nashville. It moved to nearby Franklin in 1981. Tennessee Underwriters owner and president, Donna Guest, said they look forward to joining with RT and expanding TUI’s existing capabilities.

Hilb Group, Lake Norman Benefits

The Hilb Group, LLC has acquired Lake Norman Benefits of Charlotte, North Carolina. Terms were not disclosed on the transaction that closed on Nov. 1. LNB will continue to operate at its current location under previous owner and president, David Contorno. LNB focuses on middle market employee benefits in North Carolina, Virginia and New York.

USI, Willis

USI Insurance Services has completed its acquisition of seven retail insurance brokerage locations from Willis North America Inc.: Wilmington, Delaware; Vero Beach, Florida; Savannah, Georgia; Moline, Illinois; Wichita, Kansas; and Cheyenne and Mills, Wyoming. The deal was first announced in August. Terms were not disclosed.

USI said the acquisition further strengthens USI’s nationwide middle market brokerage footprint. Michael Sicard, USI’s chairman, president and CEO, said these seven locations are in new markets for USI — locations where USI is looking to invest and grow.