Business Moves

National

Hiscox, Corix Insurance Services, Vouch Insurance Company

Global specialist insurer Hiscox agreed to acquire a specialist insurtech business focused on addressing the insurance needs of small businesses operating in sectors such as technology start-ups, life sciences, and professional services.

As part of the transaction, Hiscox is acquiring Corix Insurance Services LLC and Vouch Insurance Company from Vouch Inc., subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals.

Hiscox USA is a digital provider of small business specialty insurance and serves more than 600,000 customers through multi-channel distribution.

Vouch Inc. remains an independent insurance broker, now singularly focused on providing risk management services to companies across technology, life sciences, and professional services. As part of the transaction, Hiscox and Vouch Inc. have agreed to a multi-year distribution deal.

Nationwide, Markel Insurance

Global specialty insurer Markel Insurance completed the sale of the renewal rights for its $1.2 billion global reinsurance business to Nationwide.

This transaction was announced on July 30.

For Nationwide, acquiring the renewal rights creates an opportunity to diversify and expand its presence in the specialty reinsurance market and the insurance and financial services products.

Nationwide will delegate the underwriting and management of all renewal policies included in this transaction to Ryan Re Underwriting Managers, a managing general underwriter of Ryan, through the expansion of their existing strategic alliance.

Virginia-based Markel did not sell any insurance company entities as part of the transaction, and Markel’s global reinsurance division has entered runoff, with premiums continuing to earn out over the next two to three years.

East

Smith Brothers Insurance, Moscato & Associates

Connecticut-based Smith Brothers Insurance acquired Moscato & Associates of Ithaca, New York.

Moscato & Associates, an independent agency specializing in employee benefits, individual health, and Medicare, will maintain its location in Ithaca. Edward Moscato and his team will join Smith Brothers.

The acquisition expands Smith Brothers’ employee benefits practice and its New York presence into the central and southern New York tier. Smith Brothers is an independently operated insurance broker with more than 250 professionals in offices throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York.

ALKEME, Innovative Insurance Group

California-based insurance brokerage ALKEME announced its acquisition of Innovative Insurance Group, one of Virginia’s largest insurance agencies. The Innovative team will continue operating from its eight Virginia locations.

Founded in 2015 through the merger of four Virginia benefits agencies, Innovative Insurance Group offers employee benefits, human resources, Affordable Care Act compliance and reporting. Principals who built the firm include Sam Irby, Earl Weaver, and Charlie Webb.

ALKEME is a full-service insurance agency providing commercial and personal insurance, employee and executive benefits, retirement and wealth management services.

Brightstone Specialty Group, RMS Hospitality Group, Fortis Risk Solutions

Michigan-based Brightstone Specialty Group acquired RMS Hospitality Group and its affiliated claims firm, Fortis Risk Solutions, from RMS Insurance Brokerage LLC. The acquisitions expand Brightstone’s presence in the franchise food, hospitality, and restaurant sectors.

RMS Hospitality Group is a national insurance program with more than 20 years of experience. Fortis Risk Solutions is a third-party administrator. Both are based in Garden City, New York.

RMS Hospitality Group offers insurance for franchise food (quick service, fast food, family/casual style), hospitality (live music venues, bars, nightclubs), and restaurants. RMS also handles claims through its third-party administrator, Fortis Risk Solutions. RMS Hospitality Group will remain in Garden City. RMS Insurance Brokerage is a managing general agent, wholesale broker, risk management consultant, and claims administrator.

Brightstone is a subsidiary of High Street Insurance Partners Inc., comprised of two divisions: specialty services and underwriting.

NFP, Pilot Benefits Group LLC

Insurance broker NFP, an Aon company, acquired Pilot Benefits Group LLC, an employee benefits broker in Melville, New York.

Josh Senders and Ben Senders, principals at Pilot, will join NFP as senior vice presidents and report to Chris Feneli, managing director, benefits, for NFP’s Northeast region.

The broker, which does business as Pilot|RB, has served nonprofit organizations and middle market businesses for more than 60 years.

Aon, a global insurance broker and risk, retirement, and workforce advisor, acquired NFP in April 2024 for $13 billion. NFP has offices in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, the UK, and Ireland.

Midwest

Higginbotham, Roehr Insurance

Higginbotham partnered with Roehr Insurance, one of the largest property and casualty insurance agencies in Cincinnati, Ohio. The partnership grows Higginbotham’s presence in the Midwest and provides Roehr with expanded resources to support both clients and employees.

Founded by CEO Alvin Roehr in 2012, Roehr Insurance is a full-service agency offering commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, life insurance, bonds, and custom risk management services with licenses and clients in nearly every state.

Southeast

Legacy Risk Solutions, PointeNorth Insurance Group

Georgia-based Legacy Risk Solutions, a network of independent insurance agencies, merged with PointeNorth Insurance Group.

The combined firm will operate as Legacy Risk Solutions, headquartered in Gainesville, Georgia.

Legacy has more than 600 employees in 40 offices. Jason Griffith will continue to serve as CEO of Legacy Risk Solutions alongside Matt Wells, who is now president of Legacy Risk Solutions.

Legacy clients will now have access to more specialty products in hospitality, trucking, investment real estate, and property management, as well as construction and transportation insurance.

South Central

TWFG, Angers & Litz Associates Inc.

Texas-based TWFG Insurance expanded its national footprint with the acquisition of Angers & Litz Associates Inc., a personal and commercial lines insurance agency based in Schenectady, New York.

Angers & Litz has been family-owned and operated since 1963. Michael F. Litz will be staying on as branch manager.

TWFG Insurance has a national network of independent agents offering personal and commercial lines insurance.

USI Insurance Services, Rogers Insurance Center

USI Insurance Services acquired Miami, Oklahoma-based Rogers Insurance Center. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1997, Rogers Insurance Center is an independent brokerage firm specializing in commercial and personal risk insurance programs. Rogers Insurance Center is licensed to provide insurance transactions in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas.

World Insurance Associates LLC, Abacus Insurance and Financial Services

World Insurance Associates LLC acquired the business of Abacus Insurance and Financial Services of Irving, Texas. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Abacus provides primarily commercial lines insurance, with some personal lines insurance, with a niche in hotels/motels and convenience stores. The company was founded in 2016 by Rafiq Hassan, Abid Hassan, and Shahira “Saira” Somani. Ankit Patel became a partner in 2024.

West

Marsh McLennan Agency, Olympic Insurance Agency

Marsh McLennan Agency acquired Olympic Insurance Agency, headquartered in Simi Valley, California. All Olympic employees, including principals Don and Bob Barberie, will remain working out of their existing Simi Valley office.

Olympic primarily provides business insurance, employee benefits, and personal asset protection services to clients in Southern California. The firm specializes in working with real estate investors, property managers, and manufacturing businesses.

Marsh McLennan Agency, a business of Marsh, is a provider of business insurance, employee health and benefits, retirement, and wealth and private client insurance services across the U.S. and Canada. Marsh, a business of Marsh McLennan, is an insurance broker and risk advisor with four businesses: Marsh, Guy Carpenter, Mercer, and Oliver Wyman.

Renaissance, Evolution Partners

Renaissance, a network of independent insurance agencies, acquired the agency network business of Evolution Partners, a California-based membership group that helps independent insurance agencies secure direct appointments with insurance carriers. The arrangement allows Evolution Partners’ members to tap into Renaissance’s network benefits, including expanded market access, placement services, agency technology tools, and service resources.

As part of the acquisition, Navion Insurance Associates, the flagship agency of Evolution Partners, will be the first in the network to adopt the Renaissance platform.

Brown & Brown Dealer Services, Tire Shield

Brown & Brown Dealer Services (BBDS) acquired the assets of Tire Shield. The Tire Shield team will join BBDS and continue to operate from their offices in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team will report to William Kelly, president of BBDS’s administrative services.

Founded in 1997, Tire Shield offers administrative services for dealers and agents, providing tire and wheel road hazard products and GAP waiver products for the RV, automotive, and powersports industries.

Brown & Brown is an insurance brokerage firm with a global presence spanning more than 700 locations and a team of more than 23,000.