2019 M&A News

Wholesale Broker H.W. Kaufman Finalizes Purchase of UK’s Barbican Protect

H.W. Kaufman Group announced the closing of its acquisition of Barbican Protect Ltd., effective March 3. Barbican Protect, an MGA that specializes in commercial property, casualty, financial lines and marine across the United Kingdom, joins the Kaufman family of companies …

Agency M&As: Private Equity Still in Driver’s Seat; Digital Agencies Attract Attention

The private equity bandwagon continued to roll through the insurance agency and brokerage mergers and acquisitions territory in 2019. As many as two-thirds of all deals involved private equity, according to experts. Most of the busiest buyers are private equity …

Global Insurance Industry M&A Total Reached $12.92B in December

Total insurance industry merger and acquisition (M&A) deals in December 2019 worth $12.92 billion were announced globally, according to GlobalData’s deals database. The value marked an increase of 470.5% over the previous month and a rise of 336.3% when compared …

Allianz Buys U.K.’s LV General Insurance Group and Legal & General’s Non-Life Unit

Allianz Holdings plc, the U.K. subsidiary of Allianz SE, has completed its planned acquisition of the remaining 51% of LV General Insurance Group (LV GIG) from Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society (LVFS). The total consideration by Allianz for 100 percent of …

Commercial Lines Insurtech Bold Penguin Acquires E&S Brokerage Tech Platform xagent

Bold Penguin, a commercial insurance exchange technology platform launched in 2016, announced it has acquired xagent, an independent, single-entry, multi-quote platform for standard and surplus lines business insurance market. Bold Penguin said the transaction will allow it to better serve …

The Hilb Group Acquires Rhode Island’s Wickford Insurance Agency

The Hilb Group LLC (THG) has acquired Rhode Island-based Wickford Insurance Agency Inc. (WIA). The transaction became effective December 1, 2019. WIA is a full-service property and casualty insurance agency for businesses and individuals throughout Rhode Island. WIA’s associates will …

Canada Pension Fund OMERS to Buy Stake in Fairfax Run-off Unit, RiverStone UK

Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. and OMERS, the pension plan for Ontario’s municipal employees, announced they have entered into an agreement where OMERS will acquire a 40% interest in Fairfax’s UK run-off group, RiverStone UK. The transaction gives RiverStone UK the …

The Hilb Group Acquires Virginia’s Kerr-Boswell

The Hilb Group LLC (THG) has acquired Virginia-based Kerr-Boswell Inc. (KB). The transaction became effective December 1, 2019. For more than 60 years, KB has provided employee benefits, property and casualty, life, health and financial services to businesses and individuals …

Cigna Sells Group Disability Insurance Business to New York Life in $6.3 Billion Deal

Health insurer Cigna Corp. said on Wednesday it had agreed to sell its disability insurance and accidental death coverage unit for company employees to New York Life Insurance Co for $6.3 billion. The company said it expects to use the …

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Acquires Canada’s SBW Employee Benefits

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., the Rolling Meadows, Ill.-based broker, announced the acquisition of Halifax, Nova Scotia-based Sinclair Billard and Weld Ltd., and CJM Solutions + Inc., which do business under the name of SBW Employee Benefits. Terms of the …