National
Brown & Brown, Accession Risk Management
Brown & Brown Inc. has entered into an agreement to buy Accession Risk Management, the parent company of the specialty brokerage firm Risk Strategies and wholesaler One80 Intermediaries, for about $9.8 billion.
Daytona Beach, Florida-based Brown & Brown will purchase RSC Topco Inc., the holding company for Boston-based Accession–one of the largest privately held brokerages in the U.S.
After the close of the transaction, expected in the third quarter, the Risk Strategies team will become part of Brown & Brown’s retail segment. Accession CEO John Mina will join the retail senior leadership team.
Accession, founded in 1997, has over 5,300 employees in the U.S. and Canada and reported revenue of approximately $1.7 billion in 2024.
Brown & Brown, the seventh largest global broker with nearly $4.3 billion in revenue, according to AM Best’s 2024 ranking, enters the recent M&A action from the world’s top brokers.
Midwest
Risk Strategies, Schroeder Insurance
Risk Strategies acquired Schroeder Insurance, a Missouri-based firm with a specialty focus in the commercial lines and private client sectors. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Led by brothers Paul and Ted Schroeder, who each have over 30 years of industry experience, Schroeder Insurance’s business is closely split between commercial and private clients. The agency has specialty experience in hospitality, the public sector, and emergency response organizations, among others.
Schroeder Insurance traces its beginnings back to 1953 and founding partners A.C. Schroeder and Charles H. Schroeder. Its two offices in Union and Washington are located just west of St. Louis, Missouri.
In Missouri alone, Risk Strategies has recently acquired Thomas McGee Group, Stephens & Associates, and Beattie & Associates, all based in St. Louis and Kansas City.
Taylor Oswald Moves Headquarters to Cleveland, Ohio
Taylor Oswald, a provider of group benefits and property and casualty insurance, announced it is relocating its corporate headquarters in Cleveland.
With the move, Taylor Oswald joins its partner, Oswald Companies, at Oswald Tower on the East Bank of the Flats. Taylor Oswald said the move triples its office footprint and deepens its commitment to Cleveland.
Taylor Oswald President and CEO Eddie Taylor said the move allows the company to tap into the local talent pool and maintain strong ties with the community.
Taylor Oswald is an insurance advisor in the areas of property and casualty, employee benefits, retirement plan services, personal and family risk management, life insurance and wealth preservation. In 2025, it also expanded to provide workers’ compensation third-party administration.
Ryan Specialty, JM Wilson
Ryan Specialty signed a definitive agreement to acquire the business of JM Wilson Corporation. JM Wilson is based in Michigan and its operations will become part of RT Binding Authority, the binding authority specialty of Ryan Specialty.
Founded in 1920, JM Wilson has six offices throughout the United States. The business has a broad range of offerings, including products ranging from personal lines to surety, and is well known for its expertise in transportation. JM Wilson generated approximately $19 million of operating revenue for the 12 months ended January 31.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025. Philo Smith served as exclusive financial advisor to JM Wilson.
South Central
Artemis Insurance, Tyner Jeter Insurance
Artemis Insurance, the parent brand of Texan Insurance, Ozark Insurance, and Marek Insurance, announced the acquisition of Baton Rouge-based Tyner Jeter Insurance.
Formerly part of McInnis Tyner Agency since 1972, the team launched Tyner Jeter Insurance in August 2012.
Earlier this year Artemis expanded into Louisiana by partnering with Ozark Insurance. Kyle Watson, managing partner for Ozark Insurance, will expand his role to oversee both Louisiana-based agencies.
Southeast
Unison Risk Advisors, Hatcher Insurance
The Orlando, Florida-based boutique agency and brokerage Hatcher Insurance is now part of Unison Risk Advisors.
Hatcher, founded almost 80 years ago, offers property and liability insurance, surety bonding, employee benefits, and personal insurance services. Billy Palmer, Bryan Robertson, and Cory Broadaway acquired the brokerage in 2020. They will continue with the firm under Unison, the companies said.
The addition of Hatcher complements Unison’s 2023 partnership with Miami-based NSI Insurance Group.
Unison Risk Advisors was formed in 2020 with the merger of Cleveland-based Oswald Companies and RCM&D of Baltimore. It is headquartered in Cleveland and has over 1,200 employees across 25 offices. Robert Klonk is chairman and chief executive officer.
Patriot Growth Services, Brennan & Co.
Brennan & Co. insurance agency, based in Savannah, Georgia, is now part of Patriot Growth Services, a brokerage and insurance services firm that has grown rapidly since its founding in 2019. Patriot Growth has its headquarters in Pennsylvania and operates 170 offices nationwide.
Brennan began business in 2005, specializing in commercial marine insurance, including coverage for terminals, stevedores, shipyards, and towing, dredging and marine construction firms. The firm also offers property-casualty coverage and employee benefits services. It is led by principals Edward Brennan, Austin Denney, and Owen Brennan.
King Risk Partners, Nobles Insurance Agency
King Risk Partners has acquired Nobles Insurance Agency in North Carolina.
Nobles, with offices in Raleigh, Clayton, and other cities, has been in business for almost 60 years, binding life, homeowners, auto, and commercial insurance plans.
Terry Nobles Jr. is owner of the agency.
King Risk, based in Gainesville, Florida, has operated since 1974 and has expanded steadily in recent years through acquisitions across the eastern United States.
CRC Group Rebrands BenefitMall
Three years after it purchased BenefitMall, Alabama-based CRC Group is rebranding its employee benefits division as CRC Benefits.
The change marks a significant step in aligning the division with CRC Group’s broader go-to-market strategy and will include a new logo. CRC Benefits will offer a comprehensive wholesale employee benefits platform and will continue to work with agencies nationwide.
CRC Group, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is an independent insurance wholesaler founded in the 1980s.
The group is part of Truist Insurance Holdings. CRC acquired Dallas-based BenefitMall, a wholesale benefits general agency, in September 2022.
West
Hub International Ltd., Wycoff Insurance Agency Inc.
Hub International Ltd., headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, acquired the assets of Wycoff Insurance Agency Inc. in Mount Vernon, Washington. Wycoff Insurance will be referred to as Wycoff Insurance Agency, a Hub International company.
Chris Eisses, president; Donnie Keltz, vice president, secretary and treasurer; and the Wycoff Insurance team will join Hub Northwest.
Wycoff Insurance is a locally owned insurance agency providing commercial and personal insurance.
Monarch E&S Insurance Services, Market Finders Inc.
Monarch E&S Insurance Services acquired Market Finders Inc. (MFI) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Monarch E&S Insurance Services is a division of Specialty Program Group LLC.
MFI is a managing general agent and wholesale broker founded in 1971. MFI specializes in both personal and commercial lines, including transportation risks, led by President Steve Shaffer.
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Wilkins & Associates Insurance Services
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, acquired Reno, Nevada-based Wilkins & Associates Insurance Services Inc.
Steve Wilkins, Jared Wilkins, and their team will operate under the direction of Scott Firestone, head of Gallagher’s Southwest region retail property/casualty brokerage operations.
Wilkins & Associates, founded by Tom and Melanie Wilkins, is a retail insurance broker serving commercial and personal lines clients in Reno and western Nevada.
InterWest Insurance Services, Armstrong & Associates Insurance Services
InterWest Insurance Services, headquartered in Sacramento, California, has acquired Armstrong & Associates Insurance Services in the state of California.
Martin Armstrong will remain in a leadership role, with all employees coming over to InterWest.
Founded in 2004, Armstrong specializes in agribusiness and serves clients throughout California and beyond.
Inszone Insurance Services, Denver West Insurance Brokers
Inszone Insurance Services acquired Denver West Insurance Brokers in Golden, Colorado. Denver West Insurance Brokers will retain the same office and team members.
Founded in 2003 by Tina Kiel, Denver West Insurance Brokers is a provider of commercial, personal and benefits insurance services.
Inzone Insurance Services, Evers Insurance LLC
Inszone Insurance Services, headquartered in Sacramento, California, acquired Evers Insurance LLC in Cave Creek, Arizona.
Evers Insurance specializes in commercial insurance, particularly in the garage and auto dealer industries. It was founded in 2011 by Britt Evers. Jake Evers also contributed to the firm’s growth as a generalist in commercial lines.
Alliant Insurance Services, Johnson Benefit Planning
Alliant Insurance Services acquired Johnson Benefit Planning in Oregon. The Johnson Benefit Planning team will join Alliant.
Johnson Benefit Planning is an employee benefits consulting firm with offices in Bend and West Linn, Oregon. Alliant is headquartered in Irvine, California.
