When Values Drive Value
A Thoughtful Agency Transition Done Right Growing up the son of an independent insurance agent, Alan Sills of Ralph P. Sills Insurance Agency, didn’t originally plan to be part of the family business. He pursued a legal career, attending law school and practicing as an attorney for several years before his father asked him for […]
Two Truths and a Lie About the Insurance Agency M&A Environment
Given the massive number of M&A transactions in the IA system over the past decade, it has created an abundance of misinformation about the M&A environment for independent agency owners. In an effort to clear up some of the misconceptions, we are going to engage in a game of two truths and a lie. Truth […]
How Publicly Traded Brokers’ Values Impact Retail Agencies’ Values
Most independent agency owners don’t wake up thinking about Arthur J. Gallagher’s balance sheet or the private equity cost of capital. You’re thinking about renewals, staffing, carrier relationships, and whether the market will soften or harden. But here’s the truth: the valuations making headlines in the insurance brokerage world are quietly shaping what your agency […]
You Only Have One Opportunity to Sell Your Agency. Is DIY the Best Idea?
Insurance agents advise their clients every day on risk, protection, and long-term financial outcomes. Yet, when it comes time to sell their own agency, often the most valuable financial asset they will ever own, many owners choose a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach. That decision is not just inconsistent with the advice agents give their clients; it […]
Is the M&A Environment Good or Bad for Your Agency?
The IA system has been in a period of prolonged consolidation for the past 30 years without any signs of a real slowdown. According to the Agency Universe Study, the number of independent insurance agencies has declined by 12% since 1996, and barring a 10% increase in 2022 (a temporary COVID bump), the IA system […]
A Boutique Brokerage Built to Endure: The BlueStone Advisors Growth Story
Husband and wife duo, Andrew Royce and Tracie Rasmussen, started BlueStone Advisors over a decade ago, and in that time, they’ve built a firm rooted in purpose, innovation, and lasting impact.
Four Insurance Agency Valuations Trends to Watch in 2026
As we step into 2026, independent insurance agencies face a valuation landscape shaped by a softening insurance market, prolonged economic uncertainty, continuing agency consolidation, shifting ownership dynamics, and rapidly evolving technology. For agency owners contemplating perpetuation, a sale, or simply benchmarking their business value, understanding the following trends is critical for 2026 business planning. 1. […]
Building Value Through Talent Acquisition – A Case Study for Independent Insurance Agencies
Today’s insurance landscape is facing a “talent desert,” and agencies that want to thrive are shifting their focus from chasing revenue to acquiring growth-minded professionals. These sellers, often younger, ambitious, and hungry for scale, are the oasis in this dry terrain. When you find one, the impact can be transformative. A well-aligned talent acquisition doesn’t […]
Private Equity in Insurance: What Independent Agencies Need to Know
What Drives Agency Valuations in Today’s Private Equity Landscape The insurance brokerage industry has undergone a fundamental transformation over the past decade. Private equity capital has flooded the space, creating approximately 45 institutional buyers actively consolidating the fragmented landscape of about 35,000 independent agencies. For agency owners navigating this market, whether considering a sale, planning […]
Building Value Through Acquisition – A Case Study for Independent Insurance Agencies
There are many ways to increase agency value, but there are always questions. Is organic or acquired growth better? What do I need to think about when considering an acquisition? How do I create the financial model to decide what to offer in an acquisition? What is the benefit of a new producer? Is an […]