Insurance Acquisitions in Georgia

King Risk Partners, the 51st largest U.S. insurance brokerage, has acquired Lewis Insurance, a Thomasville, Georgia-based agency, to bolster its Southern presence. Lewis Insurance — led by owner Jason Lewis — will continue delivering local personal and commercial insurance services while gaining access to King Risk Partners' broader resources and capabilities.

King Risk Partners, a leading U.S. insurance brokerage headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, has acquired Hanc Group, an Alpharetta, Georgia-based insurance agency serving individuals and businesses—particularly Georgia’s Korean community. The deal expands King Risk Partners’ presence across Georgia and adds local expertise in personal, commercial, and employee-benefit insurance offerings.

DOXA, a specialty insurance platform based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, has acquired American Hole ‘n One (AHNO), a Buford, Georgia–based provider of hole-in-one and prize indemnity insurance. The deal brings AHNO’s nearly 40 years of prize indemnity and event-promotion capabilities into DOXA’s Consumer Vertical to expand DOXA’s prize indemnity and event promotions insurance offerings.

ALKEME Insurance, a national insurance brokerage based in Ladera Ranch, California, has acquired USA Health Insurance, a Woodstock, Georgia agency specializing in personal health, Medicare, and national group benefits. The deal expands ALKEME's health benefits capabilities and adds experienced advisors to its growing national platform.

Lee Equity Partners led a $1.6 billion recapitalization of McLarens Global Limited, with participation from several institutional investors, giving existing shareholders the option of partial liquidity while providing McLarens significant new growth capital. McLarens is a global provider of technical insurance claims and risk consulting services with roughly 1,600 experts across a broad international footprint; the capital will support continued geographic expansion and capability build-out.

Oakbridge Insurance Agency LLC announced that Phoenix Associates, a Marietta, Georgia-based independent insurance agency focused on private schools and daycares, has joined Oakbridge's platform. The deal expands Oakbridge's specialty offerings in the education sector and gives Phoenix access to broader service capabilities and resources to support growth. Oakbridge is PE-backed (Audax Private Equity) and will operate Phoenix as part of its growing agency platform.

Stone Point Capital and CPP Investments have acquired a majority stake in OneDigital from Onex in a private-equity led transaction. The investment will support OneDigital’s continued growth and capability expansion across its insurance, employee benefits, HR and retirement services platform, while Onex exits a controlling position.

Neace Ventures has made a strategic investment in Afore Insurance Services and John Neace will join Afore's Board of Directors as Vice Chairman. Neace Ventures will contribute a portfolio of insurance agency acquisitions currently under LOI that Afore will close, accelerating Afore’s national roll-up and expanding its footprint and capabilities.

Colony Bankcorp, Inc. (through its insurance subsidiary Colony Insurance) has acquired The Ellerbee Agency, an Allstate-appointed consumer property and casualty insurance agency. The acquisition adds two office locations in Monroe and Greensboro, Georgia, and brings Sean Ellerbee and eleven experienced agents into Colony Insurance to expand its footprint and customer base.

Highstreet Insurance Partners acquired Winder Insurance Center, adding a Winder, Georgia office and local team led by Russ Shepley and Brett Gamblin. The deal expands Highstreet's footprint in the Georgia market and strengthens its commercial and personal insurance capabilities in the Southeast Region.

ALKEME, a Top 35 insurance brokerage based in Ladera Ranch, California, has acquired Professional Benefits Consultants (PBC), a benefits agency headquartered in Canton, Georgia. The acquisition expands ALKEME's presence in the southern United States and strengthens its employee benefits and Medicare/individual insurance capabilities.

King Risk Partners, a top-100 U.S. insurance broker based in Gainesville, Florida, has acquired Talbert Insurance Services, an independent insurance agency in Duluth, Georgia. The deal expands King Risk Partners’ footprint in Georgia and strengthens its capacity to serve personal and commercial insurance clients across the Southeast.

DigitalBGA, a technology-driven life insurance brokerage based in Austin, Texas, has acquired NoExam.com, a direct-to-consumer life insurance platform that offers policies without medical exams. The acquisition strengthens DigitalBGA's consumer-facing capabilities and expands its product offerings in no-exam life insurance distribution; financial terms were not disclosed.

A-G Specialty Insurance has acquired eSportsInsurance, a provider of insurance products for amateur youth and adult sports. The deal brings eSportsInsurance’s specialized program business, click-and-bind portal and general liability offerings into A-G Specialty’s portfolio to expand its sports-focused insurance and risk-management capabilities.

Culpeper Insurance Partners, LLC made a significant investment in and merged with Afore Insurance Services, creating a larger national independent insurance brokerage. Michael A. Garguilo of Culpeper will become CEO of the combined company, which will operate as Afore Insurance Services with more than 20 offices across 10 states, over $350 million in annual premiums placed, and more than 140 employees; Crestline Investors provided a large credit facility to support growth.

King Insurance Partners, a Gainesville, Florida-based insurance agency, has acquired Lincoln Insurance Group, an independent insurance agency in McDonough, Georgia. The deal expands King's presence in Georgia and adds Lincoln’s team and product expertise in personal and commercial insurance to King's service offerings.

Hellman & Friedman has closed a majority investment in Safe-Guard Products International, a leading provider of third-party private-label finance and insurance protection products for the automotive, RV, marine, and powersports markets. Stone Point Capital will remain a partner on the board, and Safe-Guard’s management team will continue to lead the business with Randy Barkowitz named Executive Chairman and David Pryor assuming the role of CEO.

PointeNorth Insurance Group (PNIG) has acquired Valdosta Insurance Services, Inc. (Valdosta, GA) and Southern Insurance Advisors (Milton/Marietta, GA), expanding its footprint across southern and mid-Georgia and northern Florida. The acquired agencies will continue to operate under their brands (Valdosta will retain its name) with existing leadership staying on as PointeNorth integrates their practices and capabilities.

Hub International Limited acquired the assets of Skinner & Company, Inc., a Marietta, Georgia-based commercial insurance and risk management agency. The deal — for undisclosed terms — brings Skinner's construction bond and commercial insurance expertise into Hub's Specialty practice; Todd Skinner and his team will join Hub Gulf South. Skinner & Company was represented by Reagan Consulting.

King Insurance Partners has acquired Palmer Insurance, an independent insurance agency based in Bainbridge, Georgia. The deal expands King Insurance Partners' geographic footprint in Georgia and brings Palmer's client-focused team and local relationships into King's network.

IMA Financial Group announced a strategic partnership that brings The Benefit Company (TBC) and The Bottoms Group (TBG) into the IMA family effective Oct. 1, 2023. The two Georgia-based employee benefits brokerages — which together employ 34 associates and will retain their leadership and offices — will expand IMA's employee benefits capabilities and deepen its presence in the Southeastern United States.

Audax Private Equity has partnered with Oakbridge's management team to acquire a majority stake in Oakbridge Insurance Agency LLC from Corsair Capital; terms were not disclosed. Audax said it will support Oakbridge's buy-and-build strategy to accelerate growth across the Southeast while Oakbridge's management and employees retain a significant ownership position.

Simplicity Group Holdings, Inc. has acquired The Dempsey Companies, a nationally recognized insurance brokerage comprised of Dempsey Associates and Dempsey Financial Network. Kay Dempsey and her team will join Simplicity as partners, enhancing Simplicity's life insurance distribution capabilities and expanding resources for financial advisors serving high-net-worth clients.

Oakbridge Insurance Agency LLC announced a partnership with The Cole Agency, a multi-line insurance agency in Montezuma, Georgia, expanding Oakbridge’s presence and capabilities in the agribusiness and poultry insurance market. The Cole Agency will remain in Montezuma and continue operations while gaining access to Oakbridge’s resources and risk-management platform.

Integrity Marketing Group has acquired DeLong Sales Group, an independent marketing organization (IMO) based in LaGrange, Georgia. Scott DeLong will join Integrity as a Managing Partner as the agency gains access to Integrity’s insurtech platform, marketing assets and shared business services; financial terms were not disclosed.

Alera Group, a national insurance and wealth services firm, has acquired Sutter, McLellan & Gilbreath, an independent insurance agency serving Metro Atlanta and statewide Georgia. The acquisition expands Alera Group’s presence in Georgia and adds employee benefits and property & casualty capabilities to its platform; terms were not disclosed.

The Hilb Group, a Richmond-based property & casualty and employee benefits brokerage backed by The Carlyle Group, acquired Alpharetta, Georgia-based Gillman Insurance Problem Solvers (including affiliates APA Insurance Services and 3G Truckin' Insurance), effective December 1, 2022. The deal expands Hilb Group's Southeast U.S. presence and deepens its P&C expertise; Ed Gillman and his team will join Hilb's Southeast regional operations.

Hub International Limited has acquired the assets of Chatham Insurance Partners, LLC, an independent commercial and personal insurance agency based in Savannah, Georgia. The acquisition expands Hub's presence in the Savannah market and strengthens its commercial and personal lines capabilities across healthcare, construction, high-net-worth and hospitality sectors.

PCF Insurance Services, a top-20 U.S. insurance brokerage headquartered in Lehi, Utah, has acquired Voluntary Benefits at Work (VB@Work), an Atlanta-based broker specializing in voluntary employee benefits, enrollment, billing and support services. The acquisition expands PCF’s partner network and adds specialized voluntary benefits capabilities and distribution to its employee benefits offerings; terms were not disclosed.

Alera Group, a national insurance and wealth services firm, has acquired NPC Benefits, an Atlanta-based specialty insurance consulting firm focused on personal income and supplemental disability insurance. The NPC Benefits team will remain in place and continue serving clients; financial terms were not disclosed.

Choice Financial Group has partnered with Georgia Pines Agency, LLC to expand its insurance platform into Florida, Georgia and California. The transaction (which closed August 1, 2022) adds GPA’s 12 branch locations and ~65 team members to Choice’s PE-backed platform (Choice is backed by Northlane Capital Partners) and represents Choice’s tenth acquisition since teaming with Northlane in October 2021.

Alera Group has acquired ARISTA Consulting Group, an Atlanta-based employee benefits, retirement and financial planning consulting firm. The transaction expands Alera's capabilities in employee benefits and retirement services and strengthens its presence in the Southeast; terms were not disclosed.

Higginbotham has brought Holman and Company, an Alpharetta-based commercial and personal insurance broker, into its firm, adding a third Georgia office and expanding service capabilities in the greater Atlanta market. The deal gives Holman broader access to insurer markets and Higginbotham additional local presence and employee-benefit capabilities while Holman leadership will continue in managing roles.

Hub International Limited has acquired the assets of Alexander & Company, a Woodstock, Georgia-based employee benefits advisory firm focused on public education. The Alexander & Company team, led by founder Dale Alexander, will join Hub Gulf South as part of Hub's effort to expand its employee benefits capabilities in the region; terms were not disclosed.

Alera Group, through its Propel Insurance business, acquired The Beck Agency, an independent insurance agency based in Alpharetta, Georgia. The Beck Agency's team will remain in their current roles and will join Alera Group via Propel Insurance to access the national resources and capabilities of the larger firm.

Relation Insurance Services, a PE-backed national insurance brokerage, acquired the assets of Georgia-based Allen Insurance Group in December 2021. The deal expands Relation's presence in Georgia and strengthens its commercial trucking insurance capabilities; Allen's leaders Gary Allen and Tricia Adams will continue to run the business.

King Insurance, a Gainesville, Florida-based full-service insurance brokerage, acquired Piedmont Insurance Associates, an independent insurance agency with offices in Covington and Newnan, Georgia. The acquisition is King's first expansion outside Florida and continues its roll-up strategy following a partnership with investor BHMS Investments, LP.

Align Financial Holdings, a San Diego-based insurance holding company, has acquired NationsBuilders Insurance Services (NBIS), a Atlanta-headquartered program administrator and managing general underwriter specializing in crane & rigging, specialized transportation, concrete pump and equipment rental industries. SunTx Capital Partners, the prior owner, sold NBIS as part of a strategic move to expand Align's portfolio of specialty underwriting programs; financial terms were not disclosed.

NFP, a leading insurance broker and consultant, acquired Fallon Benefits Group, an Atlanta-based employee benefits brokerage and consulting firm; the transaction closed July 23, 2021. The acquisition strengthens NFP's benefits capabilities and expands its middle-market expertise in the Southeast, with Fallon leadership remaining engaged post-close.

Hub International Limited has acquired the assets of Risk Point Consulting, Inc., a Marietta, Georgia-based specialist in sports and college athletics bonus coverage and over-redemption insurance. The Risk Point team will join Hub's Gulf South region to strengthen Hub's Sports & Entertainment Specialty practice and expand its capabilities in the southern U.S.; terms were not disclosed.

Constellation Affiliated Partners has acquired INSUREtrust, a specialty wholesale broker and managing general agent (MGA) headquartered in the Atlanta, Georgia area; financial terms were not disclosed. The deal expands Constellation's portfolio and technology-enabled cyber liability and technology E&O capabilities; INSUREtrust founder Steve Haase is retiring and Christiaan Durdaller was named President and CEO.

Century Equity Partners has become the new majority owner of Hancock Claims Consultants Holdings, LLC, a U.S.-based property and casualty claims inspection and mitigation services provider. The investment will supply capital to expand Hancock's field resources, accelerate growth and pursue add-on acquisitions while founder Brad Hancock retains a significant ownership position.

AssuredPartners, Inc. has acquired Dawson, Taylor & Company, an Augusta, Georgia-based insurance agency. The 10-person team will remain led by Agency President Michael Taylor as AssuredPartners expands its presence in the Augusta market.

Private equity firm Corsair Capital made a strategic growth investment to combine Founders Insurance, Hutchinson Traylor Insurance, McGinty‑Gordon & Associates, and Waites & Foshee into Oakbridge Insurance Agency LLC. The combination creates a regional insurance brokerage platform serving Georgia and the Southeast with approximately 175 employees across 15 offices and will pursue organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

NFP has acquired Insurance Specialty Group, LLC (ISG), a managing general agent focused on construction and residential builder insurance, in a deal that closed October 9, 2020. The acquisition expands NFP's property & casualty capabilities and P&C footprint in the Southeast while integrating ISG's construction-focused programs and distribution relationships.

Onex Corporation (the Onex Group) agreed to acquire a majority ownership stake in OneDigital from New Mountain Capital, with the transaction valuing OneDigital at $2.65 billion and including an approximate $960 million equity investment by Onex. OneDigital, a leading U.S. employee benefits brokerage and retirement/wealth advisory firm headquartered in Atlanta with more than 2,000 employees, will have Onex and employees owning roughly 83% upon closing; New Mountain will sell down its position. The deal is expected to close in late 2020 pending customary approvals, including HSR clearance.

Protective Life Corporation (Protective) announced it has agreed to acquire the Revolos family of companies to add complementary finance & insurance (F&I) products and distribution to its Asset Protection Division. The deal, which expands Protective's vehicle protection, GAP and ancillary product portfolio and dealer distribution channels, is expected to close in Q1 2021 subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions.

Johnson & Johnson, a family-owned managing general agency based in Charleston, South Carolina, will acquire the assets of National Program Management (NPM) in Alpharetta, Georgia. The transaction — expected to close Sept. 1, 2020 — expands Johnson & Johnson's presence in Georgia and broadens product and service access for NPM's agent relationships.

Baldwin Krystyn Sherman Partners (BKS-Partners), the middle-market subsidiary of BRP Group, Inc., acquired substantially all assets of Atlanta-based Southern Protective Group, a specialty insurance firm focused on medical malpractice solutions. The acquisition will rebrand SPG under the BKS-Partners platform and expand BRP's medical malpractice and risk management capabilities and nationwide distribution.

Hutchinson Traylor, a regional risk management and insurance services firm based in Moultrie, Georgia, has acquired Webber & Associates, Inc., an independent insurance agency in Roswell, Georgia, effective March 1. The deal brings Webber’s specialty homebuilders program and insurance expertise into Hutchinson Traylor’s platform to expand service offerings and reach select builders across Georgia.