DOXA Insurance Holdings acquires two Accident & Health Scholastic Insurance Providers
April 9, 2020, Fort Wayne, IN, USA — Leading specialty insurance agencies Lawrence E. Smith & Associates (LESA) of greater St. Louis, MO, and Scholastic Insurance of Florida (SIF) of greater Orlando, FL, have jointly announced their respective acquisitions by DOXA Insurance Holdings, LLC (DOXA). Each agency will continue operations under the leadership of Larry Smith and his son, Lane Smith, respectively, as well as retaining their individual brand names within the scholastic insurance markets they serve in nine Midwestern and southern states.
Larry launched LESA in 1977, pioneering accident and health coverage within school systems throughout Missouri, eventually expanding the business to include nine states. Lane joined his father’s business in 2001, and together in 2004, acquired ownership of the Florida agency that is now the primary provider of scholastic insurance programs in the state of Florida.
“Larry and Lane each have long track records of success in providing industry-leading accident insurance and claims administrative services for public and private schools and camps throughout the Midwest and southeastern U.S.,” states Matt Sackett, CEO of DOXA. “We have great respect for their work and commitment to providing competitive coverage, excellent claim service, and rate stability for schools.”
Larry Smith explains, “For us, it was the right time to explore the next level of growth and sustainability for LESA and SIF while creating a smart succession plan. Certainly, a competitive offer is important; but equally to us was finding the right partner that understands our business and the legacy we’ve created.”
“We vetted several potential suitors,” adds Lane Smith, “however, DOXA was the obvious, long-term fit for us. DOXA allows us to continue marketing our programs and services to schools on an as-is basis. School clients will continue receiving the highest level of prompt, personal services they deserve and have come to expect from us.”
Larry and Lane Smith also commented that MarshBerry served as financial advisor to each of LESA and SIF on this transaction.
DOXA Insurance Holdings acquires Ultra Risk Advisors
February 17, 2020, Bellevue, WA, USA — Ultra Risk Advisors, a wholesale broker with a focus on non-standard physicians, correctional healthcare, human services, aging services, and miscellaneous medical facilities, has announced its acquisition by DOXA Insurance Holdings, LLC (DOXA). Ultra Risk Advisors will continue its operations under the leadership of Chris Randall and his staff, and retain the Ultra Risk Advisors name.
“We are excited to have Chris Randall and his team join the DOXA family”, states Matt Sackett, DOXA CEO. “From our first interactions with Chris, we immediately realized that Ultra Risk Advisors shares many of the same philosophies as DOXA, specifically, the mission to understand the industries we serve to a level where we are recognized as experts, provide these industries with quality products and services with efficient processes that exceed our client’s expectations.”
Ultra Risk Advisors began as the healthcare division of National Specialty Underwriters (NSU) in 1995, rebranding as Ultra Risk Advisors in 2012, under the marketing name of Ultra. The firm developed its industry niche as a wholesale insurance provider within high-risk sectors of healthcare, namely liability, malpractice, and proactive risk management.
“The Ultra team is very pleased to join forces with DOXA Insurance while retaining our ability to further develop new and existing relationships with retail agents serving the healthcare industry,” says Chris Randall, President of Ultra. “This is a strategic step in our growth as we look forward to utilizing additional resources to bring even greater solutions to our retail agents.”
Ultra Risk Advisors will continue operating as Ultra from its home office in Bellevue, WA, with satellite offices in Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Vancouver, WA. Mr. Randall will continue leading Ultra’s transition into DOXA while assuming the role of DOXA’s Chief Underwriting Officer.
Insurance Veteran Bill Vit appointed to DOXA Board of Directors
October 15, 2019, FORT WAYNE, INDIANA – DOXA INSURANCE HOLDINGS, LLC., a Midwest-based private holdings company acquiring medium to small managing general agencies (MGAs), program administrators and specialty underwriting companies, has announced the appointment of senior insurance executive Bill Vit to the company’s board of directors. He brings more than 40 years of insurance industry expertise, most notably as the head of Aon Affinity’s Business practice that grew from $250MM revenue to $500MM revenue under his leadership.
“We are especially pleased to welcome Bill to lend his experience to our team,” commented Matt Sackett, CEO of DOXA Insurance Holdings. “Bill’s track record of developing and executing growth strategies for Aon’s Affinity Business Unit is ideally aligned with DOXA’s mission and approach. We look forward to Bill’s thought leadership as DOXA continues its aggressive expansion through acquisition and organic growth.”
“DOXA’s right-sized approach to acquiring medium to small MGAs and Program Administrators excites me”, Bill states. “It is an often over-looked and under-valued sector within the industry that offers a great opportunity. I look forward to assisting DOXA in the expansion of their rapidly growing business.”
Mr. Vit joins DOXA’s board of directors following the company’s relatively recent niche-focus acquisitions of Promont Insurance Advisors hard-to-place excess and surplus (E&S) insurance solutions; Chatham Insurance Services managed care liability coverage options; and Financial Risk Solutions comprehensive commercial HVAC insurance.
DOXA Insurance Holdings Announces its Acquisition of Financial Risk Solutions and Chill-Pro® Insurance Program
July 8, 2019, Fort Wayne, Indiana — Financial Risk Solutions, Inc., parent of the Chill-Pro® Insurance Program that provides comprehensive commercial HVAC service contract insurance and product warranty insurance, has announced its acquisition by DOXA Insurance Holdings, LLC (DOXA). Financial Risk Solutions will maintain operations under the leadership of Jim Wilson and the staff, retain the Financial Risk Solutions and Chill-Pro® names, and remain headquartered in Chicago, IL. The acquisition of Financial Risk Solutions follows DOXA’s two previous acquisitions of MGAs seeking succession plans.
“We are a relationship-based company with some partnerships reaching back 30 years,” states Jim Wilson, President of Financial Risk Solutions. “The opportunity of involving DOXA in our operations and becoming part of the DOXA team is something that aligns perfectly with our core values of credibility, dependability, integrity, and stability. This will create a new level of growth for the organization and the ability to continue building relationships within the HVAC insurance arena.”
Launched on June 1, 2000, Financial Risk Solutions experienced rapid growth and quick success as its commercial HVAC insurance program became widely embraced throughout the industry. FRS is an acclaimed industry leader and a specialized underwriting expert of insurance products designed to help minimize the risk associated with HVAC service contract agreements and extended warranties. Financial Risk Solutions works with commercial HVAC installers across the U.S. and underwrites on behalf of one of the strongest carriers in the industry with an A+ (Superior) rating by AM Best. More information about Financial Risk Solutions is available online at www.financialrs.com .
“Welcoming Financial Risk Solutions into the DOXA family of insurance providers is a mutually beneficial opportunity, and we very much look forward to working with Jim Wilson and the team,” explains Tim Wiggins, Chief Operations Officer of DOXA. “Companies like this are successful because of their ability to pair tremendous amounts of industry expertise with exceptional personal service over time. This is precisely the type of company DOXA helps achieve the next level. We’re in the business of helping MGAs implement customized succession plans and welcome interested MGAs to the table.”
DOXA Insurance Holdings acquires Chatham Insurance Services
July 1, 2018, Schaumburg, IL, USA — Chatham Insurance Services, Inc. (Chatham), the largest independent provider of Errors and Omissions insurance to the Managed Care industry, has announced its acquisition by DOXA Insurance Holdings, LLC (DOXA). Chatham will continue its operations under the leadership of Jeff Stetson and his staff, retain the Chatham name, and remain headquartered in Schaumburg, IL.
“This is an exceptional opportunity for us to lay the foundation for the next generation of Chatham,” stated Jeff Stetson, President. “Our transaction with DOXA permits Chatham to continue its steadfast commitment to serving our clients with the industry-leading coverage and service they come to expect from us.”
Chatham began operations in 2002 by Jeff Stetson and Jim Cannella, experts in underwriting in the Managed Care industry since 1987. The firm quickly grew to become the leading independent underwriter solely focused on Management Liability Insurance and Managed Care coverage across the U.S. Chatham targets all sizes of publicly and privately held companies as well as nonprofit organizations in need of Managed Care insurance services. Chatham insurance carrier partners are among some of the most stable in the industry, maintaining A.M. Best A++ and A+ ratings. More information about Chatham can be found online at www.chathamins.com
“We’re excited to welcome the Chatham team into the DOXA family of Managing General Agencies,” states Matt Sackett, DOXA’s CEO. “The expertise and methodical approach that the Chatham staff brings to the table is remarkable, and we look forward to sharing in their future growth and success.”
Specialized Insurance Underwriter Launches Partnership with A++ Carrier Partner
Chicago, IL, March 2, 2018 — Effective immediately, Promont Insurance Advisors will offer competitive renewal and new business quotations for Allied Health and Churches & Schools programs with their new A++ Carrier Partner. The partnership will provide coverage through one of the most financially secure insurance companies and is an important part of Promont’s commitment to professional and proficient customer service. The new partnership offers similar rates and coverages, and, in many cases, includes expanded product offerings.
ProPoint Claims, Promont’s wholly-owned Claims Third Party Administrator, will continue handling claims for Promont’s Allied Health and Churches & Schools Programs, enabling Promont’s insureds to continue receiving Promont’s industry-leading claims service. The new partner is a non-admitted insurance company with an A+ XV rating by AM Best. Products will remain offered on an open brokerage basis through licensed retail and wholesale insurance brokerages.
“This partnership is another exciting piece of our strategic commitment to providing insureds with the best possible coverage and care,” stated Jeff Longbons, President of Promont Insurance Advisors. “A critical element to the partnership is our ability to expand the product offerings of two very important pieces of Promont’s portfolio: Allied Health and Church & Schools Programs. In addition to possessing financial stability, our new partner is a stalwart player in the Managing General Agency and Program Administration space. They understand how to help PROMONT continue to improve our industry-leading response time and service levels.”
Promont Insurance Advisors is a Chicago-based, industry-leading, specialized underwriting organization with a focus on Home Healthcare providers and non-standard Churches. Promont accepts business on an open brokerage basis from retail and wholesale insurance brokerages for risk within the United States and it territories and is a member company of Fort Wayne, IN-based DOXA Insurance Holdings, LLC.
Promont Advisors and ProPoint Claims Services join DOXA Insurance Holdings
Fort Wayne, Indiana, May 12, 2017 – DOXA INSURANCE HOLDINGS, LLC., an Indiana based company focused on purchasing Managing General Agents nationwide, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Promont Advisors and ProPoint Claims Services. Chicago-based Promont and Propoint specialize in providing insurance and claims administration for difficult classifications of business in the allied health space, along with hard-to-place religious institutions, hotels, motels, apartment complexes, and professional liability. Both organizations are recognized for their in-depth general liability and property underwriting expertise for the businesses they insure. Promont has underwriting authority on behalf of several “A” rated or better insurance companies.
“A partnership with DOXA means ensuring the future of Promont without sacrificing quality of service,” stated Jeffrey Longbons, President of Promont Advisors. “With DOXA, we’ll be able to provide more options to our clients. The team at DOXA worked with us to meet our objectives without compromising staff, services, or Promont’s reputation for excellence. We look forward to the progress we’ll make with DOXA on our side.”
“Promont impressed us with their outstanding team and great operation,” stated Matt Sackett, President and CEO of DOXA. “We’re excited to partner with them, and we see their organization forming a solid foundation for the growing DOXA portfolio.”
Promont will operate and market as Promont Insurance Advisors with its brand approach aligning with overall DOXA Insurance strategies. More information about Promont Insurance Advisors is available at www.promontadvisors.com.
Tim Wiggins Joins New MGA-Focused Holding Company as Chief Operating Officer and Managing Partner
Fort Wayne, Indiana, June 6, 2016 — DOXA Insurance Holdings, LLC (DOXA), a Midwest-based, MGA-focused holding company launched in April 2016, announced Timothy Wiggins as Chief Operating Officer and Managing Partner. Mr. Wiggins brings nearly 22 years of insurance-oriented IT and operations experience into the DOXA organization, having held the positions of VP of Operations & CIO at The Medical Protective Company (Berkshire Hathaway), several IT leadership roles with GE Insurance, and various consulting roles with EDS Insurance (now HP Enterprise Services). By design, DOXA partners with and acquires managing general agents (MGAs) that focus on specialty commercial property and casualty niches. The company is based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and may be reached at (260) 437-0091 or online at www.DOXAInsurance.com
“Tim brings a significant amount of insurance process, technology and carrier experience to our organization,” said Matt Sackett CEO of DOXA Insurance Holdings. “His expertise is good for DOXA, but more importantly, beneficial for our acquired MGAs that often have limited time to invest in identifying, developing, and deploying back room strategies. Tim’s level of experience allows us to effectively fortify our MGA partners by supporting their objectives to increase revenues, leverage best practices, develop cohesive operational strategies, and ease transactional pinch points that support customer satisfaction.”
Specialty Insurance Veteran Introduces New MGA-Focused Holding Company
Fort Wayne, Indiana, April 11, 2016 — A group of investors led by Matthew Sackett, former senior vice president of national sales for K&K Insurance and former president and CEO of Leisure Sports Specialists, has announced the formation of DOXA Insurance Holdings, LLC (DOXA). DOXA is a company built to partner with and acquire managing general agents (MGAs) that focus on specialty commercial property and casualty niches. The company is based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and may be reached at (260) 437-0091 or online at www.DoxaInsurance.com
More specifically and by design, DOXA seeks small to medium, independently owned and operated MGAs that have established brand recognition within their niche markets, have track records of success, and whose ownership anticipates or is actively seeking a business succession option without limiting or sacrificing full control of operations.
“Medium and small MGAs are often overlooked by firms that are actively acquiring within the insurance industry. The ‘bigger is better’ mindset prevails,” explains Sackett, CEO of DOXA Insurance Holdings. “From our experience, there is a tremendous amount of knowledge, passion, and creativity within what the industry refers to as a ‘small MGA.’ DOXA’s goal is to partner with these smaller to mid-sized agencies, assist their growth and operational objectives with DOXA’s experience, and allow each proprietor to continue managing but with the freedom to consider his or her next steps.”