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AssuredPartners
Holistically Navigating the Enterprise Risk Landscape

Jim Henderson, Chairman and CEO, AssuredPartnersJim Henderson, Chairman and CEO
Risk is random and real, be it in life or business. While any mishappening in life can be covered under the security of life and health insurance, finding a bulletproof formula to protect businesses isn’t an as easy task to pull off. Business risks today stem from a wide variety of sources, including but not limited to casualty, property, assets, so on and so forth. Owing to this diversity of risk factors, it is essential for businesses to minimize risk factors and transfer potential risks to insurance companies.

This is where AssuredPartners steps in.

Founded in 2011, AssuredPartners is the 6th largest independent P&C insurance brokerage in the nation with offices in over 34 states, the London and Belgium. The company is driven by the mission to provide property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage services to commercial customers and individuals. “Our core value lies in building an environment of trust with our clients where we work as their risk managers,” asserts Jim Henderson, Chairman, and CEO of AssuredPartners.

The dedicated team of AssuredPartners strives to understand the complexities of its clients’ organization and help them navigate their specific risk factors. The consultants and advisors bring extensive expertise in recognizing various types of risks and evaluating different assets.

For example, the company assesses a property on parameters such as location, construction, protection, and others. This helps the clients to make informed decisions and drive operational excellence.

“There are teams within our company that can go downstream to the local office, where the relationship is between the producer and the economic buyer, and carefully look at their risk management program and call the program back to the buyer,” says Henderson.

Our core value lies in building an environment of trust with our clients where we work as their risk managers

The team of risk mitigation specialists at AssuredPartners begins with a risk evaluation strategy where they deeply analyze different types of risks pertaining to employees, property, and products and categorize those based on two criteria—the ones that can be transferred cost-effectively and the ones that can be retained. “Our experts play a vital role in helping clients minimize potential losses and delivering innovative insurance solutions,” says Henderson.

AssuredPartners today serves 20 different industry verticals such as aviation, healthcare, real estate, construction, and others. The company’s approach to cater to its vast clientele ranges from safety studies that involve professional assistance with claims, counseling with employees in terms of employment practices, and health behavior patterns. It has a unit that supports the employers to convey the importance of health to the employees, not in terms of the medical costs but a lifetime quality of life. The company forges a strong relationship with its wide customer base to match the right carrier with the right risk. This does not only include understanding the risk but also the greatest level of trust with a carrier.

With such a unique approach, AssuredPartners has maintained its leadership position in the market over the years. To date, the company has successfully acquired about more than 330 different agencies and brims with pride for being the 11th largest insurance brokerage firm in the U.S. Henderson passes this credit to his people—company’s greatest asset. “Our people are biggest assets. They enable us to earn clients’ and carriers’ trust. We say 98 percent of our capital exits the office in the evening and goes home,” Henderson concludes. E

Company
AssuredPartners

Headquarters
Lake Mary, FL

Management
Jim Henderson, Chairman and CEO

Description
AssuredPartners is the 6th largest independent P&C insurance brokerage in the nation with offices in over 34 states, the London and Belgium. The company provides property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage services to commercial customers and individuals. The team of risk mitigation specialists at AssuredPartners deeply analyze different types of risks and categorize those based on two criteria—the ones that can be transferred cost-effectively and the ones that can be retained. Its experienced consultants understand the complexities of clients’ organization and help them effectively navigate their specific risk factors

AssuredPartners News

AssuredPartners Announces Acquisition of J. Ryan Bonding, Inc.

ORLANDO, FLA - Marking the fourth acquisition in 2023 for AssuredPartners (“AP”), J. Ryan Bonding, Inc. (“J. Ryan”) of Hudson, WI will join the national broker. The team of 11 will remain under the leadership of President, Michael Douglas and Vice President, Chris Steinagel.

“Since 1997, J. Ryan has served as one of the largest surety-only agencies for contractors in the Great Lakes and beyond,” stated Douglas. “We know AssuredPartners as one of the national leaders in the construction and surety arena, and we’re excited about opening doors and expanding opportunities for our employees, clients and the agency.”

“Our team prides itself on providing strategic and creative solutions for contractors’ unique needs,” said Steinagel. “We’ve found a great partnership in joining AssuredPartners, a national broker with nationally recognized expertise in construction and surety that well help us serve our clients at an even higher level.”

AssuredPartners Regional President Greg LaMair stated, “Our construction and surety team is one that thrives by providing exceptional service and innovative solutions, and we’re focused on partnering with agencies that match that same passion and dedicated expertise. Because of that, we are more than pleased to welcome the J.Ryan team to AssuredPartners.”

“Michael, Chris, and the entire J.Ryan team bring a wealth of experience and relationships to our AP Construction and Surety team,” stated AssuredPartners President, Randy Larsen. “We are excited about our future together and the great things we can do for our customers.”

Revamp Your Cargo Insurance Game: 5 Clever Strategies to Drive Down Costs

AssuredPartners Being an experienced trucker, you are well aware of the significance of cargo insurance when it comes to safeguarding your valuable cargo during transportation. However, it's no secret that insurance premiums can often present a significant financial hurdle. The good news is that there are clever methods to overcome this challenge while ensuring the safety of your cargo. In this article, we will explore five effective strategies to reduce your cargo insurance costs and enhance your overall coverage. So, let's dive in!

1. Customized Coverage: Pay for What You Require Imagine this scenario: you're consistently transporting standard loads, and you've perfected the art of securing your cargo. Shouldn't your insurance coverage align with that? Absolutely! Cargo insurance rates should be commensurate with the value of your freight. If you're primarily transporting everyday goods, there's no need to pay a premium for specialized cargo coverage. It's time to tailor your insurance to your specific needs, enabling you to allocate your hard-earned money where it matters most.

2. The Value of Adaptability: Find a Versatile Agent Life on the road can be unpredictable. There may be instances when a golden opportunity arises, and your existing insurance falls short. This is where having a flexible insurance agent becomes crucial. Look for an agency that can swiftly adjust your policy as needed, ensuring you never miss out on lucrative business opportunities. These top-tier agencies understand that in the fast-paced world of trucking, time equates to money. They can provide you with an updated policy on the spot, eliminating the need for waiting.

3. Reducing Losses: Adopt Defensive Driving Your track record is important, and it goes beyond the number of miles driven. Accidents can occur even to the most seasoned truckers, but there are measures you can take to minimize these risks. Simple practices like maintaining focus, eliminating distractions, and diligently checking blind spots can significantly decrease the likelihood of accidents. Maintain your truck rigorously, practice safe defensive driving habits, and observe your insurance premiums remain on the lower end.

4. Weighty Choices: Raise Your Deductible In the quest to reduce your insurance premiums, consider this counterintuitive approach: increase your deductible. Your deductible is the amount you agree to pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. Opting for a higher deductible and a lower premium can lead to long-term savings. However, there's a caveat: if you need to file a claim, you'll be responsible for a larger upfront payment. Therefore, combine this approach with robust risk management to minimize the likelihood of claim situations.

5. Don't Settle: Obtain Multiple Quotes While you may believe that your current cargo insurance is the best available, why settle for what you think when you can have certainty? Don't allow the process of obtaining insurance quotes to discourage you from potentially enjoying substantial savings. Reach out to your trusted agent and request quotes from A-rated carriers. Consider consulting with an industry expert who possesses decades of experience in insuring truckers. Their insights can assist you in deciphering the fine print and ensuring that you secure the most suitable coverage for your unique requirements.

Mastering the intricacies of cargo insurance need not be an intimidating endeavor. With these five strategies, you can effectively reduce your insurance costs while enhancing your coverage. Remember, it's not just about saving money; it's also about safeguarding your cargo and your financial bottom line. Reach out to AssuredPartners Transportation for expert guidance in obtaining the best possible coverage at competitive rates. Your cargo deserves nothing less!

AssuredPartners Announces Retirement of Longtime Executive

ORLANDO – AssuredPartners (“AP”), , announced Steve Deal, Executive Vice President & Director of Carrier Relationships, will retire after a nearly 50-year career in insurance. His last day will be June 30, 2024.

Steve joined AP in 2013 as Executive Vice President and Director of Sales when the company was newly established with only a few hundred employees and five Profit Centers. He quickly became the face of the organization in all matters related to Insurance Carriers. As AP achieved extraordinary success and growth, Steve also served as Eastern Regions President and Chief Marketing Officer, during a period where he helped lay the foundation for the company to grow where it is today – the 11th largest broker with more than 10,000 employees in 40 states and four countries. As he coordinated the company’s sales celebration and leadership meeting events, he maintained a constant connectivity with the field. Another lasting achievement Steve leaves behind as his legacy is the creation of the Producer Mentorship program which has helped emerging producers learn how to succeed and advance their careers with AP.

“It’s absolutely astounding to think back on where we were as a small little entity and see where we are today – a company with offices in 40 states and now an international presence,” Deal said. “It’s just amazing when you think about it.”

“Steve Deal has been a visionary leader not just with the AP team but has also been an asset in the insurance industry,” said Randy Larsen, CEO of AssuredPartners. “He started his career in 1976 and made a name for himself as a highly reputable producer who valued forming good relationships with clients with his ‘people-first’ approach. He joined our organization when it was just starting which meant it wasn’t easy, but Steve’s innovative ideas quickly helped the company on its path to growth. At AP we believe in ‘power through partnership’ and it resonates because Steve embodies that philosophy.”

With Steve’s retirement, Howard Weiss will take over as EVP of Carrier Relationships at AP. Howard has previously performed as an underwriter, a commercial lines producer, and was Agency President when he joined AP through a large acquisition in 2019. Since then, he has served as a Regional Sales Leader in the Great Lakes region working closely with all AP Regions, Senior Leaders, and trading partners. Howard will be taking on Steve’s role with his mentorship and support effective July 1, 2024. In his new role, Howard will be reporting to Ty Beba, the Chief Revenue Officer for AP.

“I am honored to have learned from Steve and look forward to continuing the success he built,” said Weiss. “What made him so genuinely appealing to markets was his people-first approach. Steve has a gift for developing tremendous relationships with people and has helped us build deep relationships with critical partners we didn’t have on the national level.”

“AssuredPartners is a stronger, more capable organization as reflected by the tremendous growth we’ve seen over the past several years, and Steve was a big part of that effort,” said Ty Beba, Chief Revenue Officer. “We look at the impact that carrier relationships have on our business and aim to continue scaling those national efforts to regional carriers to drive growth. We will miss having Steve as a leader but wish him and his family all the best in his retirement.”

At this year’s annual sales celebration, AP recognized Steve Deal’s extraordinary contributions by announcing the creation of a new award. “The Big Deal” will honor Steve’s legacy and will recognize the outstanding efforts of a top performing producer each year.

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