
America's top insurance specialists are a force to be reckoned with. They have a proven track record of delivering exceptional results for their clients.
These specialists have a deep understanding of the industry and are well-versed in the latest trends and regulations. They are able to navigate complex insurance products and policies with ease.
Their expertise is not limited to a single area of insurance, but rather encompasses a broad range of specialties. This allows them to provide comprehensive solutions for their clients' unique needs.
From property and casualty insurance to life and health insurance, these specialists have seen it all. They are able to draw on their extensive experience to develop tailored insurance plans that meet their clients' specific requirements.
Expertise and Recognition
Insurance Business America Magazine recognizes exceptional specialist brokers through its annual nomination process.
These brokers are chosen based on their knowledge and history of helping retail agents get the coverage they need.
Their success requires expertise, dedication to the retail agent customers, and the ability to perceive and anticipate current and future risks.
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Sharing Specialist Expertise
Sharing Specialist Expertise is crucial in the insurance industry. Top specialist brokers, like Eric Richter, president and CEO of Western Pacific Insurance Network, take the time to educate clients on the right coverage for their construction needs.
Richter conducts Continuing Education (CE) classes on the state of construction in Colorado, facilitates seminars for the Colorado Home Builders Association, and acts as a resource and guide for independent agents across the state.
To provide thoughtful and holistic risk assessments, Richter plans out detailed case studies. He emphasizes the importance of being the best possible resource for all channel partners.
Here are some ways specialist brokers share their expertise:
- Conducting Continuing Education (CE) classes
- Facilitating seminars for industry associations
- Acting as a resource and guide for independent agents
Anthony Manna, senior vice president of financial lines at Jencap, collaborates with clients to provide best-in-class solutions. He recognizes the importance of understanding the risk and presenting tailored packages to brokers.
Innovative approaches to communication are also key. Cyber specialist Green implemented a new way of communicating with clients and team members, ensuring everyone hears the same message. This is especially important in the rapidly growing cyber market space, set to grow at 18 percent annually until 2028.
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Mike Smith Named IBA Specialist Broker

Mike Smith, the CEO of Axis Insurance Services, was recognized as a Top Specialist Broker by Insurance Business America (IBA) in their January 2020 issue. He was highlighted for his expertise in Financial Institutions, Insurance Brokers, Commercial Real Estate, and Managed Care Organizations.
Mike's achievement is a testament to the importance of specializing in a particular area of expertise. To become a top specialist broker, one must have a deep understanding of the complexities involved in securing coverage for specialty clients and hard-to-place risks. This requires dedication, hard work, and a commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest developments in the industry.
Mike's background as a former CPA has proven to be a valuable asset in his career as an insurance expert. His analytical skills have enabled him to identify the needs of his clients and provide them with tailored solutions. This approach has earned him a reputation as a trusted advisor and a go-to expert in his field.
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Here are some key facts about Mike Smith's recognition as a Top Specialist Broker:
- He was featured in IBA magazine in January 2020.
- He was recognized for his expertise in four specific areas: Financial Institutions, Insurance Brokers, Commercial Real Estate, and Managed Care Organizations.
- He was one of 47 market experts featured in the article.
Mike's success is a reminder that specializing in a particular area of expertise can lead to great recognition and rewards. By focusing on a specific niche, insurance professionals can build a reputation as trusted advisors and establish themselves as go-to experts in their field.
Industry Leadership
Industry leaders like Eric Richter, president and CEO of Western Pacific Insurance Network, are passionate about ensuring clients get the right coverage for their construction needs. He conducts Continuing Education (CE) classes on the state of construction in Colorado and facilitates seminars for the Colorado Home Builders Association.
Top Specialist Broker Anthony Manna, senior vice president of financial lines at Jencap, collaborates with clients to provide best-in-class solutions. He finds competitive terms for clients, places tough risks, and understands their exposure and coverage needs.
Brown & Riding has been recognized as one of the "Best Places to Work in Insurance" for the fifth year in a row. They have also been named a "Top Insurance Workplace" by Insurance Business America (IBA) and a "Top Insurance Employer" in 2021.
Here are some of the key characteristics of top specialist brokers:
- Conduct Continuing Education (CE) classes and seminars for clients
- Collaborate with clients to provide best-in-class solutions
- Understand client needs and provide tailored coverage
- Communicate effectively with clients and team members
- Focus on education and transparency
Experts in Fields
Experts in their fields are making a significant impact in the industry. They're passionate about providing the best possible solutions for their clients.
Eric Richter, president and CEO of Western Pacific Insurance Network, conducts Continuing Education (CE) classes on the state of construction in Colorado, facilitating seminars for the Colorado Home Builders Association, and acts as a resource and guide for independent agents across the state.
To be a top specialist broker, you need to be an expert in a niche market, as Steve Love, founder and CEO of SolePro, emphasizes. His company creates platforms for workers' compensation accounts, enabling application submissions, signing, binding, service, and renewal in one central place online.
Richter's approach to risk assessments is holistic and thoughtful, providing detailed case studies to clients. Similarly, Lindsay Dress, executive vice president at RT Specialty – Dallas, structures her team to include brokers specializing in niches, keeping them up-to-date with trends and appetites of their trading partners.
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A top specialist wholesale broker should be an expert in a niche market, as Rikki Concannon, area vice president for Ascinsure Specialty Risk, agrees. She emphasizes the need to build a network to thrive as a specialist, leveraging their customer relationship management platform to find prospective agencies and target audiences.
Here are some ways top specialist brokers are excelling in their fields:
- Conducting Continuing Education (CE) classes and seminars to educate clients and agents
- Providing holistic and thoughtful risk assessments through detailed case studies
- Building a network of relationships and targeting the right audience to thrive as a specialist
- Offering bespoke approaches to solve unique client needs
- Staying up-to-date with trends and appetites of their trading partners
Best Workplaces 2022
Brown & Riding has been consistently recognized as one of the top workplaces in the insurance industry. They've been named a 2022 Top Insurance Employer by Insurance Business America (IBA), a title they've also held in previous years.
In fact, Brown & Riding has been recognized as one of the "Best Places to Work in Insurance" for the fifth year in a row by Business Insurance and Best Companies Group. This achievement is a testament to their commitment to creating a positive and supportive work environment.
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Brown & Riding's dedication to excellence has earned them numerous awards and accolades. Here's a breakdown of their recognition:
Five-Star Wholesale Broker
Brown & Riding has been recognized as a "Five-Star Wholesale Broker" by Insurance Business America (IBA) in every category.
They first received this honor in 2018, when retailers identified them as a top broker in a survey conducted by IBA.
In 2020, Brown & Riding was once again named a "Five-Star Wholesale Broker" by IBA, demonstrating their consistent excellence in the industry.
This recognition is a testament to their commitment to providing top-notch service to their clients and partners.
Brown & Riding's focus on transparency and communication with their trading partners has allowed them to build strong relationships and stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing market.
Their dedication to excellence has earned them this prestigious award, and we can expect to see them continue to thrive in the industry.
By prioritizing transparency and communication, Brown & Riding has been able to differentiate themselves from their competitors and provide a unique value proposition to their clients.
Best Places to Work 2018
The Best Places to Work 2018 list was dominated by tech companies, with Google taking the top spot.
Google's innovative culture and perks like free meals and on-site gyms helped it stand out from the competition.
The company's emphasis on work-life balance and employee well-being also contributed to its success.
Google's diverse workforce and commitment to diversity and inclusion were also key factors in its ranking.
The Best Places to Work 2018 list was compiled by Fortune magazine based on feedback from employees.
Fortune partnered with Great Place to Work to survey over 5 million employees across 7,500 companies.
The survey asked employees about their experiences and perceptions of their workplaces.
The results showed that Google had the highest percentage of employees who felt their company was a great place to work.
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Problem Solving and Trust
Nick Carozza, an area senior vice president of risk placement services, has successfully built a book of nearly $50 million in executive liability premium by solving industry challenges. He educates agents on complex technical matters, allowing them to confidently recommend coverage to their clients.
Carozza's approach to problem-solving involves educating agents and brokers on cyber risk and market responses through panel discussions and industry events. This helps improve his team's expertise and provides valuable insights.
To establish trust with clients, Manna, a wholesale broker, meets with agents and clients to ensure they receive the advice they need to mitigate risks. He also attends seminars and stays on top of daily developments in his field.
Here are some strategies used by top specialists to build trust and solve problems:
- Education and explanation of complex technical matters
- Attending industry events and seminars to stay informed
- Maintaining relationships with carrier, wholesale, and retail market leaders
Employers 2021
Brown & Riding has been recognized for its exceptional work environment, earning them a spot as one of the Top Insurance Employers of 2021 by Insurance Business America.
They've also been named one of the "Best Places to Work in Insurance" for the fourth consecutive year, a testament to their commitment to creating a positive and productive work atmosphere.
This achievement is a result of their dedication to their employees, who are the backbone of any successful organization.
Brown & Riding has been recognized for its exceptional work environment, earning them a spot as one of the Top Insurance Employers of 2021 by Insurance Business America.
Their employees are the reason behind their success, and it's great to see them being recognized for their efforts.
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Problem Solving
Nick Carozza, area senior vice president of risk placement services, has built a growing book of nearly $50 million in executive liability premium by solving industry challenges.
Comparative raters coupled with drastically reduced cyber rates in 2023 left many retail agents with options they didn't know how to decipher, leading to detrimental impacts on insureds.
Carozza educates agents on highly technical matters in a way that's easy to understand, allowing agents to confidently recommend the most appropriate coverage for their clients.
Cyber insurers offer a wide array of disparate risk management services for insureds, but take-up rates are often low, leaving these value-added resources untapped.
Carozza participates in panel discussions to educate agents and brokers on the complexities of cyber risk and how the market is responding, and attends local, regional, and national insurance industry events to gather input from agents and their insureds.
By educating and explaining the differences between products, Carozza's team was able to retain about 98 percent of their cyber business, even in a soft market.
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Here are some key takeaways from Carozza's approach to problem solving:
- Education is key: Carozza educates agents on technical matters to help them make informed decisions.
- Value-added services: Cyber insurers offer a range of risk management services, but take-up rates are often low.
- Staying informed: Carozza attends industry events to gather input from agents and their insureds.
Establishing Trust
Establishing trust is crucial in building strong relationships with clients and colleagues. It's about being reliable, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring about the people you work with.
Green, a successful producer, goes the extra mile to meet with agents and their clients, ensuring both parties receive the advice they need to mitigate risks. This shows that she truly cares about her work and wants to see her clients succeed.
Manna, another top producer, emphasizes the importance of understanding insurance and asking the right questions. He notes that it's not the client's job to understand insurance, but rather the broker's responsibility to guide them.
To establish trust, it's essential to stay on top of daily developments in your field. Manna attends seminars year-round to stay informed and maintain relationships with carrier, wholesale, and retail market leaders.
Here are some strategies for establishing trust:
- Attend seminars and workshops to stay up-to-date on industry developments
- Maintain relationships with key industry leaders
By following these strategies, you can build trust with your clients and colleagues, and establish yourself as a reliable and knowledgeable expert in your field.
Methodology
Nominators were asked to describe their nominee's standout professional achievements over the past 12 months. This information was crucial in understanding the nominees' contributions to the industry.
The IBA team reviewed all nominations to narrow down the list to the final 35 Top Specialist Brokers. This thorough examination ensured that only the most deserving individuals made it to the final list.
Nominators also highlighted their nominee's contributions to the financial success of clients and business partners in 2023. This emphasis on financial success demonstrates the importance of trust and problem-solving in business partnerships.
The IBA team examined how each individual had made a meaningful contribution to the industry. By doing so, they were able to identify the most impactful and innovative problem solvers in the field.
Methodology and Team
The IBA team reviewed all nominations to narrow down the list to the final 35 Top Specialist Brokers. This rigorous process ensured that only the most deserving individuals made the cut.
To be considered, nominators described their nominee's standout professional achievements over the past 12 months, highlighting their contributions to the financial success of clients and business partners in 2023.
The team examined how each individual had made a meaningful contribution to the industry, taking into account their professional achievements and financial impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most successful insurance broker?
Marsh McLennan is the world's largest insurance broker, offering a comprehensive suite of risk management and insurance services. Established in 1871, the company has a reputation for innovation and thought leadership in the industry.
Which insurance broker pays the most?
MetLife is one of the top-paying insurance companies, with insurance agents earning an average annual salary of $78,000 to $94,000. For those interested in a lucrative career in insurance, MetLife offers a range of job opportunities.
Sources
- https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/best-insurance/the-top-specialist-wholesale-insurance-brokers-in-the-usa-478176.aspx
- https://www.monarchexcess.com/category/blog/
- https://blog.plrisk.com/mike-smith-named-top-specialist-broker-in-iba-magazine
- https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/best-insurance/top-specialist-wholesale-brokers-2023-436973.aspx
- https://www.brownandriding.com/awards/
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