CORE INSURANCE,INSURANCE TECHNOLOGY
Alera Group | January 05, 2023
Alera Group, a national insurance, wealth, and retirement plan services provider, has acquired The Ascent Group and allied firms. The deal adds $1.5 billion to Alera Group Wealth Services' RIA business and $1.3 billion to Alera Group Retirement Plan Services.
The Summit Group in Virginia and Walsh & Nicholson Financial Group in Pennsylvania are connected to the Ascent Group. The Ascent Group has 42 employees, 15 of whom are financial advisors. By the end of 2022, Alera Group Wealth Services had $7.5 billion in assets, which included $1.5 billion in RIA assets and about $6 billion in AUM.
One of the most fundamental components of the Ascent Group's investment infrastructure is the turnkey asset management program (TAMP), which was created to lower the overall client expenses by bringing crucial operations in-house and eliminating vendors.
According to Alera Group, The Ascent Group is a good fit for the company's strategy of providing synergies and strategic benefits across its employee benefits and property and casualty verticals. It lets the company offer more complete solutions to clients, which can really help plan sponsors and participants come together. The organization is delighted to have the team join its expanding division in a role that will serve as a cornerstone.
Meanwhile, the terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
About Alera Group
Alera Group serves thousands of clients, offering various services such as employee benefits, P&C, wealth, and retirement plans. It merged 24 dynamic US offices. The organization blends national experience and resources with local, tailored service. It is the nation's 7th largest privately-held employee benefits firm, 15th-largest independent insurance agency, and 16th-largest privately-held insurance firm.
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CORE INSURANCE,INSURANCE TECHNOLOGY
PCF Insurance Services | December 08, 2022
PCF Insurance Services (PCF), a top 20 U.S. insurance brokerage firm, has acquired Direct Dealer Services (DDS), an automotive finance and insurance (F&I) firm providing industry-leading technologies, products, solutions and training.
DDS offers national automotive dealers, agents, and lender partners innovative F&I programs that promote employee confidence, fewer regulatory risks, and improved customer sales and satisfaction.
"Direct Dealer Services has a strong foothold in a unique market, The experience and knowledge that DDS brings will help position PCF as a leader in the F&I space and continue our geographical expansion of these product offerings."
-Peter C. Foy, Chairman, Founder and CEO of PCF Insurance
PCF Insurance has enhanced market access to national and regional carriers, providing value for its Agency Partners through a full spectrum of insurance and risk management solutions and program capabilities. Through collaboration, Agency Partners can focus on what they do best, knowing there is a support network of skilled professionals bringing forth industry knowledge and experience to provide world-class benefits design, insurance and risk management services.
We are extremely pleased to become an Agency Partner of PCF Insurance Services, We look forward to continuing working with our customers while bringing substantial new resources, exciting new products, and an unmatched level of service,said Pat Kane, Principal of Direct Dealer Services.
About Direct Dealer Services
Headquartered in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, Direct Dealer Services, Inc. (DDS) was founded in 1992 to help dealers, agents, and lender partners across the U.S. realize their maximum profit potential by providing industry-leading technologies, products, solutions and training. Every product in its portfolio complies with applicable regulatory requirements, and all are underwritten by insurance carriers rated "A-" (Excellent) or better by A.M. Best.
About PCF Insurance Services
A top 20 U.S. broker headquartered in Lehi, Utah, PCF Insurance Services is a leading full-service consultant and insurance brokerage firm offering a broad array of commercial, life and health, employee benefits and workers' compensation solutions. Propelled by its people, PCF Insurance's agency-centric operating model and entrepreneurial environment support its tremendous growth profile, offering partners alignment through equity ownership, significant leadership incentives, and resources to over 3,100 employees throughout the U.S. Ranked #20 on Business Insurance's 2022 Top 100 Brokers and #13 on Insurance Journal's 2022 Top Property/Casualty Agencies, PCF Insurance is a notable leader in the insurance space.
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CORE INSURANCE,INSURANCE TECHNOLOGY
HSB | December 07, 2022
Specialty insurer HSB today announced an agreement with IronSDN, Corp., to add app-based cyber risk management tools to HSB’s coverage for consumers and their families.
WhiteHaX® CyberSafe, developed by IronSDN, is an advanced risk verification and protection app for smartphones and other personal devices that is easy for customers to use.
The app is available to individuals insured by HSB’s Home Cyber Protection™, which is added to the homeowners policies of personal lines insurers that work with HSB.
The WhiteHaX app also will be available as part of HSB’s new personal standalone cyber insurance program, MyCyberProtection™, through HSB’s insurance affinity group and digital partners.
“With billions of connected devices in use, cybercriminals are targeting individuals more than ever before, The WhiteHaX CyberSafe app puts the power of privacy and cybersecurity in the hands of our customers, so they can keep ahead of today’s constantly changing cyber risks.”
-Jeffrey O’Shaughnessy, senior vice president of HSB, part of Munich Re
Cyber Protection at Home and Away
The WhiteHaX app analyzes the security of iOS and Android devices, including mobile phones, and tablets, with proprietary threat intelligence that is updated daily to help prevent phishing, malware, and other cyber risks.
A single user sign-up tracks the security and privacy of up to four devices in the household, with the ability to check the status of all devices at home and away with one click.
A virtual privacy network (VPN) can encrypt data to help fight cyber threats and online tracking, while on-demand Wi-Fi scans quickly assess if a public or private network is safe.
The WhiteHaX app monitors email addresses for data breaches 24/7, issues scam and security alerts, and helps users respond when their privacy is at risk.
Our WhiteHaX apps provide some of the most compelling and complete solutions to help mitigate cyber exposures, They are designed to help consumers identify cyber risks on their household personal devices and fix cyber security and privacy-related issues through step-by-step instructions,said Vimal Vaidya, chief executive officer and founder of IronSDN.
Hartford Steam Boiler (HSB)
HSB, part of Munich Re, is a multi-line specialty insurer and provider of inspection, risk management and IoT technology services. HSB insurance offerings include equipment breakdown, cyber risk, specialty liability and other coverages. HSB blends its engineering expertise, technology and data to craft inventive insurance and service solutions for existing and emerging risks posed by technological change. Throughout its 150-year history HSB’s mission has been to help clients prevent loss, advance sustainable use of energy and build deeper relationships that benefit business, public institutions and consumers. HSB holds A.M. Best Company’s highest financial rating, A++ (Superior).
Munich Re
Munich Re is one of the world’s leading providers of reinsurance, primary insurance and insurance-related risk solutions. The group consists of the reinsurance and ERGO business segments, as well as the asset management company MEAG. Munich Re is globally active and operates in all lines of the insurance business. Since it was founded in 1880, Munich Re has been known for its unrivalled risk-related expertise and its sound financial position. It offers customers financial protection when faced with exceptional levels of damage – from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake through Hurricane Ida in 2021. Munich Re possesses outstanding innovative strength, which enables it to also provide coverage for extraordinary risks such as rocket launches, renewable energies or cyber risks. The company is playing a key role in driving forward the digital transformation of the insurance industry, and in doing so has further expanded its ability to assess risks and the range of services that it offers. Its tailor-made solutions and close proximity to its customers make Munich Re one of the world’s most sought-after risk partners for businesses, institutions, and private individuals.
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