CORE INSURANCE, RISK MANAGEMENT
PRnewswire | April 13, 2023
Vouch, the insurance of tech, today announced its first embedded insurance API partnership with StartupOS, the platform that helps founders grow their startups with essential tools, expert guidance, and a community of mentors, investors, and partners. StartupOS users can now get quotes for General Liability and Business Property insurance coverages from Vouch directly from the StartupOS platform. Additionally, the platform will host free risk management training modules from Vouch that are designed specifically for early-stage founders. The partnership underscores both companies' commitment to serving early-stage founders and to helping them protect their companies from the beginning.
"Two-thirds of founders get business insurance at company formation, but zero percent of first-time founders do. When it comes to insurance, there's both an awareness and a trust gap that leaves many early-stage startups under-covered and vulnerable," said Travis Hedge, Co-founder and CRO, Vouch. "With embedded insurance from Vouch, companies on the StartupOS platform can work directly within the platform they already use to get educated on the coverages that are essential to their business, get quotes, and work with Vouch to seamlessly complete the process of purchasing insurance."
Vouch's API allows partners like StartupOS to take advantage of Vouch's core underwriting functionality through an integration that is easy to implement and maintain. The API allows partners to offer materially better experiences to their users so that buying insurance feels like a native part of their platform.
"We're thrilled to partner with Vouch to provide business insurance training and insurance products directly through our platform," said Jeff Wagner, Chief Platform Officer at StartupOS. "Through our collaboration and API integration, we are ensuring that our startups have access to the best insurance products tailored to their needs. This partnership is a significant step forward in our commitment to providing startup founders with the most innovative and comprehensive solutions to support their growth. We are excited about the value this will bring to our founders and look forward to a successful partnership with Vouch."
About Vouch
Vouch is a US-based provider of business insurance to thousands of high-growth companies that has raised $160 million from top-tier Silicon Valley institutions and investors including Ribbit Capital, Redpoint Ventures, Y Combinator, and Index Ventures. Since its inception in 2018, the company has empowered clients to get risk management right through niche expertise, a proprietary approach to pricing and underwriting, fast, digital-first procurement and coverages that scale as the company grows.
As 'The Insurance of Tech', Vouch believes it's their responsibility to deliver effective and affordable insurance solutions to innovators in emerging categories. These entrepreneurs are making huge bets on the future, and it's Vouch's job to insure away the risks that are incidental to their vision. Today that means launching protection for Web3. Tomorrow, it could be Climate, or Space. Wherever the next generation of founders goes, Vouch will be there to protect them.
About StartupOS
StartupOS is a platform that elevates startups with essential tools, expert guidance, and a supportive community of mentors, investors, and partners to help founders grow their startup. The platform aims to increase the overall number, confidence, and probability of long-term success for all founders, regardless of their background.
StartupOS offers a series of learn-by-doing activities to equip founders with all the resources and knowledge they need to build their startup from the ground up, making it the perfect platform for validating ideas, building an MVP, achieving product market fit, and pitching to investors. Paired with a vast community of mentors and investors, StartupOS provides access to invaluable startup knowledge and resources that are essential to every founder's journey. The platform also offers access to an extensive Partner Ecosystem loaded with top-tier solutions and services to streamline and simplify a founder's back-office operational needs.
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CORE INSURANCE, INSURANCE TECHNOLOGY
PRnewswire | May 10, 2023
Confie, the largest personal lines insurance distribution company in the U.S., announces the acquisition of Estrella Insurance to its non-standard national brand Freeway Insurance. Confie's latest acquisition significantly expands its footprint in Florida and their franchise division.
Estrella Insurance operates more than 190 locations across Florida, California, Arizona, Texas, and Colorado. For over 40 years, they have provided affordable insurance solutions and exceptional service to their customers. Their product portfolio includes auto, home, commercial, business, life, and health. Estrella will continue to operate under its current brand, and Confie will retain all current employees with their acquisition.
"Estrella has built a strong franchising model well-known among Hispanic consumers, and business owners alike. We are excited to welcome them into our ever-growing family," said Cesar Soriano, Confie CEO. "Franchising allows us to broaden our customer reach, and accelerate our growth into new markets. Americans are entrepreneurial by nature and we proudly will offer them the choice between three trustworthy brands."
In 2022, Freeway Insurance introduced franchising opportunities to entrepreneurs. With more than 530 retail stores nationwide, business owners get access to the company's established business model, respected brand, a wide range of national and regional insurance carriers, and back-office resources. Shortly after, Confie acquired Velox Insurance in December 2021. Velox primarily offers franchising to business owners in the Georgia market.
"Our franchise partners are family, and their success is our success. It was important to find the right partner that would support both our brand, customers, and our growth plan," said Nick Estrella Jr., Estrella's CEO. "Confie is a highly respected organization with years of industry knowledge and forward momentum. It was a perfect fit for Estrella."
In addition to its acquisitions, Confie recently announced the expansion of its business process outsourcing division (BPO) with the launch of a new service center in Tijuana, being ranked #1 Personal Lines Leader by Insurance Journal for a seventh straight year and the expansion of their InsureOne brand by way of an agency network for independent insurance agents.
"Confie's expansion plans rely on strategic acquisitions and we welcome that challenge," said Chad Maxwell, SVP, mergers & acquisitions, Confie. "Identifying places where we can strengthen our presence helps us accomplish growth and development, and we are actively seeking great partners to join the Confie family."
About Confie
Established in 2008, Confie is the nation's leading personal lines insurance distribution company. Today, Confie meets customers wherever they are – with more than 750+ retail locations in 23 states, the Bluefire general agency, and a telephone and online shared service center servicing all 50 states. With flexible insurance options, outstanding value, and convenient service, Confie's aspiration is to be the most trusted source of insurance solutions so our customers can have peace of mind. Confie is a portfolio company of Alliant. For more information about Confie, visit www.confie.com.
About Freeway Insurance
Established in 1987, Freeway offers insurance policies via a "click, call, or come-in" approach that provides customers coverage throughout the United States. The company is constantly researching, growing and diversifying product offerings to stay responsive to the ever-evolving insurance market. Freeway offers a wide range of plans, from the most basic to premium plans, in auto, truck, commercial vehicle, fire, flood, homeowners, renters, small commercial, motorcycle, and recreational vehicle insurance products. In 2008, Freeway Insurance joined Confie, the leading national personal lines insurance distribution company. Today, Freeway Insurance services customers in more than 500 offices. Freeway consumers access Freeway Insurance through neighborhood Freeway offices, as well as by visiting www.freewayinsurance.com or by calling (800) 777-5620.
About Estrella Insurance
Miami-based Estrella Insurance is a property and casualty insurance franchisor and a trusted leader among consumers and insurance companies by providing simple, cost-effective insurance solutions across its auto, home, commercial, business, life, and health insurance portfolios. With more than 190 offices across the U.S., it is consistently ranked as a top franchise opportunity with a proven business model that allows owners to focus directly on customer support and community engagement. For more information about Estrella Insurance, visit www.estrellainsurance.com.
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CORE INSURANCE, RISK MANAGEMENT
Inszone Insurance Services | March 15, 2023
On March 14, 2023, Inszone Insurance Services, a rapidly expanding national provider of benefits, personal, and commercial lines insurance, informed that the company has acquired Jack E. Gilbert Insurance Agency, Inc. This acquisition is poised to enhance the capabilities of Inszone Insurance Services and is a strategic step in the company's growth trajectory.
Headquartered in San Jose, Jack E. Gilbert Insurance Agency, Inc. has been catering to clients in California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Texas, and Washington since 1980. Over the years, the agency has gained immense popularity for its comprehensive range of insurance programs, which include specialized programs for transportation, trucking and towing, and worker's compensation.
Chris Walters, CEO of Inszone Insurance Services, stated, "Jack E. Gilbert Insurance Agency has a long-standing reputation for providing exceptional customer service to its clients."
He added, "We are excited to welcome their team of insurance professionals to the Inszone Insurance family, as we continue to expand our presence in California and beyond."
(Source – Business Wire)
The acquisition of Jack E. Gilbert Insurance Agency, Inc. will provide Inszone Insurance Services with access to the agency's extensive expertise and client base. This strategic move aims to strengthen the capabilities of Inszone Insurance Services and enable the company to offer top-notch insurance services to its clients while also expanding its market reach.
The team at Jack E. Gilbert Insurance Agency will continue to operate under the Inszone Insurance brand, maintaining the same level of customer care and service that their clients have come to expect. This acquisition represents a crucial step in Inszone Insurance's growth strategy, as the company aims to expand its national footprint and further cement its position as a leading insurance provider in the United States.
About Inszone Insurance Services
Inszone Insurance Services, founded in 2002 and headquartered in Sacramento (California), is a full-service insurance brokerage firm that provides a comprehensive range of property & casualty insurance, along with employee benefits solutions. With an experienced and dynamic management team, the company continues to grow both organically as well as through strategic acquisitions. It presently has 40 locations spread across California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, Oregon, Texas, and Illinois and is poised to expand its presence throughout the United States.
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