The future of independent insurance broking in the face of the apparent dominance of the largest global firms might seem like a one‑sided ‘David and Goliath’ story.

However, the ability of strong, independently owned brokerages to provide real customer‑focused services and access to expertise and understanding, points towards a much brighter future. In a world where insurance buyers are looking for more value from their brokers, those independent firms can make a real difference to companies’ attitudes and response to risk management and risk transfer.

Alliant Insurance Services is na example of how independently owned brokers are achieving growth andthriving. It first started trading in 1925 and today is in the top 10 largest brokers in the U.S. with USD1.6bn inrevenues and USD17.2bn in premiums. Building on this success it continues to focus on acquisitions and strategic growth opportunities across the country, and further afield.

The firm, headquartered in Newport Beach, California, is a leading distributor of a diverse range of insurance products and risk management services. With a national network of over 110 offices and 4000 staff, Alliant operates in all 50 of the U.S States and provides a comprehensive set of property & casualty and employee benefits products and services to clients nationally and internationally. Its teams have industry‑leading positions in sectors including agriculture, aviation, construction, public entities, tribal nations, financial institutions, healthcare, energy, law firms, real estate and other industry groups.

While it has a strong financial footing and clear appetite to grow further, the firm is always keen to stress that it is not just about financial growth and performance. At the heart of the business are its people; passionate and dedicated employees with diverse expertise and experience who all share the same guiding principles ‑ they recognise they are an extension of their clients’ businesses, they think like their clients and deliver accordingly, they build and cultivate long‑term relationships based on trust, integrity, and results and by investing in talent and sharing resources they can inspire excellence.

Growth is Crystal clear
 
Finding those individuals and potential partners who share the desire to strive and excel for their clients is important to enable Alliant’s continuing growth. One such likeminded company is New York‑based Crystal & Company which joined the Alliant family in 2018.

Established in 1933, Crystal & Company had already positioned itself as a global leader in the financial institutions space and was recognised for its best‑in‑class private client service operation. In addition, it delivered expertise in a number of industry verticals including energy, technology, real estate, hospitality, consumer products and retail. The acquisition represented an important step forward in the expansion of Alliant’s growing national footprint, its areas of expertise and its international reach.

Speaking at the time of the acquisition, Tom Corbett, Chairman and CEO of Alliant, was clear on the importance of bringing the two industry‑leading firms together. 

"Adding a national leader like Crystal & Company will add a potent combination of forward‑thinking people and best‑in‑class products and services to what is already one of the nation’s most robust insurance platforms."

He also emphasised the firms’ shared values and culture, “As two organisations that share a legacy of entrepreneurialism and specialisation, we are well‑positioned to provide the industry standard for quality and service in both existing and new verticals as we expand our reach.” A view echoed by Crystal & Company’s Chairman and CEO Jim Crystal, "Our commitment to excellence in service, expertise, and innovation fits seamlessly with Alliant." 

Building a global footprint
 
Another key area for Alliant was Crystal & Company’s international capabilities including its partnership with the global broking firm Brokerslink.

Crystal & Company was one of the early members of Brokerslink, joining in 2008, and had already played an integral role in establishing and growing the organisation’s network of independent retail brokers in over 113 countries as well as building the infrastructure, insurer partnerships and specialist services set up by Brokerslink to support the network. Leveraging this global expertise and reach would enable Alliant to develop and provide international servicing capabilities to its clients across the U.S.

Following the completion of the deal with Crystal & Company, Alliant became the Brokerslink partner in North America, a move welcomed by both parties. Jamie Crystal, Executive Vice President at Alliant and a board member of Brokerslink, is clear that there is not only a shared vision to support entrepreneurialism but also real business opportunities to be developed. He said, “Working with Brokerslink and the other network partners and affiliates, we will be able to expand the offerings available to global clients and extend our own footprint and the capabilities available to Alliant’s customer base.” The opportunities are certainly mutual with Brokerslink chairman José Manuel Fonseca heralding Alliant’s arrival in Brokerslink as a game changer for the organisation and emphasising Alliant’s strength in the US market and its position as one of the world’s largest independent brokers being able to “bring significant value to us and the brokers in our network.”

The heart of the community
 
While Alliant continues to evolve and develop, one thing has been a constant – a dedication to supporting and strengthening the communities it serves. This manifests itself in the wide range of causes the firm and its staff support but all aimed at promoting the vitality and well‑being of the people that call their communities home.

2020 marks the firm’s 95th year of trading and with such a rich heritage of independence and innovation we can expect there to be many more years of purposeful growth to come.