Aon to Buy USI Insurance Services for $17 Billion
Aon has agreed to buy USI Insurance Services in a move to enhance its presence in the growing U.S. middle-market segment.
Aon has agreed to buy USI Insurance Services in a move to enhance its presence in the growing U.S. middle-market segment.
Despite expectations that the independent insurance agency mergers & acquisitions market will cool, the pool of buyers is broadening. Here’s why agency M&A remains attractive.
Agency mergers & acquisitions activity was down 15% in the first half of 2026, signaling a more disciplined environment. However, appetite for high-quality acquisitions remains high.
May brought news of moderating pressures in the long-suffering personal lines space, with early signs that increases in reconstruction costs and personal auto premium hikes may be beginning to slow.
While some recent trends have influenced the mergers & acquisitions marketplace, it certainly hasn’t been interrupted.
Agency mergers & acquisitions activity slowed to 148 deals in the first quarter of 2026, according to OPTIS Partners, who believe the decline is bottoming out.
Whether you decide to perpetuate internally, foster a funded business handoff to your successors, or go with an external sale, one thing is certain: There are several key steps you’ll need to take to maximize your agency’s value.
“Once I realized the magnitude of the opportunity I had to carry on the legacy, to carry on that opportunity of helping generations of families and businesses, it became more than just a job for me,” says Robert Strachan.
Integrating another agency into your operations presents both tremendous opportunities and significant challenges for employees and management alike.
For agency owners contemplating perpetuation, a sale or simply benchmarking their business value, understanding the four trends is critical for business planning.