Insurance Agency M&A Slows as Buyers Become More Selective
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.
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.
For some, it is the best of times; for others, it is the worst of times. Here are the factors that influence your opportunities.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
Agency mergers & acquisitions activity slowed to 695 deals in 2025, according to OPTIS Partners, with the number of buyers continuing to fall since 2021.