IBA South: Higginbotham merges with IAS to boost Texas operations

Merger is the sixth for company in 2016, which will increase its ranks to 900 professionals

Insurance News

By Allie Sanchez

Fort Worth insurer Higginbotham and Insurance Associates recently announced the undertaking of its sixth merger of the year – this time with independent broker IAS.

Higginbotham, which started Houston operations in 2008, is the largest Texas based independent insurer based on revenue.

PR Newswire said in a report that the Higginbotham mergers are part of the firm’s growth strategy across Texas. By partnering with firms that enjoy a strong local presence, the company achieves geographic footprint expansion while maintaining capability to deliver personalized services.

“Houston’s economy is lively, and its businesses need an insurance advisor that can meet their evolving needs,” Higginbotham’s Houston managing directors Koby Hackradt and Dudley Ray said in a joint statement, according to the wire service.

“Through partnerships like IAS that strengthen our capabilities, we have the capacity and talent to offer a local solution for everything involving risk management.”

Meanwhile, IAS president and chief operating officer Jim Kottwitz noted: “We’re committed to building long-term relationships with our clients, so we need to keep evolving with the insurance landscape. Clients today need more help navigating regulations and controlling costs. Joining Higginbotham lets us fill that role by tapping into its vast resources and keeping service in-house.” 

IAS employs 38 commercial, personal, life, health, and employee benefit professionals, which will boost Higginbotham’s ranks to 160 in Houston, and more than 900 statewide.

 

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