Inszone Insurance Services has acquired Coriano & Riesop Insurance, LLC, known commercially as Coriano Insurance Agency, in a deal that extends the national broker's Southwest presence and reinforces its position among the most active acquirers in the US broker market.
The Phoenix-based agency was founded in 2017 by Chris and Emily Coriano. It scaled to more than US$9 million in premiums within a few years, supported by organic referrals and high consumer ratings rather than paid marketing.
Inszone, which operates across commercial, personal and benefits lines, did not disclose financial terms. The acquisition adds Coriano's team to Inszone's expanding Arizona footprint, which now sits within a 22-state operating network, per company disclosures.
According to the founders, the agency's growth strategy centered on employee investment over marketing spend, with the view that staff retention would translate into client retention. That approach generated a loyal client base and top-tier Google ratings.
Chris Coriano said succession planning drove the decision to sell, with the priority placed on a buyer that would safeguard the workforce. He noted the founders had evaluated several brokerages before selecting Inszone.
"We had spoken to several other brokerages, but Inszone stood out," Coriano said. "It was crucial for us to find a partner who would take care of our staff and provide the infrastructure needed for their continued success."
Inszone CEO Chris Walters said the Coriano team's rapid build-out and online reputation aligned with the acquirer's operating values, pointing to the founders' commitment to staff as a defining feature of the agency.
"Chris and Emily have built an incredible agency from the ground up in a very short amount of time," Walters said.
Industry analysis ranks Inszone among the top three most active US broker buyers in 2025, alongside BroadStreet Partners and World Insurance Associates, with the trio accounting for 19.4% of 753 announced broker M&A transactions.
Data compiled by Tracxn puts Inszone's cumulative acquisitions at 137 since inception, while previously reported figures show a peak of 43 deals in 2024.
The Coriano transaction is the latest in a string of Inszone tuck-ins. On May 1, the broker acquired Mena Insurance Agency, a 115-year-old independent shop in Polk County, Arkansas.
Outgoing Mena principal P.T. Plunkett framed that deal as a cultural fit rather than a financial exit, echoing the Coriano rationale.
Meanwhile, Phoenix has consistently ranked among the fastest-growing US metros for small business job creation.
Commercial insurance specialist Vouch notes that Arizona's lack of a state FAIR Plan for commercial property routes hard-to-place risks into the excess and surplus market, while elevated wildfire exposure, broad Workers' Comp scope and a constitutional prohibition on damages caps have lifted demand for independent agency capacity.
Vouch also notes that Arizona requires licensed contractors to maintain surety bonds as a condition of licensure, creating structural demand that benefits agencies with construction-focused books in the Phoenix market.
