CRC Group has continued its aggressive growth strategy with the acquisition of ARC Excess & Surplus, one of the largest specialty wholesale distributors in the US, further solidifying its presence in the high-demand professional liability and management lines market.
The deal, announced May 1, brings more than $1 billion in annual premium under the CRC umbrella and significantly enhances the scale and capabilities of the wholesaler’s ExecPro practice group. ARC will become part of CRC Specialty and continue operating under its existing leadership, including co-founder and executive chairman Christopher Cavallaro and CEO Michael Cavallaro.
“This acquisition marks a major step forward as we continue to build CRC's specialty capabilities,” said Dave Obenauer, CEO of CRC Group. “We are excited to welcome Chris, Mike, and the entire ARC team to CRC Group and look forward to the immediate impact they will have in strengthening our ExecPro practice.”
Founded in 1986, ARC has grown from a boutique professional liability shop into a national player with offices across six states and relationships with more than 250 carriers. The firm is widely recognized for its strong presence in management liability, cyber, and financial institutions business.
The acquisition not only strengthens CRC’s position in these verticals but also broadens its geographic reach in key regions such as the Northeast and Southeast.
The move is the latest in a string of acquisitions by CRC Group as it continues to scale its specialty distribution platform. In December 2024, CRC snapped up SLB Insurance Group to bolster its binding authority operations in the Southeast — particularly South Florida, where SLB had a strong presence in high-volume property business. It also expanded its casualty brokerage capabilities with the acquisition of Risk Transfer Partners (RTP), a Dallas-based wholesale brokerage specializing in casualty insurance, in March.
While many of its competitors are retrenching amid softening market conditions, CRC has doubled down on M&A to diversify its offerings and deepen specialization. The addition of ARC appears aimed at shoring up CRC’s professional lines capabilities at a time when demand for D&O, E&O, and cyber insurance remains robust, particularly among middle-market and upper middle-market clients.
“Joining CRC is a tremendous opportunity for our company, employees, and clients,” said Christopher Cavallaro. “ARC and CRC share similar cultures, built on expertise, relationships, and doing right by our partners. We are excited to begin this next chapter together.”
Michael Cavallaro added: “CRC's national scale, technology-driven platform, and commitment to excellence align perfectly with our vision for ARC. Together, we will be able to offer even greater value, broader market access, and innovative solutions to our clients while maintaining the high level of service they expect.”
The deal continues a trend of consolidation in the wholesale distribution space, as brokers and MGAs aim to combine scale with deep specialization in high-margin lines.
