Riemer Insurance Group wins 2026 Southeast workplace award

By Daniel Okafor

Insurance Journal named Riemer Insurance Group the Bronze Award winner for Best Agencies to Work For in the Southeast for 2026.

Insurance Journal reported that the family-owned agency employs 85 people, serves some 8,000 clients and will turn 50 in two years. Stephen Riemer founded the business in 1978.

The agency operates four offices in South Florida and one in Westchester, New York. Its headquarters are in Hallandale Beach, between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Some employees have worked at Riemer for decades.

What does the award actually measure?

Insurance Journal said most associates in its survey really like working at Riemer. Comments from producers and other staff pointed to communication with employees and support for them as key elements in the agency’s success.

Paul Riemer, the agency’s president, said: “There is no recognition that means more to me than one that comes from our own people. Awards from the industry are nice, but this one was decided by the people who show up every day and actually make Riemer what it is.”

The award followed the survey of agency associates. Employee experience therefore supplied the basis for the recognition, rather than the agency’s own description of its culture.

How does Riemer manage people and performance?

Insurance Journal identified Brian Riemer as CEO and Paul Riemer as president. Their father, Stephen Riemer, founded the company in 1978. The family retains control of the 85-person business.

One producer wrote in the Insurance Journal survey: “We complete a producer meeting monthly. This meeting is for us as team members to discuss all goals and team performance. They give advice and never criticize. They offer us the tools to run our own business.”

Paul Riemer said the agency’s operating philosophy rests on four values.

“What makes Riemer a great place to work comes down to our value system: family first, continuous improvement, loyalty, and always do the right thing.”

“Family first means exactly that. We are a family business, and we treat our employees as an extension of that family. When someone has something going on at home, home comes first, and the team steps in.”

“Continuous improvement means we invest in our people and our tools, and we expect everyone to get a little better every day. Loyalty runs both directions.”

Paul Riemer said behavior under pressure carries as much weight as stated values.

“Culture is not what you say at the holiday party. It is how you handle the tough renewal, the claim that goes sideways, or the team member who needs time away. Your team is watching how you act in those moments, and that is what they will believe about your agency.”

His practical instruction to other agency owners was direct.

“Beyond that, give your people the tools and the training to win. Nothing frustrates a good employee more than being asked to deliver great service with outdated systems and no support.”

“Invest in technology, invest in carrier relationships that give your team real options for clients, and get out of the way. People want to work somewhere they can be proud of the work, and where they can see themselves growing.”

Where does AI fit in an insurance agency?

Riemer management sees artificial intelligence as a support tool, not a way to displace staff. Insurance Journal described AI as a growing concern nationwide as layoff numbers grew across some industries.

For Riemer, the technology works more like a back-office assistant than a replacement for a service employee.

“We are not using AI to replace people. We are using it to give our people the tools they need to succeed in today’s environment. Insurance is still a relationship business.”

“Clients call us because they want someone they trust to explain a coverage form, fight for them on a claim, or find a market when nobody else can. AI does not do that. Our people do.”

Paul Riemer said Riemer uses AI to remove repetitive internal work and prevent tasks from slipping through.

“Where AI helps is in taking the grind out of the day. We use it to support our internal processes so that fewer things fall through the cracks.”

“That makes us more efficient, it lets us respond to clients faster and more thoroughly, and it frees our team to spend their time where it matters most, which is in front of and servicing our clients and carriers.”

He also warned against treating technology and employee productivity as opposing choices.

“The way we see it, the agencies that will struggle are not the ones that use AI. They are the ones whose people are stuck doing manual work while their competitors are using better tools.”

The 2026 award links Riemer’s workplace reputation to the employee-centered model described by its leaders. The next test is whether the agency can scale AI-supported workflows without weakening the communication, training and employee support behind that result.