Seven insurance deals add scale across benefits, brokerage and surety

By Grace Kim

The Hartford said it had completed its purchase of Equitable’s employee benefits business, bringing in about $500 million in non-medical benefits premium. The deal supports the insurer’s push into the small and midsized employer segment and adds Equitable’s employee benefits technology.

About 300 employees also come with the transaction. The acquired portfolio includes:

• Group life and disability coverage.
• Paid family and medical leave.
• Supplemental health, dental and vision coverage.

The purchase gives The Hartford more premium, technology and staff for its small-business expansion.

What will EC-Council add through Cyber Insurance Academy?

EC-Council, a cybersecurity training and certification organization, said it had acquired Cyber Insurance Academy, the credentialing body for the cyber and AI insurance industries.

Cyber Insurance Academy will continue operating under its existing brand and leadership as an EC-Council company. Co-founder Guy Simkin will remain CEO, while co-founder Asaf Armoni will continue as chief technology and operating officer.

EC-Council said the Academy would keep cyber insurance at its center while expanding into:

• AI risk.
• Emerging technology risk.
• Role-based technology education.

The acquisition gives EC-Council a credentialing platform with room to extend beyond cyber coverage.

How does Alliant expand in New England?

Alliant Insurance Services, a California-based specialty insurance broker, said it had expanded its New England presence by acquiring Melcher & Prescott in Laconia, New Hampshire. Melcher & Prescott will operate as Alliant Insurance Services.

Founded in 1862, Melcher & Prescott provides commercial insurance, employee benefits, and personal life and health insurance to businesses and individuals across New England and surrounding areas.

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Alliant offers insurance, risk management, reinsurance and employee benefits as a national broker.

The Melcher & Prescott deal is Alliant’s first acquisition in New Hampshire. Alliant now has a New England foothold through a firm founded in 1862.

What does Novatae gain in long-haul trucking?

Novatae Risk Group, the wholesale division of World Insurance Associates, said it acquired Specialized Program Solutions (SPS), a managing general agency in Chester, New Jersey.

Founded in 2022, SPS specializes in underwriting, marketing and program administration for long-haul trucking risks throughout the United States. Terms of the Aug. 1 transaction were not disclosed.

Based in Iselin, New Jersey, Novatae is a specialty insurance brokerage, managing general agency and program manager. It provides brokers and clients with insurance products and services for complex and hard-to-place risks across:

• Property, casualty and workers’ compensation.
• Cyber, professional and management risks.
• Construction, environmental and garage risks.
• Inland marine and ocean marine risks.

The deal adds a U.S. long-haul trucking platform to Novatae, with the purchase price still undisclosed.

What does CopperPoint add through General Indemnity?

CopperPoint Insurance Co., a workers’ compensation and commercial insurance provider based in Phoenix, Arizona, said it acquired Boston-based General Indemnity Group (GIG).

The sale includes GIG subsidiary United Casualty & Surety Insurance Co. (UCS), surety placement platform BOSS Bonds and technology platform SuretyBonds.Market.

Founded in 2015, GIG is an insurance holding company specializing in commercial and contract surety. It provides bonds that facilitate construction, commercial and public-sector projects.

GIG’s Boston office will remain the headquarters for the company’s surety operations. CopperPoint has added a bond producer along with two specialized surety platforms.

Why did Marsh buy Accel Holdings?

Marsh said it had completed its acquisition of Accel Holdings, a diversified independent insurance and advisory firm headquartered in Waverly, Iowa. Accel will operate within Marsh Agency.

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. All Accel Group colleagues have joined Marsh Agency and will continue working from their current locations.

Founded in 1936, Accel Group provides commercial and personal insurance, employee benefits and agribusiness solutions, as well as wealth management and retirement advisory services.

The acquisition adds a 1936-founded advisory practice to Marsh Agency without moving its staff.

Where would Porch expand with Allied Trust?

Seattle-based Porch Insurance Group said it had entered a definitive agreement to acquire Allied Trust’s insurance carrier and managing general agency.

Tampa-based Allied Trust is a regional insurance carrier operating in Louisiana, Texas, South Carolina and North Carolina.

Louisiana represented almost half of Allied Trust’s 2025 premiums. It would be a new state for Porch Group’s Reciprocal.

The deal would give Porch a four-state carrier, with Louisiana already accounting for almost half of its 2025 premiums.

Execution is the next test: Novatae and Marsh have not disclosed terms for their purchases, while Porch’s Allied Trust transaction remains at the definitive-agreement stage. The six completed acquisitions can now show whether their added technology, staff and market reach translate into operating growth.