Each year Insurance Journal surveys the property casualty industry for the Best Independent Insurance Agencies to Work For.

Congratulations to our 2026 winners. The full story can be found in our September 7, 2026 Magazine Issue

For web badges, plaques, and reprints, visit the Best Agencies to Work for promotions page.

Overall Winner

Higginbotham

higginbotham.com
Fort Worth, Texas

Knowing that our own people took the time to nominate us in such [high numbers] is something we're incredibly proud of. It tells us that the culture we've worked hard to build is being felt by the people who experience it every day across our entire footprint.

Rusty Reid Chairman and CEO

Read Higginbotham's Full Profile.

East

Gold Winner

Bell & Hudson Insurance

bellandhudson.com
Belchertown, Massachusetts

It feels great that our employees have gone out of their way to recognize our management team's hard work. It's nice to know that our employees feel the same way under our new ownership.

Matthew Phaneuf President and CEO

Employee Perspectives

Quotes from employee nominations

We asked our staff, "What makes a great place to work?"

Mutual respect and professionalism.

Feeling wanted, appreciated, and valued.

Teamwork; feeling safe and secure in your job; and working with people who care about their job, their customers, and their co-workers.

Read Bell & Hudson Insurance's Full Profile.

Silver Winner

Mackoul Risk Insurance Solutions

mackoul.com
Morristown, New Jersey
Bronze Winner

Evertree Insurance

evertreeinsurance.com
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Midwest

Gold Winner

The Bulow Group

thebulowgroup.com
Tinley Park, Illinois

Recognition like this means a lot more to us because it comes directly from our team. We've been fortunate to receive recognition over the years, and we're extremely proud of all of it, but having your own people say this is a great place to work is different.

Mike Bulow CEO

Read The Bulow Group's Full Profile.

Silver Winner

Shepherd Insurance

shepherdins.com
Carmel, Indiana
Bronze Winner

Robertson Ryan & Associates

robertsonryan.com
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

South Central

Gold Winner

Swingle Collins & Associates

swinglecollins.com
Dallas, Texas

I've seen a lot of workplaces from the inside throughout my career, and what struck me from my very first weeks at Swingle Collins was how much every single person here believes their voice matters, and that isn't an accident. We want the entire team to want to come to work each day.

Dan Curtis CEO

Employee Perspectives

Quotes from employee nominations

There are consistent opportunities for meaningful conversations about growth, compensation, and career advancement. It has a strong foundation of core values which is embedded into how we work, and our processes and procedures that are put in place prioritize transparency and partnership.

It is a firm built on integrity, empathy, and expertise, and that shows up in how people are treated internally.

Our leadership team is wonderful, our management team is amazing and is growing and making improvements all the time.

Read Swingle Collins & Associates's Full Profile.

Silver Winner

G&G Independent Insurance

gg-insurance.com
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Bronze Winner

BKCW

bkcw.com
Austin, Texas

Southeast

Gold Winner

Oakbridge Insurance

oakbridgeinsurance.com
Atlanta, Georgia

We wanted to meet people in their communities and build upon those relationships that local broker has, and bring more resources to the table so that they can better serve those clients without losing what I'll say is the special magic of the local independent agency.

Matt James CEO and Co-founder

Employee Perspectives

Quotes from employee nominations

Overall my experience with Oakbridge has been amazing. The team is supportive with a positive work environment.

Read Oakbridge Insurance's Full Profile.

Silver Winner

Insurance Office of America

ioausa.com
Longwood, Florida
Bronze Winner

Riemer Insurance

riemerinsurance.com
Hallandale Beach, Florida

West

Gold Winner

The Mahoney Group

mahoneygroup.com
Chandler, Arizona

The fact that employees are owners sets the drive for our culture. To be truly owned by team members is unique in our industry. It gives everyone a sense of autonomy for what they do.

Brad Rucker CEO

Read The Mahoney Group's Full Profile.

Silver Winner

Bethany Insurance Agency

bethanyins.com
San Dimas, California
Bronze Winner

Morris & Garritano

morrisgarritano.com
San Luis Obispo, California