EPIC Insurance Welcomes USI Affinity to its Family

Customers of USI Affinity Rental Specialties can now benefit from an even broader array of insurance, risk management and employee benefits services, as the property and casualty brokerage firm has joined the family of EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants.

"This merger gives USI's existing Rental Equipment Insurance customers greater access to leading edge products and services, as well as increased control over their risk management challenges," said Jim Bankson, program leader for EPIC’s Program Solutions, who is based in Irvine. "Our focus is to be the ‘best-in-class’ risk partner within the rental equipment industry — an industry we have been involved with for over 35 years."

San Francisco-based EPIC is a full-service brokerage and consulting firm that offers all lines of insurance products to the rental industry, including property and casualty coverage, umbrella and excess liability, specialty P&C services, financial services and executive liability protection, workers’ compensation, risk management and risk control services, claims management, transportation and logistics control, and employee benefits brokerage and consulting services, including payroll administration, and management of 401(k) plans and other retirement solutions.

EPIC bought USI Affinity Rental Specialties from USI Affinity in Philadelphia, a division of USI Holdings Corp. in Valhalla, New York. The deal closed in December.

In July, 2014, EPIC acquired Concord, California-based Jenkins Insurance Services from the Levitt Group, making it the endorsed insurance broker program for the California Rental Association for over 30 years.

"We are proud of our long history with the CRA and we look forward to continued partnerships and success, and this merger is going to help with this endeavor moving forward," Bankson said.

With 29 locations across 12 states, EPIC now has nationwide presence and currently ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the U.S. and one of the top 50 brokers in the world. EPIC has also been a longtime fixture on the insurance industry’s "Best Places to Work" lists.

Since its founding in 2007, EPIC has grown revenue from $12 million to an estimated run rate of $200 million through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, and the firm’s strategic partners include private equity firm The Carlyle Group.

On its website, EPIC states that its acquisition model is unique in that: 

• The company is building a national footprint with global resources, delivered locally by trusted advisors and partners;

• EPIC is a super-regional/national alternative to the large global brokers;

• The firm has a geographic positioning rather than a consolidation/dependence model;

• The firm is building mutual success through trust, respect and partnership;

• The owners/executives of acquired regional platforms have direct and active involvement in leadership;

• EPIC’s national growth creates opportunity for committed, entrepreneurial partners.