Your longtime insurance agent retires, and suddenly you’re talking to a call center instead of a person who knows your name. This is the reality for thousands of insurance customers as private equity firms acquire and consolidate local agencies. This shift has created a clear divide: choose between a corporate-owned agency focused on shareholder returns, or a local independent agency like The Ross Maghan Agency committed to customer service.

The Private Equity Problem

The strategy is simple: buy local agencies, cut staff, standardize service, and maximize profit. Private equity firms are treating insurance the same way they treated local pharmacies and veterinary clinics – as numbers on a spreadsheet rather than essential community services.

To put it another way, these private equity buyers “went to Harvard and they’re smart, so they’re like, ‘we’ll just fire all the employees, and then we’ll be more profitable.'” This approach raises a crucial question: What happens to customer service?

The Real Cost to Customers

The impact of private equity ownership on insurance agencies has created tangible challenges for customers. Accounts under certain premium thresholds receive minimal attention, while personal relationships are replaced by impersonal call centers. Response times increase, and individual needs are often overlooked in favor of standardized processes.

Consider this real-world example: A client with four commercial properties and $25,000 in premiums – a significant account that would receive minimal attention at a private equity-owned agency – receives comprehensive, personal service at The Ross Maghan Agency.

The Trusted Choice® Agency Advantage

Personal Attention That Makes a Difference

When you call us, a real person answers the phone. When you need help, you work with someone who knows your name and your coverage – not whatever representative happens to be available in a call center. That’s not extra service; it’s how insurance should work.

Building Long-term Relationships

Our focus extends beyond immediate transactions to building lasting partnerships. We maintain a deep understanding of local market conditions and provide consistent points of contact for our clients. This approach ensures that each client receives tailored attention and expertise that meets their specific needs.

Expert Guidance When You Need It

Our team offers:

Strategic navigation through market changes
Comprehensive understanding of coverage needs
Proactive problem-solving approaches
Deep market knowledge and strong carrier relationships

Comprehensive Insurance Solutions

Commercial Insurance

We provide comprehensive commercial coverage including property protection, liability insurance, worker’s compensation, and custom solutions for unique business needs.

Personal Insurance

Our personal insurance offerings include expert home insurance guidance, auto insurance solutions, umbrella coverage, and life and disability options tailored to individual needs.

Making the Right Choice: The Value of Independence

While private equity firms often view insurance as purely a numbers game, The Ross Maghan Agency understands that insurance is about protecting what matters most to you. Our independence enables us to:

Put customers first in every decision
Provide personalized service that larger agencies can’t match
Offer multiple carrier options to find the best fit
Respond quickly to changing needs and market conditions

Looking Forward

Private equity firms aren’t going to stop buying local agencies. But you have a choice. You can be a policy number in a corporate database, or you can work with an agency like ours where your agent knows your kids’ names and remembers to ask about that renovation project you mentioned last year.

Take Action

If your insurance agency was recently acquired, you probably already know something feels different. The good news? You don’t have to settle for automated phone systems and generic service. Contact The Ross Maghan Agency. Let’s have a real conversation about protecting what matters to you.

Your protection is our priority – let us show you the difference personal service makes.

The Corporate Takeover: How Private Equity is Reshaping Local Insurance