JERSEY CITY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SageSure, one of the largest independent managing general underwriters focused on providing catastrophe-exposed property insurance, today announced the close of a $250 million equity investment led by Amwins and Flexpoint Ford (“Flexpoint”), with participation from Ares Management Corporation.
The transaction partially recapitalizes SageSure’s long-term minority stakeholders while bringing in experienced strategic and financial investors. In connection with the transaction, Amwins and Flexpoint will each appoint a representative to the SageSure Board of Managers.
The equity investment also positions SageSure to continue its growth as the organization surpasses $1 billion of inforce premium. By deploying capital efficiently throughout its ecosystem, SageSure’s strategy supports its carrier partners and producers by creating additional underwriting capacity in an otherwise challenging environment for catastrophe-exposed property risk.
“SageSure is excited to include Amwins and Flexpoint Ford among our sophisticated capital partners,” said Terrence McLean, CEO and co-founder of SageSure. “We’re grateful for their investment in our capital-efficient business model. Their support will strengthen our ability to protect more American Dreams in challenging markets.”
In the past two years, SageSure has secured more than $700 million in equity and debt funding to support its trajectory of responsible growth from top financial institutions, including Ares Management Corporation, Citizens Financial Group, and, most recently, Wintrust Financial Corporation.
“Terry and the SageSure team have built a truly exceptional business,” said Scott Purviance, Chief Executive Officer of Amwins. “We are excited to partner with them and support their efforts in building capacity, expanding their distribution base, and continuing to enhance their industry-leading technology platform.”
“We are excited to partner with Terry and his talented team as they continue to build a capital efficient company with a superior approach to risk selection and a track record of strong underwriting results for their insurance and (re) insurance partners,” said Dominic Hood, Managing Director of Flexpoint. “Our new partnership with SageSure and Amwins continues Flexpoint’s long history of partnering with growth-orientated platforms in the property and casualty insurance industry.”
Shipman & Goodwin LLP served as legal counsel to SageSure. Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A. served as legal counsel to Amwins. Waller Helms Advisors served as financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel to Flexpoint.
About SageSure
SageSure is the managing general underwriter specializing in coastal residential and commercial property insurance. SageSure offers more than 50 competitively priced insurance products in 14 coastal states on behalf of its carrier partners, serves nearly 400,000 policyholders, and has more than $1 billion of inforce premium. Since its launch in 2009, SageSure has been pioneering property insurance through its proprietary online quoting and binding platform and its sophisticated risk modeling and scoring technology. For more information, visit sagesure.com.
About Amwins
Amwins is the largest independent wholesale distributor of specialty insurance products in the U.S. dedicated to serving retail insurance agents by providing property and casualty products, specialty group benefit products, and administrative services. Based in Charlotte, N.C., the company operates through more than 155 offices globally and handles premium placements in excess of $29 billion annually. For more information, visit amwins.com.
About Flexpoint Ford
Flexpoint Ford is a private equity investment firm that has approximately $8.0 billion of regulatory assets under management and specializes in privately negotiated investments in the financial services and healthcare industries. Since the firm’s formation in 2005, Flexpoint Ford has completed investments across a broad range of investment sizes, structures and asset classes. Flexpoint Ford has offices in Chicago, Illinois, and New York, New York. For more information, visit www.flexpointford.com.
