NU Online News Service, Dec. 12, 2:15 p.m. EST

Acquisition activity for insurance brokers appears to be heating up as the year comes to a close.

Willis Group Holdings disclosed an acquisition in Italy and four other brokers announced acquisitions this month.

Willis says it acquired Broking Italia SRL, a specialist in the Italian insurance market.

Founded in 1985, by Gianfranco Agostini and Daniela Andreussi, the Rome-based, firm specializes in employee benefits and supplementary-pension programs.

The firm of 21 employees will become part of Willis Italia SpA, headquartered in Rome.

Agostini will join the Willis Italy board as deputy chairman.

On Thursday, Itasca, Ill.-based Arthur J. Gallagher said it acquired Transwestern General Agency, Inc. in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Founded in 1945, Transwestern General is a managing general agent and wholesale-insurance broker that provides excess and surplus, property and casualty, professional business liability and other specialty-insurance products and services to agents and brokers. The firm specializes in insurance to high-net worth individuals and the transportation industry.

Jeffrey Burgener and his associates, approximately 30, will continue to operate from their current location under the direction of Joel Cavaness, president of Risk Placement Services, Inc., a subsidiary of AJG.

On Monday and Tuesday of last week, Hub International announced three acquisitions.

Monday, the firm announced it acquired Bay Benefits of Mobile, Ala., and VBS, LLC of Colchester, Conn.

Bay Benefits, founded in 2001, offers a full range of employee benefits products and services. The firm will become a part of the Hub International Gulf South operation.

VBS, founded in 2005, offers a wide variety of voluntary benefit products and enrollment, support and communications services.

In connection with the acquisition, Barbara Saxton was named voluntary benefits practice leader, Northeast operations for its newly formed wholesale enrollment operation. She and the VBS staff will continue to operate out of their existing Colchester office.

Tuesday, the firm announced the acquisition of A-ccountable Insurance LLC, of Kalispell, Mont.

A-ccountable specializes in arranging comprehensive personal insurance programs for individuals in the Kalispell community and throughout western Montana.

Boston-based Risk Strategies Co. has acquired Needham, Mass.-based Global Insurance Network Inc.

Founded in 2000, Global Insurance is an independent agency of approximately 10 employees providing a full range of insurance services for clients in the metro Boston area.

The transaction, which was completed on Dec. 1, is RSC’s second of the year. It completed its acquisition of Cohn-Reid-O’Neill Insurance Services, Inc. in San Mateo, Calif., earlier this year.

In New York, insurer Confie Seguros expanded its operation in Texas with the acquisition of Auto Insurance Discounters, Inc., headquartered in Houston.

Confie, a national insurance brokerage firm emphasizing service to Hispanic consumers, says Auto Insurance began operations in 1992, and has grown to 13 locations serving Houston and the surrounding counties and is a major provider of insurance for auto, home, renters and life.

No terms for any of the transactions were announced.

Special Reports /

Agent/Broker Acquisition Activity Revs Up as End of Year Nears

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