A series of targeted acquisitions have been announced across the US insurance market.
SPG moves into short‑term rental niche with Proper Insurance deal
Specialty Program Group LLC, the specialty distribution and MGA platform, has acquired Proper Insurance, a Bozeman, Montana‑based program specialist focused on short‑term rental risks.
Founded in 2014, Proper provides commercial insurance specifically designed for short‑term rental properties, from individual hosts to professionally managed portfolios and properties listed on platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo. Its policy is structured to replace traditional homeowners or landlord cover, addressing hybrid commercial and personal exposures such as guest liability, business income and property damage in a single form.
Proper is licensed in all 50 states and backed by markets including Lloyd’s of London and Concert Specialty. The acquisition gives SPG a dedicated national platform in a segment that has grown rapidly with the rise of home‑sharing and vacation‑rental platforms, but where coverage is often fragmented or misunderstood. The deal also strengthens SPG’s specialty property platform at a time when regulators, hosts and platforms are paying closer attention to coverage gaps in home‑sharing and vacation‑rental business.
As part of the transaction, long‑time executive Michael Grimland has been appointed president of Proper. Grimland joined the firm in 2017 and previously served as director of operations, helping to build out underwriting, claims and operational capabilities and bringing experience in commercial underwriting, reinsurance and the Lloyd’s marketplace.
King Risk Partners deepens Georgia presence with Lewis Insurance
King Risk Partners has expanded its Southern footprint via the acquisition of Lewis Insurance, an independent agency based in Thomasville, Georgia.
Lewis Insurance has been serving families and businesses across Georgia for more than 30 years, with a book spanning home, auto, renters and business insurance and additional coverages tailored to local needs. The firm has built its model around personal relationships and responsive service.
“We are pleased to welcome Lewis Insurance to the King family,” said Scott Popilek, CEO of King Risk Partners. “Their longstanding reputation, industry experience, and commitment to client relationships align closely with the values that guide our organization. This addition strengthens our presence in Georgia and supports our ability to provide locally focused service, supported by the added resources and capabilities of King Risk Partners.”
Owner Jason Lewis said the transaction would give his team access to broader markets and resources while allowing the agency to maintain its service model. “Our focus has always been on delivering exceptional service,” he said. “This partnership gives us additional resources to expand our personal and business insurance offerings while allowing us to remain fully focused on providing a high level of care and attention to our customers.”
The deal follows a series of Southeast‑focused acquisitions for Gainesville, Florida‑based King Risk Partners, which has been methodically adding independent agencies in Georgia and neighbouring states as part of a deliberate, values‑driven growth strategy.
Hilb Group adds Georgia surety agency as it builds bond capabilities
Hilb Group, the Richmond, Virginia‑based brokerage and advisory firm backed by Carlyle, has acquired a Georgia‑based surety bond agency in a move that expands its bonding capabilities and presence in the Southeast.
The transaction became effective on Feb. 1, 2026.
Hilb said the deal will enhance its ability to provide surety solutions to contractors and commercial clients in the region and fits its broader strategy of building out specialty verticals through targeted acquisitions. The name of the acquired agency was not disclosed.
Founded in 2009, Hilb has grown aggressively via M&A, completing more than 200 acquisitions and building a network of more than 125 offices in 30‑plus states. It has also been focusing on surety as a growth area, previously adding dedicated bond specialists in the Mid‑Atlantic and other regions.
Hilb’s latest move comes as demand for surety capacity remains strong in many US construction markets, with public‑sector infrastructure spending and private‑sector projects driving bond needs even as contractors face higher input costs and tighter underwriting standards.
