Brown & Brown is one of the largest insurance brokerages in the United States, providing coverage options for both businesses and individuals. But how do their services really stack up? This comprehensive review examines Brown & Brown’s pros and cons based on customer feedback, pricing, financial strength, and more.
Overview of Brown & Brown Insurance
- One of the top 10 largest brokers in the US
- Provides business, home, auto, and other insurance products
- Operates under a network of subsidiaries and local offices
- Founded in 1939 and based in Florida
- Generates over $2 billion in annual revenue
Brown & Brown operates by acting as an intermediary between clients and insurance carriers. They have access to policies from over 200 leading insurers across various lines of coverage.
This large scale allows Brown & Brown to leverage bulk buying power to negotiate competitive pricing for customers. However, they do not actually underwrite or administer policies themselves.
Brown & Brown Insurance Customer Reviews
Brown & Brown insurance reviews are mixed, based on feedback from various online sources:
Indeed.com reviews: 2.9 out of 5 stars based on over 1,300 employee reviews
WalletHub reviews: 1.7 out of 5 stars across 12 customer reviews
Common positives: Competitive pricing, wide variety of insurance options
Common complaints:
- Poor customer service responsiveness
- Difficulty getting ahold of agents
- Unexpected fee hikes at renewal
- Claims denied unexpectedly
While some customers report a smooth experience with competitive rates, others faced poor service and problems getting payments for legitimate claims. Experiences seem to vary greatly between different local offices.
Brown & Brown Insurance Products
Brown & Brown provides all major types of commercial and personal insurance, including:
- Business insurance – General liability, commercial auto, workers compensation, more
- Home insurance – Coverage for house, condo, apartment, mobile home
- Auto insurance – Private passenger and commercial vehicles
- Life insurance
- Health and disability insurance
- Professional liability insurance
- Surety bonds
- Risk management services
They are able to provide quotes from top national carriers as well as smaller regional insurers. However, specific products vary between locations.
Brown & Brown Insurance Pricing
Pricing for Brown & Brown’s insurance tends to be competitive but not the absolute lowest cost in most cases. As an independent broker, they can shop rates from many carriers to find affordable options tailored to your risk profile and coverage needs.
However, it’s always smart to compare quotes from multiple agencies before choosing a policy. Some independent local agents may be able to beat out the pricing from large national brokers like Brown & Brown.
According to customers, Brown & Brown advertises very low rate quotes upfront but sometimes increases prices unexpectedly at policy renewal time. This “bait and switch” experience has led to some negative reviews.
Brown & Brown Financial Strength
Since Brown & Brown is an insurance broker, its own financial strength and stability isn’t as crucial as for insurance providers themselves. As long as Brown & Brown stays solvent, it can continue placing customers with highly-rated carriers.
Some key financial metrics for Brown & Brown:
- A.M. Best Rating: A (Excellent)
- Total Revenue: $2.7 billion (2021)
- Total Employees: Over 11,000
The “A” (Excellent) A.M. Best rating indicates Brown & Brown has a strong capacity to meet its ongoing policy and contract obligations. So while customers primarily rely on the financial stability of the insurance carriers, Brown & Brown’s brokerage has solid finances itself.
Is Brown & Brown Worth It?
Brown & Brown gives customers access to a vast portfolio of insurance carriers and extensive risk management resources through its national and local offices. For large complex insurance needs, Brown & Brown can be an attractive option.
However, for basic personal insurance like home and auto coverage, you may get superior customer service from local independent agents. These smaller agencies can focus more attention on each client.
Based on mixed customer feedback, here are some key pros and cons to weigh:
Pros
- Ability to shop many top insurance carriers
- Competitive pricing in most cases
- Strong financial position as a broker
- Wide range of insurance solutions
Cons
- Complaints of poor customer service
- Unexpected price hikes at renewal
- Mixed experiences getting claims fully covered
-Reports of “bait and switch” with advertised prices
For the average consumer, having an independent local agent who can devote significant personal attention may outweigh the benefits of Brown & Brown’s scale and carrier selection. But businesses with more complex risks may appreciate Brown & Brown’s vast resources and insurance connections.
Ultimately, the quality of coverage depends more on the insurer behind your specific policy than the broker who sells it. Be sure to read reviews of whichever insurance company provides your quoted coverage to confirm they have a strong reputation for claims and customer service.
The Bottom Line
Brown & Brown has grown into one of the largest insurance brokers by providing business and individual policies across a wide range of needs. Their size gives customers access to many leading insurance carriers at competitive rates. However, policy pricing and servicing is ultimately dependent on the underwriting insurer itself.
Based on mixed customer feedback, individuals may have better luck with highly-rated local independent agencies that can provide more personalized attention. But Brown & Brown’s extensive carrier access and risk management capabilities can be attractive for larger commercial clients.
If considering Brown & Brown, be sure to get multiple quotes and read reviews of their specific local office location. Pricing and service experience can vary. Also carefully vet whichever insurer they recommend for your particular coverage situation. Comparing all options will help you determine if Brown & Brown is the optimal choice for your insurance needs.
Workday testimonial video: Brown & Brown Insurance
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