What SterlingRisk does

SterlingRisk is a privately-held, full-service insurance brokerage and risk management firm founded in 1932 and headquartered in Woodbury, New York. The firm places commercial and personal insurance coverage across 20+ industry verticals — including construction, real estate, aviation, environmental, manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, entertainment, food distribution, and high-net-worth personal lines — and earns revenue primarily through commissions paid by underwriting carriers on premiums placed, supplemented by risk management consulting fees and third-party claims administration. Its core differentiators are exclusive risk purchasing groups (Bolton Street Real Estate, SMART-U retail, GREEN environmental, PDI design professional, FECSA entertainment) that aggregate member buying power to secure capacity and pricing unavailable to individual buyers, and a stack of wholly-owned subsidiaries (Sterling Analytics for legal cost control, Essential Services & Programs for claims administration, Sterling Aviation Insurance Services, and Sterling Environmental Services) that extend the firm beyond pure brokerage into adjacent risk services.

The firm operates a hybrid go-to-market: dedicated industry-specialist division presidents and producers drive enterprise and mid-market client relationships through a consultative, relationship-driven sales motion, while a self-serve digital quoting platform via storefront.boldpenguin.com serves small business accounts. Global servicing is delivered through partnerships with RiskProNet International (5,000+ professionals, 300 offices worldwide) and JLT International Network (135+ countries). SterlingRisk holds SOC 2 Type II compliance and Great Place to Work certification, was recognized in Business Insurance's 2026 broker rankings and Insurance Journal's Top 100 P&C Agencies, and operates with 247+ employees writing $741M+ in annual premium volume. Recent strategic moves include the March 2026 acquisition of ASZ International, leadership promotions formalizing succession (Marci Waterman to Deputy CEO, John Beres to COO), and specialty product launches in data center, real estate development, and transportation insurance.

Name

SterlingRisk

Legal name

SterlingRisk

Website

https://sterlingrisk.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1932

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

SterlingRisk Insurance

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Insurance Brokerage and Risk Management Services

NAICS

Finance and Insurance (52), Other Insurance Funds (52519)

SIC

Fire, Marine & Casualty Insurance (6331), Surety Insurance (6351)

akta.pro primary industry

Captive Insurance Advisory & Management (FSAEADAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Commercial Surety Bonds (FSAJAIAB)

Keywords

• Insurance brokerage services
• Commercial property casualty insurance
• Risk management consulting
• Employee benefits consulting
• Specialty insurance programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Woodbury

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Insurance Brokerage Commissions: SterlingRisk earns commissions from insurance carriers based on premiums placed for clients. As a broker, they represent clients in placing insurance coverage and receive a percentage of the premium as compensation from the underwriting carrier.
2. Risk Management & Consulting Services: Professional services revenue from risk management consulting, claims advocacy, loss control consulting, and specialized advisory services including legal cost control through Sterling Analytics subsidiary.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SterlingRisk is a privately held insurance brokerage that places commercial and personal insurance coverage and administers group captive programs. Its service portfolio includes property and casualty, cyber, employee benefits, management liability, trade credit, surety, representations and warranties insurance, claims advocacy, loss control, legal cost control, and other risk-management consulting.

Product overview

SterlingRisk is a multi-line insurance brokerage and risk management firm offering a comprehensive portfolio of insurance products and consulting services. The core insurance offerings span business insurance (commercial property & casualty, cyber, employee benefits, financial products, international, management liability, captives, trade credit, sureties, RWI), personal insurance (life, family office, private client solutions), and industry-specialized coverage across 20+ sectors including construction, real estate, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, entertainment, and food distribution. The firm operates specialized divisions (Environmental & Professional Services, Aviation, Construction) and subsidiaries including Sterling Analytics (legal cost control) and Sterling Environmental Services. The consulting arm provides claims advocacy, risk management, and loss control services. The architecture is a unified brokerage platform with specialized divisions and subsidiaries addressing distinct market segments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sterling Analytics: Subsidiary providing legal cost control and analytics consulting services, helping clients reduce outside legal expenses.
• Essential Services & Programs (ES&P)
• Sterling Aviation Insurance Services, LLC
• Sterling Environmental Services (SES)
• Bolton Street Real Estate
• SMART-U
• GREEN Program
• FECSA Insurance Program
• MusicPro Insurance
• Select Entertainment Insurance
• Professional Design Insurance (PDI)

Products and services

• Captives A group captive insurance program that lets businesses take control of insurance costs through oversight and management of risk, providing buying power, cost stability, and profitability benefits.
• Commercial Property & Casualty Comprehensive commercial property and general liability insurance coverage delivered with a consultative approach focused on risk reduction and cost management.
• Cyber Insurance Cyber risk management and insurance solutions addressing cyberattacks, data breaches, and ransomware events with comprehensive coverage and response services.
• Data Center Insurance Solutions Specialized insurance programs for data centers, digital infrastructure operators, AI platforms, and cloud computing facilities covering operational, environmental, and cyber risks.
• Employee Benefits Customized employee benefits consulting including group health, dental, life and disability insurance, defined contribution plans, and 401(k) programs.
• Financial Insurance Products Insurance for financial service providers covering directors and officers (D&O) liability, errors and omissions (E&O) liability, employment practices liability (EPLI), fidelity and crime insurance, cyber liability, and professional liability coverage.
• International Insurance Global insurance coverage through the RiskProNet International Network and the JLT International Network, providing access to 5,000+ professionals in 300 offices worldwide.
• Management Liability Combined D&O, Employment Practices Liability (EPLI), and Fiduciary Liability insurance that protects the business interests of owners and principals.
• Representations & Warranties Insurance M&A insurance that protects buyers or sellers from financial loss arising from a breach of contractual representations or warranties in merger and acquisition transactions.
• Small Business Insurance Small-business insurance hub offering general liability, workers' compensation, business owner’s policy (BOP), professional liability, commercial auto, and cyber insurance through online quoting and purchase.
• Surety Bonds Bid, performance, and payment bonds that provide guarantees for contractors and businesses on construction and contractual obligations.
• Trade Credit Insurance Protection for sellers against nonpayment of commercial trade debt, covering both commercial and political risks associated with extending credit to buyers.
• Auto Services & Transportation Insurance Insurance programs for auto service companies, tow operators, and trucking, including garage liability, garagekeepers, commercial auto, and cargo coverage.
• Education Insurance Insurance programs for colleges, universities, and private schools covering campus risks with property, casualty, and employee benefits coverage.
• Construction Insurance Construction risk management and insurance with dedicated specialists providing property, casualty, surety, environmental, and related coverage for construction projects.
• Aviation Insurance Specialized aviation insurance programs for airlines, corporate aircraft owners and operators, helicopter operators, fixed base operators (FBOs), and manufacturers, including coverage and claims support.
• Architects & Engineers Insurance Professional liability and errors and omissions (E&O) coverage for architects, engineers, and design professionals, provided through the Professional Design Insurance (PDI) program.
• Environmental & Professional Services Environmental risk management and insurance through the Sterling Environmental Services (SES) group, offering pollution legal liability, site pollution liability, and combined general liability/environmental coverage, including the GREEN program.
• Family Entertainment Centers Insurance Coverage for family entertainment centers, bowling alleys, arcades, and amusement attractions, including specialized liability, property, and business interruption coverage.
• Financial Services Insurance Risk and professional liability coverage for financial services firms and private equity investors, including D&O, cyber, E&O, and related liability protections.
• Food Distribution Insurance Insurance solutions for food manufacturers, distributors, and retail grocers addressing product recall, business continuity, supply chain, and related exposures.
• Health & Social Services Insurance Insurance programs for health and social service organizations, including professional and general liability coverage for addiction counselors, mental health professionals, and related providers.
• Manufacturing Insurance Industry-specific risk and insurance solutions for manufacturers covering product liability, product recall, environmental hazards, and cyber risks.
• Music, Sports, & Entertainment Insurance Entertainment insurance programs such as MusicPro and Select Entertainment covering musicians, studios, events, sports teams, and venues with property, liability, and equipment coverage.
• Professional Services Insurance Integrated insurance for medical providers, attorneys, and other professionals, including malpractice, employment practices liability, D&O, professional liability, and workers' compensation coverage.
• Real Estate Insurance Real estate insurance with the Bolton Street Real Estate program offering umbrella limits up to $35 million for property owners, managers, developers, and REITs.
• Real Estate Development Insurance Risk and insurance solutions for real estate developers covering builder’s risk, environmental, professional liability, contractor default, and project-specific programs.
• Retail Insurance Retail insurance with the SMART-U program providing umbrella limits up to $100 million for store owners, merchants, and tenants.
• Restaurants & Hospitality Insurance Insurance programs for hotels, restaurants, and food retailers covering property, business continuity, liquor liability, loss control, and related exposures.
• Life Insurance Life insurance and estate planning solutions for affluent families focused on generational wealth preservation, risk management, and legacy planning.
• Family Office Insurance Property and casualty coverage for family offices protecting luxury homes, automobiles, yachts, private aircraft, fine art, jewelry, and other high-value assets.
• Private Client Solutions Comprehensive personal insurance for affluent individuals covering luxury homes, automobiles, yachts, private aircraft, fine art collections, jewelry, and personal excess liability.
• Wholesale Distribution Insurance Risk and insurance solutions for wholesalers and distributors covering products, warehouses, cargo, supply chain, and contract risks.
• Claims Advocacy & Consulting Claims management and advocacy services from loss reporting through resolution, including pre‑loss planning, carrier negotiations, and structured claim resolution.
• Risk Management Services Risk management consulting covering claims advocacy, legal cost control, loss control consulting, real estate acquisition support, law‑firm risk management, risk transfer and indemnity review, third‑party claims administration, and workers’ compensation audit and recovery.
• Legal Cost Control Legal cost control consulting through Sterling Analytics that reduces outside legal costs on average 15‑25% or more using legal precedent, billing analysis, and proprietary methodologies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduce insurance premiums by 25-40% for family entertainment centers through FECSA program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered growth, core and specialty.

• ASZ InternationalgrowthStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 March 2026ASZ International, founded in 2018 and specializing in commercial insurance solutions, was acquired by Sterling Risk. The acquisition provides ASZ clients expanded resources, capabilities, and market access while representing Sterling Risk's latest strategic investment to expand platform and strengthen expertise across targeted industry verticals.
• RiskProNet InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership in RiskProNet International provides access to a global network of more than 5,000 insurance professionals in 300 offices worldwide. This partnership enables SterlingRisk to serve clients' international insurance needs while maintaining the personal service clients expect from SterlingRisk.
• JLT International NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal joint venture with JLT International Network, the second largest global broker network operating in over 135 countries. JLT provides insurance risk management and employee benefit solutions with owned operations in 18 of the 20 world's top economies.
• FECSA (Family Entertainment Center Safety Association)specialtyChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSterlingRisk offers the FECSA Insurance Program which has been providing comprehensive insurance products and solutions to the entertainment and leisure industry for over 25 years through a specialized affinity program.
• PDI (Professional Design Insurance)specialtyStrategic or Co-development PartnerSterlingRisk partners with PDI to offer Professional Design Insurance program handling E&O coverage for design professionals since 1980, providing comprehensive coverage options through a specialized niche program.
• Essential Services & Programs (ES&P)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThird-party administrative (TPA) platform operated by SterlingRisk through its Essential Services & Programs division, providing claims administration and related back-office support services.
• Sterling AnalyticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary of SterlingRisk providing consulting and advisory services that help individuals and companies reduce outside legal expenses by an average of 15-25% through methodologies based on legal precedent and ethical billing standards.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• USI Insurance Services: Privately-held national insurance brokerage offering commercial P&C, employee benefits, personal lines, and specialty practices across similar industry verticals to SterlingRisk, with comparable mid-market to enterprise client focus and proprietary specialty programs.
• Hub International: Large North American insurance brokerage with strong specialty industry practices (construction, real estate, entertainment, manufacturing) and similar vertical segmentation model, serving mid-market and enterprise clients with both brokerage and risk consulting capabilities.
• Alliant Insurance Services: Specialty-focused insurance brokerage with divisions across construction, real estate, energy, marine, aviation, healthcare, and other verticals, with comparable emphasis on niche industry expertise and exclusive programs.
• Lockton Companies: Largest privately-held insurance brokerage globally, with strong specialty industry practices and risk management consulting capabilities that directly mirror SterlingRisk's vertically-specialized brokerage model and exclusive program offerings.
• Acrisure: Tech-enabled, rapidly-growing insurance brokerage combining traditional brokerage with proprietary technology and AI capabilities, competing for similar commercial clients with a more aggressive M&A and digital distribution strategy.
• NFP: Mid-market focused insurance broker and consultant (acquired by Aon in 2024) with comparable specialty practices across P&C, benefits, and personal lines, targeting similar commercial client segments with a relationship-driven model.
• Brown & Riding: Specialty insurance brokerage focused on construction, environmental, real estate, and other niche verticals — competes directly with SterlingRisk's specialty divisions including the GREEN program and Bolton Street Real Estate umbrella.

Broad incumbents

• Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Major publicly-traded global insurance brokerage with significantly larger scale and similar comprehensive offerings across commercial P&C, benefits, risk management, and claims advocacy — overlapping with SterlingRisk but operating at materially greater scale and geographic breadth.
• Marsh McLennan: Global insurance brokerage and risk advisory giant operating across commercial P&C, specialty, reinsurance, and consulting — competes with SterlingRisk for larger enterprise accounts and represents the incumbent scale benchmark in the brokerage industry.
• Aon: Global insurance and reinsurance brokerage with extensive commercial risk solutions, including NFP acquisition strengthening mid-market presence — provides the broadest set of overlapping capabilities with SterlingRisk but at vastly greater scale and global footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SterRisk
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCMxkfe22ed_v2RNPH5nFNYg
• Facebookfacebook.com/SterlingRisk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sterling-&-sterling
• Instagraminstagram.com/sterlingrisk

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SterlingRisk