What Bender Insurance Solutions does

Bender Insurance Solutions is a third-generation, family-led and employee-owned (ESOP) commercial insurance brokerage founded in 1938 and headquartered in Roseville, California. The company operates as the Sacramento region's largest employee-owned commercial insurance brokerage, serving businesses and individuals primarily across the western United States through relationship-driven sales teams organized by department (Commercial Lines, Personal Lines, Benefits, Surety). It maintains dedicated industry specialization in construction, healthcare, manufacturing/distribution/technology, and real estate, with additional practices in non-profits, hospitality, and property management. The firm is led by President & CEO Maggie Bender-Johnson, the granddaughter of founder Warren G. Bender, who assumed the CEO role in 2022 upon Stephen Bender's retirement to Chairperson.

The company's product portfolio spans core commercial and personal insurance lines, surety bonds, employee benefits, and specialty risk management services. Beyond traditional brokerage placement, Bender administers the in-house Garnet Captive group captive insurance program and offers alternative risk solutions (831(b) captives, large deductibles/SIRs, rent-a-captives). Service extensions include claims management, loss control, safety culture consulting, and HR compliance delivered through partnerships with Mineral (People Risk Management) and ThinkHR. Bender has integrated CompScience's AI-powered workplace safety analytics into its manufacturing/technology offering, enabling computer vision-based risk detection on existing client video systems. The firm also operates BenderU, a recurring webinar and seminar series used for client education and retention.

Revenue is generated primarily through carrier commissions on commercial and personal lines placement, with supplemental professional services revenue from risk management consulting and managed-services revenue from captive program administration. Pricing is quote-based and varies by industry, risk profile, and coverage structure; annual billing is standard. The firm has scaled from 3 employees and $725,000 in revenue under Stephen Bender's leadership to 50+ employees and $13M+ in annual revenue, with 17–23+ year average client tenures and multi-generational relationships (e.g., DJA Properties, Placer Electric). Distribution is conducted through direct sales teams and a client portal (portal.csr24.com), with carrier-side endorsements providing channel leverage (notably the CNA-CMTA agreement for California manufacturers).

Name

Bender Insurance Solutions

Legal name

Bender Insurance Solutions

Website

https://mybendersolutions.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bender Insurance Solutions is a third-generation, employee-owned commercial insurance brokerage founded in 1938 in Roseville, California, serving mid-market and enterprise businesses across the western United States with commercial insurance, surety bonds, employee benefits, and risk management services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Insurance Brokerage

NAICS

Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (524210), Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities (5242)

SIC

Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411), Surety Insurance (6351)

akta.pro primary industry

Mid-Market Commercial Package (Package Policies) (FSAJAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Small Business BOP (Main Street) (FSAJAFAA), Real Estate / Lessors Risk BOP (FSAJAFAI), Healthcare Offices BOP (Medical/Dental/Vet Clinics) (FSAJAFAL), Technology / IT Services BOP (FSAJAFAK)

Keywords

• Commercial insurance brokerage
• Risk management services
• Surety bonds
• Employee benefits administration
• Captive insurance programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Roseville

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, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Insurance Brokerage Commissions: Bender Insurance Solutions operates as an independent insurance brokerage earning commissions from insurance carriers for placing commercial and personal lines coverage. The company serves as an intermediary between clients and insurers, earning commission-based revenue on all policies placed.
2. Risk Management Consulting Services: Professional consulting services including claims management, loss control, safety culture consulting, and enterprise risk management consulting. These services support their insurance offerings and provide additional revenue streams.
3. Alternative Risk/Captive Program Management: Administration and management of captive insurance programs, self-insurance groups, and large deductible programs. The company facilitates alternative risk financing solutions for employers including group captives and 831(b) captives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bender Insurance Solutions is an independent insurance brokerage that places commercial and personal lines insurance coverage with multiple carriers and earns commission-based revenue on the policies placed. The firm also provides surety bonds, employee benefits administration, alternative risk financing (captives, self-insurance, large deductibles), claims management and loss control services, HR risk management solutions, and BenderU client education seminars. It serves both business clients (commercial) and individual consumers (personal lines) throughout the western United States with deep vertical specialization in construction, healthcare, real estate, and manufacturing/technology.

Product overview

Bender Insurance Solutions is a family-led, employee-owned insurance brokerage founded in 1938, offering a comprehensive portfolio of insurance and risk management products and services. The company operates as a single unified brokerage with specialized divisions for commercial insurance, personal insurance, employee benefits, surety bonds, and industry-specific solutions (construction, healthcare, real estate, manufacturing/technology). Core products include commercial insurance (property, liability, workers compensation) and personal insurance (auto, homeowners, umbrella). The portfolio extends through alternative risk programs (captives, large deductibles), claims management and loss control services, HR solutions (via Mineral and ThinkHR partnerships), and BenderU educational seminars. The company also integrates CompScience AI technology for workplace safety analytics in the manufacturing/technology sector.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BenderU: A company-sponsored series of seminars designed to educate clients on risk management and compliance issues. Provides live training and webinars on topics including construction, healthcare, employee benefits, and OSHA.

Products and services

• Commercial Insurance Custom-tailored commercial insurance programs including property, general liability, workers compensation, and management/professional liability coverage for businesses throughout the western states.
• Personal Insurance Personal insurance products including auto, homeowners, condo, renters, earthquake, flood, personal excess/umbrella, and coverage for recreational vehicles, watercraft, collectibles, and classic automobiles for individual consumers.
• Employee Benefits Executive and employee benefit programs including group insurance (medical, dental, vision, life, disability, accident, critical illness, cancer coverage), self-funding options, healthcare reform compliance, and key person insurance.
• Surety Bonds Bond and surety services including bid bonds, performance and payment bonds, supply bonds, subdivision bonds, fidelity and crime bonds, ERISA bonds, and license and permit bonds.
• Construction Insurance Solutions Specialized insurance for construction companies covering third-party liability, property and inland marine, workers compensation, and surety/bonding with loss control and claims management services.
• Healthcare Insurance Solutions Risk management and insurance solutions for healthcare organizations including general liability, professional liability/medical malpractice, property, commercial auto, and workers compensation coverage.
• Real Estate Insurance Solutions Insurance and risk management for real estate developers, building owners, property managers, and lending institutions covering property, environmental liability, professional liability, cyber liability, and employment practices.
• Manufacturing, Distribution & Technology Insurance Comprehensive insurance for manufacturing, wholesale, distribution, and technology companies covering property, liability, crime, commercial auto, product recall, E&O, cyber liability, and workers compensation.
• Alternative Risks & Captive Capabilities Alternative risk programs including 831(b) captives, large deductibles/SIRs, rent-a-captives, sponsored segregated cell captives, and group captives for workers compensation, auto, GL, and health insurance.
• Claims Management & Loss Control Claims administration, loss prevention, safety culture consulting, P&C claims management, workers compensation claims management, and enterprise risk management consulting services.
• HR Solutions HR compliance and risk management services delivered through partnerships with Mineral (People Risk Management) and ThinkHR (HR consulting), including resource libraries, live advisors, handbook builders, and learning management.

Quantifiable outcome

• Clients report 25% cost decrease with better coverage after switching to Bender
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CompSciencecoreTechnology or IntegrationCompScience is the endorsed insurance broker partner for Bender Insurance Solutions. CompScience is the first Workers Comp Solution that integrates AI technology and risk management to help companies reduce workplace risks by 66%, reduce injury rates by 23%+, and reduce Workers Comp insurance premiums by 20%+. Uses artificial intelligence with existing video systems to deliver real-time data-driven safety solutions.
• MineralcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBender Insurance Solutions partners with Mineral to provide their People Risk Management solution to help clients save time and money while reducing risks associated with HR and compliance issues. Mineral offers Comply (resource library), Live Advisors (SPHR/PHR certified advisors), Living Handbook (federal/state compliant handbook builder), and Learn (learning management system).
• ThinkHRminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThinkHR Live provides a team of HR experts available by phone and email to answer questions related to HR topics including employee relations, harassment, discipline, FMLA, wage and hour issues, and leaves of absence. Available 8am-7pm Central each business day.
• CNAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCNA is the world leader in advancing safety and writing coverages across 90% of all manufacturing classes. Bender Insurance Solutions brokered an agreement between CNA and the California Manufacturing & Technology Association (CMTA). CNA and CMTA chose to work with Bender because of their depth of experience, financial strength, and expertise in coordinating end-to-end coverage programs.
• California Manufacturing & Technology Association (CMTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBender Insurance Solutions is the endorsed insurance broker for CMTA. Through this partnership, Bender brokered an agreement between CNA and CMTA, providing CNA-endorsed coverage programs for California manufacturers.
• Garnet Captive ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Garnet Captive program is a group captive insurance program administered by Bender Insurance Solutions. Programs have A or better ratings. Participants receive annual inspections, educational information, dedicated management team, and have lowered experience mods, reduced letter of credit requirements, and enhanced safety programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Heffernan Insurance Brokers: Walnut Creek, CA-based independent commercial insurance brokerage of comparable size serving similar West Coast mid-market clients across construction, healthcare, and real estate verticals. Family-influenced culture and similar vertical specialization make it one of the closest direct comparables in the region.
• Woodruff-Sawyer & Company: Northern California-based independent commercial insurance brokerage offering commercial, personal, and benefits solutions with similar vertical expertise in construction, real estate, and technology. Comparable mid-size, privately-held model serving West Coast clients.
• Relation Insurance Services: PE-backed national insurance brokerage built through roll-up acquisitions of regional brokerages. Similar mid-market commercial focus but with capital structure enabling M&A-driven growth, contrasting Bender's organic ESOP model.

Regional players

• The Buckner Company: Long-standing Sacramento-region insurance brokerage serving commercial and personal lines. Operates in the same Sacramento footprint as Bender with comparable mid-market focus, making it the most direct local competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Alliant Insurance Services: Large California-headquartered specialty insurance brokerage serving commercial, public entity, and employee benefits clients across the U.S. Overlaps significantly with Bender's vertical specialization but at much larger scale.
• Brown & Brown Insurance: National publicly-traded insurance brokerage with West Coast operations serving commercial and personal lines, employee benefits, and specialty programs. Represents the scaled incumbent model that regional brokerages like Bender either grow into or partner with.
• Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Global insurance brokerage and risk management firm with deep West Coast presence serving middle-market and large commercial accounts. Operates as a broad incumbent competitor across Bender's primary verticals.
• Lockton Companies: Largest privately-held insurance brokerage in the world, with significant California operations serving middle-market and large commercial clients in construction, healthcare, and real estate. Comparable independence but at dramatically larger scale.
• Marsh McLennan: Global insurance brokerage and risk advisory leader with significant West Coast operations serving mid-market and enterprise clients. Represents the largest scale incumbent competing for Bender's target accounts.

Emerging players

• Brelje & Clark Consulting Engineers: California-based specialty firm with construction-focused insurance brokerage services for Northern California contractors. Highly comparable construction-vertical specialization with similar regional West Coast positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bender_ins
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/benderinsurance
• Facebookfacebook.com/BenderInsuranceSolutions
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bender-insurance-solutions

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Bender Insurance Solutions