Berson-Sokol Agency
Berson-Sokol Agency is an insurance general agency and IMO that helps independent insurance agents sell life, annuity, long-term care, and senior health products from 40+ carriers across 40+ U.S. states.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1973
- HeadquartersCleveland, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Berson-Sokol Agency does
Berson-Sokol Agency is a for-profit, private insurance general agency and Insurance Marketing Organization (IMO) founded in 1973 and headquartered in Beachwood/Cleveland, Ohio. The firm operates as an intermediary that connects independent insurance agents and financial advisors with insurance carriers, providing back-office support, product access, and technology tools needed to sell and service policies. Its customer base is exclusively B2B — independent producers who use the agency as a distribution partner rather than retail consumers.
The product portfolio spans life insurance, annuities, long-term care, and senior health care products (including Medicare plans, dental/vision, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and final expense coverage). The agency maintains contractual relationships with more than 40 insurance carriers for life and annuity products and more than 75 carriers for senior health products, and is licensed to operate in over 40 U.S. states. According to company-reported figures, the agency has placed more than $30 billion of life insurance in-force cumulatively over its history. The technology platform provides 24/7 quoting capabilities, electronic applications, case tracking, and enrollment tools supported by a CRM system. Recent product additions include a partnership with Thrivent to distribute the HonestLTC long-term care product and a hybrid annuity/LTC combination product, signaling intent to expand in the underpenetrated LTC market.
Berson-Sokol earns revenue through commission overrides paid by the carriers whose products are placed through the agency — a standard IMO monetization model. In 2024, the firm was acquired by The Brokerage Inc., a larger insurance marketing organization, in a transaction that also marked the retirement of long-time leader Craig Berson. Headcount is reported at 11-50 employees, consistent with a mid-sized regional IMO whose scale is achieved through agent-distributed placement rather than large in-house staff.
Berson-Sokol Agency firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Berson-Sokol Agency
- Legal name
- Berson-Sokol Agency, Inc.
- Website
- https://berson-sokol.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1973
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Berson-Sokol Agency is an insurance general agency and IMO that helps independent insurance agents sell life, annuity, long-term care, and senior health products from 40+ carriers across 40+ U.S. states.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Berson-Sokol Agency industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Insurance General Agency Services
- NAICS
- Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (524210)
- SIC
- Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Insurance Program Administration & MGA/MGU Services (FSAEADAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Medicare Plan Distribution & Brokerage (Captive, Independent, FMOs) (FSAIAGAH)
Keywords
Where Berson-Sokol Agency is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cleveland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Berson-Sokol Agency business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Commission Overrides from Insurance Carriers: As a general agency, Berson-Sokol earns commission overrides from insurance carriers when agents sell policies through their agency. Commissions are paid directly to agents from carriers with no reduction. The agency generates revenue through volume-based overrides and bonuses from carrier partners.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Berson-Sokol Agency product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Berson-Sokol Agency is a general agency (GA) and insurance marketing organization (IMO) that supports independent insurance agents and advisors. The agency provides carrier access across 40+ insurance partners, back-office support, technology platforms (24/7 quoting, e-apps, case status tracking, contracting, CRM, enrollment), case design and underwriting support, training, and competitive commissions paid directly from carriers. Its product portfolio spans life insurance, annuities, long term care, and senior health (Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplements, Medicare PDP, critical illness, hospital indemnity, final expense, dental/vision/hearing, and related lines).
Product overview
Berson-Sokol Agency operates as an insurance marketing organization (IMO) and general agency (GA) offering a comprehensive portfolio of insurance products through its network of 75+ carrier partnerships. The core platform consists of four main product categories: Life Insurance, Annuities, Senior Health Care, and Long Term Care. The Senior Health Care division encompasses Medicare products (Advantage, Supplements, PDP), dental/vision/hearing coverage, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and final expense. Additional product lines include ACA health plans, accident, disability, short-term medical, term life, traditional life, and international medical insurance. The company provides agents with technology-enabled quoting tools, enrollment platforms, and back-office support services, while leveraging relationships with carriers including Protective, Mass Mutual, Mutual of Omaha, John Hancock, Securian, Prudential, Lincoln, Nationwide, and others. Two recent product innovations include Thrivent HonestLTC Insurance and an Annuity/LTC combination product launched in 2026.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Life Insurance Life insurance products offered through the agency's carrier network, with technology that shortens the application process and agency expertise to help agents place life insurance cases for clients.
- Annuities Fixed and other annuity products from the highest-rated carriers, used for retirement planning and wealth strategy solutions distributed through Berson-Sokol's agent network.
- Senior Health Care Comprehensive senior care insurance products including Medicare, dental and vision, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and final expense coverage distributed through the agency's carrier relationships.
- Long Term Care Long term care insurance products that protect clients' assets and financial futures with creative coverage solutions, supported by the agency's dedicated long term care team and underwriting expertise.
- Medicare Advantage Plans Medicare Advantage plans offered through the agency's carrier partnerships to senior clients, distributed by independent agents with back-office and contracting support.
- Medicare Supplement Plans Medicare Supplement insurance products to fill gaps in Original Medicare coverage, distributed through the agency's carrier network.
- Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) Medicare Prescription Drug Plans for senior clients, distributed through the agency's carrier partners.
- Critical Illness Insurance Critical illness insurance products providing lump-sum benefits upon diagnosis of specified conditions, distributed through the agency's carrier partners.
- Hospital Indemnity Insurance Hospital indemnity insurance providing cash benefits for hospital stays, distributed through the agency's carrier relationships.
- Final Expense Insurance Final expense insurance products covering end-of-life costs for seniors, distributed through the agency's carrier partnerships.
- Dental, Vision, and Hearing Insurance Dental, vision, and hearing insurance products for seniors, distributed through the agency's carrier network.
- Accident Insurance Accident insurance products providing benefits for accident-related medical expenses, distributed through the agency's carrier partners.
- Disability Insurance Disability insurance products replacing income during periods of disability, distributed through the agency's carrier relationships.
- Short Term Medical Insurance Short-term medical insurance plans providing temporary coverage, distributed through the agency's carrier partners.
- ACA Health Plans Affordable Care Act health insurance plans distributed through the agency's carrier partners.
- Term Life Insurance Term life insurance products with coverage for specific time periods, distributed through the agency's carrier partners.
- Traditional Whole Life Insurance Traditional whole life insurance products with permanent coverage and cash value accumulation, distributed through the agency's carrier partners.
- International Medical Insurance International medical insurance for travelers outside their home country, distributed through the agency's carrier partners.
- Thrivent HonestLTC Insurance Long term care insurance policy with monthly benefits, 24-96 month benefit periods, 10-pay and recurring premium options, Preferred/Standard/Class I and Class rate classes, and Shared Benefit and Cash Benefit Riders.
- Annuity/LTC Combination Product Combination annuity and long term care product with no underwriting, allowing conversion of an existing non-qualified annuity into income tax-free long term care benefits, with coverage up to $1MM, offered by an A+ rated carrier.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over $30 Billion of life insurance in-force
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Berson-Sokol Agency
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Berson-Sokol Agency technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Berson-Sokol Agency partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- The Brokerage Inc.coreFounder Craig Berson officially sold Berson-Sokol to The Brokerage Inc. As part of The Brokerage Inc., Berson-Sokol now has access to expanded resources, broader portfolio of products, and enhanced technology platforms. The team and service model remain the same.
- Protective LifecoreFeatured carrier partner offering life insurance products through Berson-Sokol's agent network
- MassMutualcoreFeatured carrier partner offering life insurance products
- Mutual of OmahacoreFeatured carrier partner offering critical illness, simplified life, and other insurance products
- John HancockcoreFeatured carrier partner for life insurance products
- Securian Financial GroupcoreFeatured carrier partner offering long term care and life insurance products
- PrudentialcoreFeatured carrier partner for life insurance products
- Lincoln Financial GroupcoreFeatured carrier partner for annuity and life insurance products
- NationwidecoreFeatured carrier partner offering various insurance products
- TransamericacoreFeatured carrier partner for life insurance and annuity products
- Corebridge Financial (formerly AIG)coreFeatured carrier partner offering insurance products
- Global AtlanticcoreFeatured carrier partner for annuity products
- Athene AnnuitycoreFeatured carrier partner for annuity products
- Physicians MutualcoreFeatured carrier partner offering Medicare Supplement and life insurance products
- AetnacoreFeatured carrier partner for Medicare Advantage and supplemental insurance products
- HumanacoreFeatured carrier partner for Medicare Advantage products
- United HealthcarecoreFeatured carrier partner for Medicare and health insurance products
- WellcarecoreFeatured carrier partner for Medicare Advantage products
- Molina HealthcarecoreFeatured carrier partner for Medicare products
- Devoted HealthcoreFeatured carrier partner for Medicare Advantage products
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Berson-Sokol Agency competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ritter Insurance Marketing: Ritter Insurance Marketing is a large field marketing organization (FMO)/IMO focused on Medicare and senior products, contracting with independent agents across the U.S. Both Berson-Sokol and Ritter provide carrier access, contracting, training, and back-office support to independent agents selling Medicare Advantage, Supplements, and PDPs—making them a directly comparable peer in the FMO channel.
- Crump Life Insurance Services: Crump is a major wholesale life insurance brokerage that provides independent agents and financial advisors with carrier access, case design, and underwriting support across life, annuity, and LTC products. Like Berson-Sokol, Crump operates in the wholesale distribution layer and competes for the same independent producer relationships selling life insurance.
- Ash Brokerage: Ash Brokerage is a wholesale insurance brokerage specializing in life, annuity, and long-term care products distributed through independent advisors. Both Berson-Sokol and Ash operate GA-style models supplying contracting, case design, and carrier relationships to producers in the middle market.
- Senior Market Sales: Senior Market Sales is an FMO/IMO specializing in Medicare products, annuities, and senior health insurance for independent agents. The product mix, agent-supported distribution model, and use of commission overrides directly parallel Berson-Sokol's senior health and Medicare distribution business.
- DPL Financial Partners: DPL Financial Partners is an insurance distribution platform built specifically for independent financial advisors seeking access to annuities, life, and long-term care products. Like Berson-Sokol, DPL operates in the GA/IMO layer focused on producers rather than direct consumer sales.
- Gradient Financial Group: Gradient Financial Group is an FMO/IMO supporting independent agents with carrier access, agent contracting, and marketing support across life, annuity, and senior markets. Closely comparable in size and model to Berson-Sokol, with a similar product mix and producer-led distribution approach.
- Elite Insurance Partners: Elite Insurance Partners is an FMO focused on Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplements, and ancillary products distributed through independent agents. Directly comparable to Berson-Sokol's 75+ senior health carrier offering, both provide contracting, training, and back-office support to Medicare-focused producers.
Broad incumbents
- Integrity Marketing Group: Integrity Marketing Group is a large, PE-backed insurance aggregator that owns and operates numerous IMOs, FMOs, and agencies nationwide. Its portfolio spans life, annuities, Medicare, and senior health—overlapping fully with Berson-Sokol's product mix but with greater scale, capital, and tech investment in distribution.
- The Brokerage Inc. The Brokerage Inc. is Berson-Sokol's parent company following the 2024 acquisition and operates as a larger IMO/GA distributing life, annuity, LTC, and Medicare products through independent agents. Comparable business model at greater scale; serves as both parent and strategic reference point.
- OneDigital: OneDigital is a large insurance, financial services, and HR consulting firm that acquired Crump Life Insurance Services. It provides employer and individual benefits distribution across health, life, and retirement with significantly greater scale and a broader portfolio than Berson-Sokol's wholesale-agency model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Berson-Sokol Agency social profiles
Digital presenceBerson-Sokol Agency financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Berson-Sokol Agency leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Berson-Sokol Agency funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Berson-Sokol Agency M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Berson-Sokol Agency
What does Berson-Sokol Agency do?
Berson-Sokol Agency is a general agency (GA) and insurance marketing organization (IMO) that supports independent insurance agents and advisors. The agency provides carrier access across 40+ insurance partners, back-office support, technology platforms (24/7 quoting, e-apps, case status tracking, contracting, CRM, enrollment), case design and underwriting support, training, and competitive commissions paid directly from carriers. Its product portfolio spans life insurance, annuities, long term care, and senior health (Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplements, Medicare PDP, critical illness, hospital indemnity, final expense, dental/vision/hearing, and related lines).
Is Berson-Sokol Agency a public or private company?
Berson-Sokol Agency is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Berson-Sokol Agency founded?
Berson-Sokol Agency was founded in 1973. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Berson-Sokol Agency based?
Berson-Sokol Agency is headquartered in Cleveland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Berson-Sokol Agency make money?
One revenue line is on record: commission Overrides from Insurance Carriers.
Who are Berson-Sokol Agency's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ritter Insurance Marketing, Crump Life Insurance Services, Ash Brokerage, Senior Market Sales, DPL Financial Partners, Gradient Financial Group and Elite Insurance Partners. Broad incumbents are Integrity Marketing Group, The Brokerage Inc. and OneDigital.
Does Berson-Sokol Agency have an API?
No public API is recorded for Berson-Sokol Agency.
What industry is Berson-Sokol Agency in?
Berson-Sokol Agency's product category is Insurance General Agency Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAEADAK, Insurance Program Administration & MGA/MGU Services, with a secondary code of FSAIAGAH, Medicare Plan Distribution & Brokerage (Captive, Independent, FMOs). Its NAICS code is 524210 and its SIC code is 6411.