Ware Insurance

What Ware Insurance does

Ware Insurance (legal entity Ezra T. Summers, Inc.) is a privately held, family-owned independent insurance agency headquartered at 141 Business Park Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia, founded on March 1, 1961 by George H. Ware and continuously operated under Kellam-family leadership across three generations. The firm functions as a multi-carrier broker rather than a single-company agent, representing Selective, Travelers, EMC, Hartford, Sage Sure, AIG, Pure, and Progressive, and it distributes insurance products through business insurance specialists and account managers who execute consultative, risk-management-led selling cycles to commercial and personal lines clients. Its customer base spans construction, marine (including Jones Act and Jones Act-related shipbuilding/ship repair exposure), manufacturing, professional services, wholesale and distribution, architects/engineers/surveyors, multinational firms, employers seeking group benefits, and individuals/families seeking personal coverage.

The agency's product portfolio is broad and organized into Business Insurance (construction, international, marine, professional services, manufacturing, wholesale/distribution, architects/engineers/surveyors), Life & Health Insurance (group medical, dental, vision, life/AD&D, disability, HSA/FSA, key person, business overhead protection, association health plans/MEWA, ancillary benefits, individual life and disability), Claims Management with in-house advocacy, Personal & Family lines (home, auto, umbrella, flood, boat, recreational vehicles, valuable items), and Bonding Services (contract and commercial surety bonds). Supporting technology is operational rather than differentiated: a fully paperless document management system, the Ware Connect client portal (CSR24-based) for 24/7 policy access and claims reporting, AppliedPay for online billing, the Lossfreerx risk management resource for incident/OSHA/certificate tracking, and native iOS and Android mobile apps. No AI, machine learning, or proprietary analytics capabilities are disclosed.

Ware Insurance generates revenue through commissions paid by the insurance carriers it represents, with pricing on a quote-by-quote basis reflecting individual risk, coverage, industry, and carrier appetite. Distribution is sales-led and field-based, augmented by digital channels including the company website, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, plus community sponsorship activity (CHKD, Habitat for Humanity, Lynnhaven River Now, Noblemen, Rotary Club, Chanco on the James, Judeo-Christian Outreach Center) that supports brand and referral generation in the Hampton Roads region. The agency serves clients in all 50 U.S. states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and internationally, with the CEO personally managing a book of 162 commercial clients across 49 states and over a dozen countries. Headcount is approximately 25-30 team members across Business Leadership, Commercial Lines, Bonds, Personal Lines, and Administration, with staff holding industry designations such as CIC, CLCS, CRIS, CWCA, CPIA, CSST, SBCS, AIAM, ACSR, CISR, and CBIA.

Name

Ware Insurance

Legal name

Ezra T. Summers, Inc.

Website

https://wareinsurance.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ware Insurance is a family-owned independent insurance agency founded in 1961 and headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA. It delivers commercial, personal, life and health, and surety bond products to businesses, individuals, and multinational clients through multiple carrier partnerships and field-based consultative sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Insurance Agency

NAICS

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

SIC

Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411), Fire, Marine & Casualty Insurance (6331)

akta.pro primary industry

Ocean Marine Insurance (Hull, Cargo & Freight) (FSAJAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Specialty (Hull/P&I/Cargo) (FSAJAGAJ), Public Liability (Premises/Operations) (FSAJADAD)

Keywords

• Commercial insurance agency
• Independent insurance broker
• Construction surety bonds
• Marine insurance coverage
• Group benefits insurance

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Insurance Product Sales & Commissions: Revenue generated through commissions from multiple insurance carriers including property & casualty, life & health, and bonding products. As an independent agency, they represent multiple insurance companies (Selective, Travelers, EMC, Hartford, Sage Sure, AIG, Pure, Progressive) and earn commissions on policies placed.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ware Insurance is an independent insurance agency that places commercial and personal insurance coverage with multiple top-tier carriers, including property and casualty, marine, professional liability, workers compensation, life and health, and surety bonds. Service is delivered through dedicated business insurance specialists and personal lines consultants supported by in-house claims advocacy and a paperless client portal. Operating from Virginia Beach since 1961, the agency serves clients across all U.S. states, the Virgin Islands, and worldwide.

Product overview

Ware Insurance is a full-service independent insurance agency offering a comprehensive portfolio of insurance and risk management products. The core offering includes Business Insurance (covering construction, marine, professional services, manufacturing, wholesale/distribution, architects/engineers, and international markets) and Life & Health Insurance (group medical, dental, vision, life/AD&D, disability, HSA/FSA, key person coverage, business overhead protection, association health plans, and ancillary benefits). Supporting services include Claims Management with in-house advocacy, Personal & Family Insurance (home, auto, umbrella, flood, boat), and Bonding Services (contract and commercial surety bonds). The Ware Connect client portal provides digital access to policies, claims, and documents. The agency operates as a paperless office serving clients nationwide and internationally, representing multiple insurance carriers including Selective, Travelers, EMC, Hartford, Sage Sure, AIG, Pure, and Progressive.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Insurance Commercial insurance programs covering all major industry verticals with risk management consulting and customized coverage solutions.
• Construction Insurance Specialized insurance for construction contractors, developers, and builders including business insurance, group life and health, executive protection, international coverage, marine, design professional exposure, pollution coverage, and contract bonds.
• Marine Insurance Marine liability, U.S. Longshoremen, Jones Act, and Hull insurance for shipbuilding, ship repair, marine design, drilling operations, fleet operations, and dredging.
• Professional Services Insurance Professional liability and errors & omissions coverage for attorneys, designers, architects, engineers, and medical professionals.
• Manufacturing Insurance Insurance programs for manufacturing operations, addressing supply chain, technology, and operational risks.
• Wholesale and Distribution Insurance Coverage for wholesale and distribution businesses including property and casualty, supply chain insurance, warehouse coverage, and distribution liability.
• Architects, Engineers and Surveyors Insurance Professional liability and errors & omissions coverage designed for architects, engineers, and surveyors.
• International Insurance Global coverage for multinational firms including general liability, D&O, professional liability, employee benefits, international workers compensation, crime, automobile/fleet, yacht, aviation, cyber liability, and Defense Base Act.
• Life & Health Insurance Group and individual life, health, and benefits insurance including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, HSA/FSA, and ancillary benefits.
• Group Medical Insurance Traditional and self-funded group medical plans with age-based and composite rating options, ranging from low co-pays to high deductibles.
• Group Dental Insurance Employer-sponsored dental coverage promoting dental hygiene and overall employee health.
• Group Vision Insurance Employer-sponsored vision insurance covering eye exams, glasses, and contacts, with potential for early detection of conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
• Group Life / AD&D Insurance Group whole life and term life insurance with AD&D coverage, benefit amounts from $5,000 to $150,000, with spouse and children options.
• Group Disability Insurance Group long-term and short-term disability coverage protecting employees' ability to earn income, with back-to-work incentives.
• HSA & FSA Administration Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts allowing tax-free reimbursement for deductibles, copays, and coinsurance with payroll deduction options.
• Key Person Life & Disability Insurance Insurance protection for businesses against the unexpected death of a key employee, covering replacement costs and client relationship recovery.
• Business Overhead Protection Reimbursement coverage for business overhead expenses including mortgage/lease payments, employee wages, utilities, and insurance premiums if the owner becomes disabled.
• Association Health Plans Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA) allowing small businesses to join together to purchase health insurance in the large group market.
• Ancillary Benefits Voluntary benefits including life and disability at group rates, payable tax-deferred through payroll deduction at no additional cost to employers.
• Individual Life Insurance Individual life insurance for personal financial planning including mortgage payoff, debt, estate taxes, retirement cash flow, inheritance equalization, college funding, and charitable contributions.
• Individual Disability Insurance Short-term and long-term disability coverage for individuals unable to work due to injury or illness, commonly for musculoskeletal, cancer, and cardiovascular conditions.
• Claims Management Services In-house claims advocacy program with licensed agents guiding clients through the claims process from filing to carrier and adjuster coordination.
• Personal & Family Insurance Property and casualty coverage for individuals and families including home, auto, umbrella, flood, boat, recreational vehicles, and scheduled valuables like fine arts and jewelry.
• Bonding Services Surety bonds including contract bonds (bid, performance/payment, maintenance, supply) for construction and commercial bonds (license/permit, court, fiduciary/probate, public official, miscellaneous).

Named customers2 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, community, industry and regional.

• SelectivecoreOthersInsurance carrier represented by Ware Insurance for commercial insurance products
• TravelerscoreOthersInsurance carrier represented by Ware Insurance for commercial insurance products
• EMCcoreOthersInsurance carrier represented by Ware Insurance for commercial insurance products
• HartfordcoreOthersInsurance carrier represented by Ware Insurance for commercial insurance products
• Sage SurecoreOthersInsurance carrier represented by Ware Insurance for commercial insurance products
• AIGcoreOthersInsurance carrier represented by Ware Insurance for commercial and specialty insurance products
• PurecoreOthersInsurance carrier represented by Ware Insurance for specialty insurance products
• ProgressivecoreOthersInsurance carrier represented by Ware Insurance for commercial insurance products
• Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters (CHKD)communityOthersCommunity sponsorship partner - Ware Insurance supports CHKD through charitable giving and community involvement
• Habitat for HumanitycommunityOthersCommunity sponsorship partner - Ware Insurance supports Habitat for Humanity building initiatives
• Lynnhaven River NowcommunityOthersEnvironmental organization supported by Ware Insurance through community involvement
• NoblemencommunityOthersCommunity organization supported by Ware Insurance through sponsorship
• Rotary ClubcommunityOthersEdwin Kellam is a past President and Paul Harris Fellow of Virginia Beach Rotary Club; organization supported through membership and sponsorship
• Chanco on the JamescommunityOthersCamp and Conference Center supported by Ware Insurance; Michael Kellam serves on the Board
• Judeo-Christian Outreach CentercommunityOthersNon-profit organization supported by Ware Insurance through community involvement
• Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big I)industryOthersNational association membership providing industry resources, Best Practices program, and professional development
• Reagan ConsultingindustryOthersManagement consulting firm partnering with IIABA for the Best Practices Study analyzing top-performing insurance agencies
• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)industryStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrade association membership providing networking, safety committees, and industry resources; Michael Kellam participates in ABC Networking and Involvement group and Safety Committee
• Associated General Contractors of Virginia (AGC)industryStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrade association membership for construction industry; Michael Kellam co-chairs AGC Young Professionals Group and serves on Membership Committee
• Hampton Roads Economic Development AllianceregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development organization supported by Ware Insurance for business development and community engagement
• Hampton Roads Association for Commercial Real Estate (HRACRE)industryOthersTrade association membership; Michael Kellam serves on HRACRE Showcase Committee

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Insurance Office of America (IOA): IOA is a large, privately held independent insurance agency placing commercial and personal lines through multiple carriers. Comparably structured to Ware Insurance — independent agency model, multi-carrier representation, emphasis on risk management consulting, and relationship-led sales — but at substantially greater scale.
• Hilb Group: Hilb Group acquires and operates mid-market independent insurance agencies across the U.S., preserving local autonomy while providing shared resources. Direct peer to Ware in operating model, target market (mid-market commercial), and multi-carrier representation, with overlap in construction, marine, and professional services verticals.
• Burns & Wilcox: Burns & Wilcox is a specialty wholesale insurance brokerage and underwriting manager with deep marine and excess/surplus lines expertise. Comparable to Ware's marine insurance practice (Jones Act, Longshoremen, Hull) and specialty placement capabilities, though operating on the wholesale rather than retail side of the distribution chain.
• RPS (Risk Placement Services): RPS is a specialty insurance brokerage placing complex commercial risks across E&S and admitted markets. Directly comparable to Ware's specialty commercial practice in marine, construction, professional liability, and international exposures.
• Brown & Riding Insurance Services: Brown & Riding is a wholesale insurance brokerage focused on commercial specialty lines including construction, marine, and professional liability. Comparable to Ware on specialty placement model, multi-carrier wholesale relationships, and construction risk expertise.

Broad incumbents

• Amwins Group: Amwins is the largest U.S. specialty wholesale insurance broker and underwriting manager with deep marine and construction expertise. Overlaps with Ware in marine insurance and E&S placement, but at vastly larger scale and with proprietary underwriting capacity that Ware does not have.
• Acrisure: Acrisure is a global insurance brokerage built through aggressive roll-up acquisitions of independent agencies. Directly comparable to Ware in independent agency roots and multi-line commercial focus, but at far greater scale; Acrisure represents the consolidation pressure independent regional agencies face.
• USI Insurance Services: USI is one of the largest U.S. insurance brokerages serving middle-market and large commercial clients across property/casualty, employee benefits, and specialty lines. Comparable in commercial insurance and risk management services to Ware, but at much greater scale and with national infrastructure.
• NFP (an Aon company): NFP is a U.S.-based insurance brokerage, benefits consultant, and wealth management firm acquired by Aon, specializing in middle-market commercial and personal lines. Comparable to Ware in multi-line independent agency model and middle-market commercial focus, though at dramatically larger scale.
• Marsh McLennon: Marsh is the world's largest insurance broker and risk advisor. Overlaps with Ware in commercial property/casualty, marine, construction, and professional liability placement, but operates as a global incumbent rather than a community-rooted independent agency.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/wareinsurance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ware-insurance
• Instagraminstagram.com/wareinsurance
• Xx.com/WareInsurance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Ware Insurance