R.K.Tongue
R.K. Tongue Co., Inc. is a family-owned independent insurance agency and brokerage founded in 1911, placing commercial, personal, employee benefits, and worksite/voluntary coverage across 31 states for healthcare professionals, attorneys, SMBs, and government employee associations through 20+ carrier partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1911
- HeadquartersBaltimore, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What R.K.Tongue does
R.K. Tongue Co., Inc. is a fully independent insurance agency and brokerage founded in 1911 in Baltimore, Maryland, and currently headquartered in Nottingham, MD. The firm is family-owned across three generations and operates four practice groups: Professional & Commercial Markets, Group Benefits, Personal Insurance, and Worksite/Voluntary Benefits Marketing. It is licensed in 31 U.S. states and places business with 20+ insurance carriers including Hartford, Liberty Mutual, Aflac, AIG, Chubb, Travelers, Prudential, and United Healthcare.
The company's core offering is multi-carrier insurance placement and risk advisory, with specialized programs for healthcare professionals (dental, medical, optometry, veterinary), attorneys and CPAs, government employee associations, small and mid-sized businesses, and high-net-worth individuals. Products span professional liability, cyber liability, commercial property and casualty, group health/dental/vision, 401(k), voluntary/worksite benefits with proprietary payroll deduction infrastructure, and personal lines including classic car, yacht, and wedding coverage. Technology assets are limited to a relationship-driven service model supplemented by interactive clickable coverage graphics on the company website.
R.K. Tongue earns revenue primarily through insurance brokerage commissions on policies placed across its carrier relationships, supplemented by professional services fees for benefits administration, compliance resources, and policy services. Distribution relies on licensed agents and brokers supported by association endorsements with the Virginia Dental Association, D.C. Dental Society, Maryland Classified Employees Association, the SSA Employee Activities Association, and an exclusive relationship with the Vermont State Employees Association. The firm serves as a "single nerve center" for clients' insurance and financial planning needs, including wealth management delivered through affiliated entities.
R.K.Tongue firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- R.K.Tongue
- Legal name
- R. K. Tongue Co., Inc.
- Website
- https://rktongue.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1911
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- R.K. Tongue Co., Inc. is a family-owned independent insurance agency and brokerage founded in 1911, placing commercial, personal, employee benefits, and worksite/voluntary coverage across 31 states for healthcare professionals, attorneys, SMBs, and government employee associations through 20+ carrier partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
R.K.Tongue industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Insurance Brokerage
- NAICS
- Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (524210)
- SIC
- Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Medicare Plan Distribution & Brokerage (Captive, Independent, FMOs) (FSAIAGAH)
Keywords
Where R.K.Tongue is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Baltimore
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
R.K.Tongue business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Insurance Brokerage Commissions: As an independent insurance agency and brokerage, R.K. Tongue earns commissions from placing insurance policies across multiple carrier relationships. The agency offers products through various platforms including individual, group and association arrangements.
- Professional Services Fees: Service consulting fees for benefits administration, compliance resources, and policy services for employers and individuals
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Quote-based insurance pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
R.K.Tongue product offering
Product offeringCore offering
R. K. Tongue Co., Inc. is a fully independent insurance agency and brokerage that places business, personal, employee benefits, and Medicare insurance coverage on behalf of clients across 31 U.S. states through relationships with 20+ insurance carriers. The agency also offers proprietary risk management programs tailored to healthcare and legal professionals and proprietary payroll deduction enrollment services for voluntary benefits to federal, state, and municipal employee groups.
Product overview
R.K. Tongue Co., Inc. is a fully independent insurance agency and brokerage offering a comprehensive portfolio of insurance products and financial services through multiple business units. The company operates four practice groups: Professional & Commercial Markets (property, casualty, life, and health insurance for businesses and healthcare specialists including dentists, attorneys, physicians, and veterinarians); Group Benefits (medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance for small and mid-sized employers); Personal Insurance (auto, home, classic car, yacht, and high net worth coverage); and Worksite/Voluntary Benefits Marketing (payroll deduction enrollment for voluntary benefits to government employee associations). Products include industry-specific coverages such as Dental Practice Insurance, Legal Professional Insurance, Cyber Liability Insurance, Trucking Insurance, and Wedding Insurance, alongside standard business and personal insurance lines. The company also provides wealth management, financial services, and proprietary risk management programs through affiliated entities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Dental Practice Insurance
- Medical Practice Insurance
- Professional Services Insurance
- Legal Professional Insurance
- Veterinary Office Insurance
- Trucking Insurance
- Golf Course Insurance
- Distillery Insurance
- Jewelers Insurance
- Transportation Insurance
- Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Insurance
- Business Owners Insurance
- General Liability Insurance
- Commercial Umbrella Insurance
- Business Auto Insurance
- Commercial Property Insurance
- Cyber Liability Insurance
- Workers' Compensation Insurance
- Employment Practice Liability Insurance (EPLI)
- Surety Bond
- Group Health Insurance
- Group Dental Insurance
- Group Vision Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Group Disability Insurance
- Voluntary Benefits with Payroll Deduction
- Home Insurance
- Auto Insurance
- Classic Car Insurance
- Yacht Insurance
- High Net Worth Insurance
- Individual Life Insurance
- Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Umbrella Insurance
- Wedding Insurance
- Medicare Plans
- Hospital Indemnity Plans
- Wealth Management and Financial Services
Quantifiable outcome
- 112+ years of continuous independent operation
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use R.K.Tongue
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments11 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
R.K.Tongue technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
R.K.Tongue partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- AflaccoreInsurance carrier partner offering supplemental insurance products including accident, cancer, and short-term disability coverage.
- AIGcoreMajor insurance carrier partner providing property and casualty, casualty, and specialty insurance solutions.
- Blue Cross Blue ShieldcoreHealth insurance carrier partner providing medical and health insurance coverage options.
- Boston Mutual InsurancecoreInsurance carrier partner offering life and health insurance products, notably serving Vermont State Employees Association members.
- CareFirstcoreRegional health insurance carrier serving Maryland, D.C., and Northern Virginia areas.
- ChubbcoreGlobal insurance carrier providing property and casualty insurance solutions for individuals and businesses.
- CNAcoreCommercial insurance carrier specializing in business insurance including property, liability, and specialty coverages.
- Guardian LifecoreInsurance carrier partner offering life, disability, and dental insurance products.
- The HartfordcoreFeatured insurance carrier partner prominently displayed as a key partner, providing business and personal insurance products.
- Liberty MutualcoreFeatured insurance carrier partner prominently displayed as a key partner, offering personal and business insurance products.
- Lincoln Financial GroupcoreFinancial services and insurance partner offering life insurance, annuities, and retirement plan services.
- PrincipalcoreInsurance and financial services partner offering retirement, insurance, and asset management products.
- PrudentialcoreMajor financial services and insurance carrier partner offering life insurance and retirement solutions.
- TravelerscoreProperty and casualty insurance carrier partner offering business and personal insurance products.
- United HealthcarecoreMajor health insurance carrier partner providing medical coverage options including Medicare plans.
- UnumcoreInsurance carrier partner offering employee benefits including life, disability, and voluntary benefits.
- ZurichcoreGlobal insurance carrier partner providing commercial and specialty insurance solutions.
- Virginia Dental Association (VDA)flagshipEndorsed insurance provider for VDA members offering specialized dental practice insurance programs including malpractice, property, and cyber liability coverage.
- D.C. Dental Society (DCDS)coreEndorsed insurance provider for DCDS members offering dental practice-specific insurance solutions.
- Maryland Classified Employees Association (MCEA)coreEndorsed insurance provider for MCEA members offering employee benefits and insurance products.
- Employee Activities Association of the Social Security Administration (EAA)coreEndorsed insurance provider for SSA employees offering voluntary benefits with payroll deduction.
- Vermont State Employees Association (VSEA)flagshipExclusive benefits provider for VSEA members and families offering life insurance, short-term disability, accident, hospital indemnity, and cancer insurance with guaranteed-issue policies and payroll deduction convenience. Tammy Whelan serves as dedicated VSEA Benefits Administrator.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights3 records
R.K.Tongue competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hilb Group: Mid-Atlantic-headquartered independent insurance brokerage built largely through acquisitions of regional agencies, with comparable specialty focus on professional and commercial lines and a similar multi-carrier independent model.
- Heffernan Insurance Brokers: Privately held independent brokerage serving businesses and individuals through multiple practice groups, including professional services and employee benefits — closely mirrors R.K. Tongue's multi-segment, relationship-driven model.
- RPS (Risk Placement Services): Specialty wholesale and retail insurance broker with deep expertise in professional liability and niche industry programs — directly comparable in its focus on profession-specific insurance products distributed through independent agency channels.
- PayneWest Insurance: Regional independent insurance agency with practice groups spanning commercial, personal, and employee benefits — comparable multi-segment structure and carrier-agnostic positioning, though operating in the Pacific Northwest rather than Mid-Atlantic.
- Brown & Riding Insurance Services: Privately held specialty insurance brokerage focused on professional services and niche industry programs — analogous to R.K. Tongue in its proprietary program development and vertical specialization.
- Lyons Companies: Regional insurance and benefits brokerage serving professional services clients in the Mid-Atlantic — most directly comparable in size, geography, and emphasis on healthcare and professional liability specialties.
Broad incumbents
- USI Insurance Services: Large national insurance brokerage with comprehensive commercial, personal, and employee benefits practices — overlaps significantly with R.K. Tongue's four-segment model but at substantially greater scale and geographic reach.
- Marsh McLennan Agency: Middle-market arm of Marsh McLennan offering employee benefits, commercial, and personal insurance through regional offices — competes for the same professional and SMB accounts but with national delivery capability.
- AssuredPartners: National insurance brokerage assembled through acquisitions of regional independents, with overlapping practice areas in commercial, personal, and benefits — represents the consolidator model R.K. Tongue has resisted.
Emerging players
- Next Insurance: Digital-first insurtech offering small business and professional liability coverage direct online — relevant both as a competitive threat to traditional brokerage and as an existing carrier partner referenced in R.K. Tongue's distribution mix.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
R.K.Tongue social profiles
Digital presenceR.K.Tongue financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
R.K.Tongue leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
R.K.Tongue funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
R.K.Tongue 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 R.K.Tongue
What does R.K.Tongue do?
R. K. Tongue Co., Inc. is a fully independent insurance agency and brokerage that places business, personal, employee benefits, and Medicare insurance coverage on behalf of clients across 31 U.S. states through relationships with 20+ insurance carriers. The agency also offers proprietary risk management programs tailored to healthcare and legal professionals and proprietary payroll deduction enrollment services for voluntary benefits to federal, state, and municipal employee groups.
Is R.K.Tongue a public or private company?
R.K.Tongue is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was R.K.Tongue founded?
R.K.Tongue was founded in 1911. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is R.K.Tongue based?
R.K.Tongue is headquartered in Baltimore, United States, in the North America region.
How does R.K.Tongue make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Insurance Brokerage Commissions are the primary driver. The others are professional Services Fees.
Who are R.K.Tongue's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hilb Group, Heffernan Insurance Brokers, RPS (Risk Placement Services), PayneWest Insurance, Brown & Riding Insurance Services and Lyons Companies. Broad incumbents are USI Insurance Services, Marsh McLennan Agency and AssuredPartners. Next Insurance is listed as an emerging player.
Does R.K.Tongue have an API?
No public API is recorded for R.K.Tongue.
What industry is R.K.Tongue in?
R.K.Tongue's product category is Insurance Brokerage. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAIAGAH, Medicare Plan Distribution & Brokerage (Captive, Independent, FMOs). Its NAICS code is 524210 and its SIC code is 6411.