WinStar Insurance Group
WinStar Insurance Group is a privately held Texas-based specialty insurance agency placing customized coverage for craft beverage producers, small Texas municipalities, water utilities, EMS providers, child care, restaurants, dental practices, and employee benefits exclusively in Texas and New Mexico.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersCedar Park, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What WinStar Insurance Group does
WinStar Insurance Group LLC is a privately held, Texas-based specialty insurance agency founded in 1982 as Regnier & Associates and rebranded under its current name in October 2016 after a change of ownership. The firm places customized insurance policies on behalf of clients across a deliberately narrow set of verticals: craft beverage producers (breweries, wineries, distilleries), Texas municipalities with populations up to 30,000, water and wastewater utilities, commercial ambulance/EMS providers, child care facilities, restaurants, dental practices, and employee benefits. It operates exclusively in Texas and New Mexico, has between 11 and 50 employees, and is currently solely owned by President Stephanie Dew following the January 1, 2023 retirement of the prior co-owners.
The company functions as a distribution intermediary rather than a carrier: it represents multiple insurance carriers and earns commissions on placed premium, supplemented by fee-based services such as in-house claims handling and AppliedPAY-powered online payments. Product offerings are organized as distinct vertical programs rather than a unified platform, with affiliated sub-brands VFIS of Texas (firefighters, paramedics, EMTs) and AIA Insurance Agency (water utilities). Distribution combines licensed direct sales executives and account managers assigned by vertical, online quote requests, and referral partnerships through guilds and the Texas Municipal League. Revenue is recurring and quote-based, with pricing varying by business type, risk profile, and coverage needs; no public pricing, revenue, or premium-volume figures are disclosed.
The business is supported by a vertically segmented team structure (sales managers and account/claims specialists per line of business) and trade-association presence across multiple states' craft brewer guilds and the Texas Municipal League. The technology footprint is limited to Applied Systems' agency management platform with AppliedPAY for online payments; there are no proprietary AI/ML capabilities, no APIs or SDKs, and no mobile app. WinStar has been recognized as an IIABA Best Practices Agency for four consecutive years through 2023, distinguishing it among U.S. independent agencies but not constituting a public or third-party-validated performance benchmark.
WinStar Insurance Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- WinStar Insurance Group
- Legal name
- WinStar Insurance Group LLC
- Website
- https://winstarins.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1982
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- WinStar Insurance Group is a privately held Texas-based specialty insurance agency placing customized coverage for craft beverage producers, small Texas municipalities, water utilities, EMS providers, child care, restaurants, dental practices, and employee benefits exclusively in Texas and New Mexico.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
WinStar Insurance Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Commercial Insurance Brokerage
- NAICS
- Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (52421), Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities (5242), Insurance Carriers and Related Activities (524)
- SIC
- Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411), Surety Insurance (6351)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Restaurants, Bars & Food Service BOP (FSAJAFAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Nonprofit / Social Services BOP (FSAJAFAM), Large Commercial Package (National Accounts) (FSAJAFAC)
Keywords
Where WinStar Insurance Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cedar Park
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
WinStar Insurance Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Insurance Premiums and Commissions: WinStar Insurance Group generates revenue by placing insurance policies for clients and earning commissions from insurance carriers. The company represents multiple insurance carriers to provide customized coverage for niche industries including craft beverage (breweries, wineries, distilleries), water utilities, municipalities, childcare, restaurants, dental practices, and commercial ambulances.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | — | Customized insurance coverage tailored to niche industry needs |
| Transaction based/ take rate | — | Online payment processing for existing policyholders |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
WinStar Insurance Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WinStar Insurance Group is a niche commercial insurance agency that places customized insurance programs with multiple carriers for specialized industries in Texas and New Mexico. Its core offerings are industry-specific insurance packages for craft beverage producers (breweries, wineries, distilleries), water and wastewater utilities, Texas municipalities, child care centers, restaurants, dental practices, and commercial ambulance/EMS operators, supplemented by employee benefits and cyber liability coverage. Revenue is generated primarily by earning commissions from insurance carriers on the policies placed.
Product overview
WinStar Insurance Group is a niche industry insurance agency providing customized insurance programs for select industries in Texas and New Mexico. Originally founded as Regnier & Associates in 1982, the company rebranded to WinStar Insurance Group LLC in 2016 under new ownership and became solely owned by President Stephanie Dew in January 2023. The portfolio consists of multiple specialized insurance programs: the core craft beverage vertical (Brewery Insurance, Winery Insurance, Distillery Insurance) for craft producers; Restaurant Insurance offered with carrier partner Rainbow; Child Care Insurance for child care facilities; Municipality Insurance for small Texas cities; Commercial Ambulance Insurance for EMS providers; Dental Program for dental practices; and Employee Benefits covering medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and supplemental coverage. The company also offers Cyber Liability Insurance as a standalone product, In-House Claims servicing, and manages affiliated programs VFIS of Texas (for firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs) and AIA Insurance Agency (for water and wastewater utilities). The offering is structured as a collection of distinct, industry-specific insurance programs rather than a unified platform with shared modules.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Brewery Insurance Comprehensive insurance program for breweries and brewpubs covering property, liability, equipment breakdown, product withdrawal reimbursement, commercial auto, workers compensation, and liquor liability, designed for craft beverage producers in Texas and New Mexico.
- Winery Insurance Insurance coverage tailored for wineries, including workers' compensation, builder's risk policy, and winery bonds.
- Distillery Insurance Specialized insurance for distilleries, covering workers' compensation, builder's risk policy, and distillery bonds.
- Water District Insurance Insurance coverage for water and wastewater service providers, offered through AIA Insurance Agency under the WinStar umbrella.
- Restaurant Insurance Restaurant insurance program offered in partnership with carrier Rainbow, providing coverages including general liability, property, auto, liquor liability, workers' compensation, management liability, and optional add-ons such as assault and battery, cyber, and food borne illness coverage, with variable monthly premiums and a no-audit commitment.
- Child Care Insurance Insurance coverage for child care centers and daycares, addressing state compliance, liability claims, and operational risks specific to childcare operations.
- Municipality Insurance Comprehensive insurance for Texas municipalities with up to 30,000 residents, covering property, liability, auto, crime, inland marine, public officials liability, law enforcement, workers' compensation, cyber liability, excess liability, and employee benefits.
- Dental Program Insurance program for dental practices, covering healthcare professional liability, general liability, property, auto, and workers' compensation.
- Employee Benefits Employee benefits services including medical, dental, and vision, short- and long-term disability, life, accident, cancer, supplemental coverage, and employee assistance programs, offered as a horizontal service to clients across WinStar's verticals.
- Commercial Ambulance Insurance Insurance coverage for commercial ambulances and EMS operations, with risk control tools covering vehicle operations, administrative operations, personnel management, and general risks, delivered through the VFIS of Texas program.
- Cyber Liability Insurance Cybersecurity and cyber liability insurance covering security breach liability, website media content, payment card costs, regulatory costs, media liability, extortion and ransom payments, business income and extra expense, data restoration costs, reputational harm, social engineering, business interruption, bricking costs, cyber crime loss, and crypto jacking, offered in partnership with Cowbell.
Companies that use WinStar Insurance Group
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles7 records
WinStar Insurance Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
WinStar Insurance Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Texas Craft Brewers GuildcoreWinStar Insurance Group is a Proud Allied Trade Member and Member of the Texas Craft Brewers Guild, providing specialized insurance coverage for breweries and brewpubs throughout Texas.
- New Mexico Craft Brewers GuildcoreProud New Mexico Craft Brewers Guild Member providing brewery insurance services in New Mexico.
- Oklahoma Craft Brewers GuildcoreProud Oklahoma Craft Brewers Guild Member providing brewery insurance services in Oklahoma.
- Texas Municipal LeaguecorePremier Associate Member of the Texas Municipal League, providing insurance solutions for Texas municipalities with up to 30,000 residents.
- VFIS of TexascoreWinStar insures Texas firefighters, paramedics and EMTs through VFIS of Texas, a specialized insurance program for emergency services.
- AIA Insurance AgencycoreWinStar provides water and wastewater utility insurance through AIA Insurance Agency, serving water and waste water service providers.
- Rainbow (Restaurant Insurance Carrier)coreWinStar partners with Rainbow to serve restaurant business owners with tailored coverages, effective loss control strategies, and variable monthly premiums including a no-audit commitment.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
WinStar Insurance Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- AmwINS Group: Largest U.S. specialty wholesale insurance distributor, providing carrier access and program support to retail agencies like WinStar — comparable as an ecosystem enabler rather than direct competitor.
Emerging players
- Founder Shield: Tech-enabled insurance brokerage specializing in niche commercial verticals (startups, tech, beverage) — comparable in vertical-specialization thesis to WinStar but with a digital-first model that contrasts WinStar's relationship-led approach.
Direct peers
- RPS (Risk Placement Services): Specialty insurance wholesale/retail broker focused on niche commercial verticals with strong carrier relationships and program-business expertise — analogous to WinStar's specialty-program approach across craft beverage, EMS, and municipal lines.
- Brown & Riding Insurance Services: Specialty wholesale insurance broker building industry-specific programs and working with retail agents to place niche commercial risks — comparable to WinStar's program-business model across craft beverage, water utilities, and EMS.
- Insurance Office of America: Large independent U.S. insurance agency offering property/casualty, employee benefits, and personal lines through a direct sales force — comparable to WinStar in operating model, multi-vertical specialization, and use of carrier partnerships to deliver industry-specific programs.
- Heffernan Insurance Brokers: Mid-to-large independent insurance brokerage with deep vertical specialization and in-house claims expertise serving niche commercial segments — directly comparable to WinStar's relationship-led, vertical-specialist agency model.
- Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool: Risk pool providing insurance and risk management specifically to Texas municipalities — directly competes with WinStar's municipality insurance program within the same Texas Municipal League distribution channel.
Broad incumbents
- Hub International: Large North American insurance brokerage with significant middle-market and specialty commercial practices — comparable to WinStar in serving SMB/mid-market commercial clients but operating nationally with deeper carrier and capital backing.
- USI Insurance Services: National insurance brokerage offering property/casualty, employee benefits, and specialty lines across all major verticals — overlaps WinStar's commercial package offerings but at vastly larger scale and with broader geographic reach.
- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Global insurance brokerage and risk management firm with extensive specialty practice groups covering municipalities, hospitality/restaurants, and craft producers — represents the broad-incumbent competitive benchmark for WinStar's vertical specialty work.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses1 record
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
WinStar Insurance Group social profiles
Digital presenceWinStar Insurance Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
WinStar Insurance Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
WinStar Insurance Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
WinStar Insurance Group 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 WinStar Insurance Group
What does WinStar Insurance Group do?
WinStar Insurance Group is a niche commercial insurance agency that places customized insurance programs with multiple carriers for specialized industries in Texas and New Mexico. Its core offerings are industry-specific insurance packages for craft beverage producers (breweries, wineries, distilleries), water and wastewater utilities, Texas municipalities, child care centers, restaurants, dental practices, and commercial ambulance/EMS operators, supplemented by employee benefits and cyber liability coverage. Revenue is generated primarily by earning commissions from insurance carriers on the policies placed.
Is WinStar Insurance Group a public or private company?
WinStar Insurance Group is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was WinStar Insurance Group founded?
WinStar Insurance Group was founded in 1982. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is WinStar Insurance Group based?
WinStar Insurance Group is headquartered in Cedar Park, United States, in the North America region.
How does WinStar Insurance Group make money?
One revenue line is on record: insurance Premiums and Commissions.
Who are WinStar Insurance Group's main competitors?
AmwINS Group is listed as an others. Founder Shield is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are RPS (Risk Placement Services), Brown & Riding Insurance Services, Insurance Office of America, Heffernan Insurance Brokers and Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool. Broad incumbents are Hub International, USI Insurance Services and Arthur J. Gallagher & Co..
Does WinStar Insurance Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for WinStar Insurance Group.
What industry is WinStar Insurance Group in?
WinStar Insurance Group's product category is Specialty Commercial Insurance Brokerage. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAJAFAG, Restaurants, Bars & Food Service BOP, with a secondary code of FSAJAFAM, Nonprofit / Social Services BOP. Its NAICS code is 52421 and its SIC code is 6411.