LBW Insurance and Financial Services

What LBW Insurance and Financial Services does

LBW Insurance and Financial Services is an independent insurance agency and financial services firm headquartered at 28055 Smyth Drive in Valencia, California, founded in 1922 and now operating as "Foundation Risk Partners DBA LBW Insurance and Financial Services." The firm is licensed in all 50 U.S. states with international capabilities and exclusively represents AM Best A-rated carriers. It serves two primary client segments: business owners (small, mid-market, and enterprise accounts) seeking commercial insurance, group benefits, workers' compensation, property and casualty, and retirement plans; and individuals and families seeking life, long-term care, disability, personal lines, and financial planning services. A multi-generational family business, LBW has built specialty practices in cannabis, construction, entertainment, restaurants, technology/cyber (Tech Secure program), commercial real estate, non-profits, professionals, and distributors/manufacturers.

The firm's product portfolio is delivered through licensed carrier relationships and affiliate financial entities. Insurance distribution generates commission-based revenue across AM Best A-rated carriers, while financial services flow through SEC-registered PFG Advisors (investment advisory) and FINRA/SIPC broker-dealers United Planners Financial Services and Osaic Wealth (securities). Retirement plan services include 401(k), 403(b), profit sharing, cash balance, defined benefit, and SIMPLE IRA administration, with a pooled MEAP offering through the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce and Lincoln Financial Group. The core client-facing technology is the InsurLink portal (web, iOS, Android), powered by Vertafore, providing 24/7 access to Auto ID Cards, Certificates of Insurance, and policy documents. Differentiated services include the White Glove Assessment for business owners and C-suite executives and the Tech Secure cyber insurance program for technology companies and MSPs/MSSPs.

The go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven, executed through phone outreach (888-522-7805), website lead capture, blog content marketing, email communications, and direct client meetings. Pricing is quote-based rather than standardized, with insurance premiums varying by coverage type, risk profile, and carrier, and advisory fees disclosed via Form CRS relationship summaries. Strategic partnerships extend distribution: StandardC is the preferred cannabis insurance channel (2021), Lincoln Financial Group administers the MEAP retirement platform, and Pepperdine Graziadio Business School co-presents executive cyber risk education. The firm has ~14 listed team members led by President and CEO Mitzi Like, with recent leadership promotions and 2024 recognition on the LA Business Journal Best Places to Work list.

Name

LBW Insurance and Financial Services

Legal name

Foundation Risk Partners DBA LBW Insurance and Financial Services

Website

https://lbwinsurance.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LBW Insurance and Financial Services is an independent insurance agency and financial planning firm in Valencia, CA, founded in 1922 and licensed across all 50 U.S. states. It serves businesses and individuals with commercial insurance, group benefits, retirement plans, and personal lines through AM Best A-rated carriers and FINRA/SIPC affiliates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Insurance Brokerage

NAICS

Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (52421)

SIC

Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)

akta.pro primary industry

High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHP) with HSA-Eligible Coverage (FSAIAFAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Whole Life Insurance (FSAIABAA), Basic Group Term Life (Employer-Paid) (FSAIADAA), Hired & Non-Owned Auto (FSAJABAE)

Keywords

• Commercial insurance brokerage
• Employee benefits consulting
• Retirement plan services
• Personal insurance advisory
• Financial planning services

Headquarters

HQ city

Valencia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Insurance Products: Commissions earned from selling various insurance products including group benefits, workers compensation, property and casualty, life insurance, long term care, disability insurance, and personal insurance. LBW works as an independent agency representing multiple AM Best A-rated carriers.
2. Financial Services: Financial planning and portfolio management services including advisory fees, managed account fees, and securities transactions offered through affiliated registered investment advisors and broker-dealers including PFG Advisors, LLC and United Planners Financial Services.
3. Retirement Plan Services: 401(k), 403(b), profit sharing, cash balance, defined benefit plans, and SIMPLE IRA administration and consulting services for plan sponsors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

LBW Insurance and Financial Services is an independent insurance agency licensed in all 50 states that sells commercial insurance (property and casualty, workers' compensation, group benefits, professional liability), individual insurance (life, long-term care, disability, homeowners, auto), and financial services (retirement plan design and administration, financial planning, and portfolio management). It represents multiple AM Best A-rated carriers and offers its work through an in-house team of advisors, with a 24/7 client portal called InsurLink powered by Vertafore.

Product overview

LBW Insurance and Financial Services operates as an independent insurance agency offering a comprehensive portfolio of insurance and financial services. The core offering includes Commercial Insurance (Property and Casualty, Workers' Compensation, Group Benefits), Individual Insurance (Life, Long Term Care, Disability, Personal Insurance), and Financial Planning (Retirement Plans, Portfolio Management). The primary client-facing technology product is InsurLink, a 24/7 web and mobile client portal powered by Vertafore that provides document access, Auto ID Cards, and Certificate management. The White Glove Assessment service provides risk analysis for business owners. Retirement planning services include 401(k), 403(b), and SIMPLE IRA options, with a specialized MEAP program for small businesses through SCV Chamber. Specialty programs include Tech Secure for technology/cyber insurance and Cannabis Industry Coverage. The company maintains an informational blog covering insurance, financial planning, and regulatory compliance topics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• White Glove Assessment: A risk management process specifically for business owners and C-suite executives that shoring up personal vulnerabilities the business creates for the owner's home, family, and way of life, including analysis of home, auto, life, and other policies.
• Tech Secure
• Multiple Employer Aggregation Program (MEAP)

Products and services

• InsurLink Client Portal

Named customers5 records

Segments11 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• StandardCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2021Strategic partnership with StandardC, a platform connecting pre-vetted, licensed cannabis entities with financial institutions and service providers. LBW serves as StandardC's preferred insurance partner, providing specialized insurance, risk, and safety solutions to cannabis industry clients through the StandardC online platform.
• Lincoln Financial GroupcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with Lincoln Financial Group as the retirement plan provider for the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce Multiple Employer Aggregation Program (MEAP). Lincoln Financial Group oversees the 401(k) retirement plan administration.
• Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with SCV Chamber of Commerce on Members-Only 401(k) solution through the Multiple Employer Aggregation Program (MEAP). LBW provides advisory services and plan administration support for small and medium sized Chamber member businesses.
• TraliantminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner for Diversity and Inclusion Training services including Workplace Diversity, Inclusion & Sensitivity, Unconscious Bias, and Microaggressions in the Workplace training programs.
• Pepperdine Graziadio Business SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of Executive CyberRisk Educational Workshop in June 2021, designed for Board and Executive leadership on cyber threat environment and risk management.
• Superior Life SupportminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerService provider referral for AED (Automated External Defibrillator) maintenance, supplies, tracking, and reporting services. LBW refers clients to this partner for post-event refurbishment and compliance.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Brown & Brown, Inc. Public insurance brokerage and risk management firm with deep U.S. retail operations. Overlaps with LBW in commercial P&C, employee benefits, and personal lines placements for mid-market clients.
• Alliant Insurance Services: Employee-owned specialty insurance brokerage with national reach. Comparable to LBW in employee benefits and commercial P&C focus, especially for mid-market employers in California.
• Acrisure: One of the largest U.S. insurance broker roll-ups, also backed by private capital. Comparable in that Acrisure consolidates independent agencies like LBW itself, illustrating both the competitive threat and the exit-acquirer dynamic for LBW's parent Foundation Risk Partners.
• HUB International: Large North American insurance brokerage built via acquisition of regional independents. Comparable through the same multi-carrier, multi-vertical brokerage model that LBW operates, but at much greater scale and national reach.
• Marsh & McLennan: Global insurance brokerage and risk advisory firm. Although much larger than LBW, it is included as the dominant incumbent whose direct and online channels compete with independent agencies on commercial placements.

Direct peers

• Keenan & Associates: California-based independent insurance brokerage and consulting firm serving schools, public agencies, and commercial clients. Comparable regional focus and multi-line independent agency model with strong employee benefits practice.
• EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants: Mid-sized national independent insurance brokerage offering commercial, personal, and employee benefits coverage across specialty verticals. Closely comparable to LBW in model (independent, multi-carrier, verticalized specialties) with materially greater scale.
• Heffernan Insurance Brokers: California-headquartered independent insurance brokerage providing commercial and personal lines with deep specialty verticals. Similar in size profile and California-centric positioning to LBW, competing for the same mid-market and family-business accounts.
• Woodruff-Sawyer & Co. Independent insurance brokerage specializing in commercial insurance, employee benefits, and executive risk for mid-market firms. Similar in offering breadth (commercial, benefits, personal) and client size to LBW.

Emerging players

• High Street Insurance Partners (cannabis division): Independent agency roll-up with a dedicated cannabis insurance practice. Directly comparable to LBW's cannabis specialization via StandardC, as both pursue the under-served cannabis-licensed operator market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 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 LBW Insurance and Financial Services