Carlson & Associates
Carlson & Associates (dba Narrows Insurance) is an independent insurance agency in Gig Harbor, WA, founded 2004, distributing personal, commercial, health/employee benefits, and farm/equine insurance through 24+ carrier partnerships across the Pacific Northwest.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersGig Harbor, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Carlson & Associates does
Carlson & Associates, doing business as Narrows Insurance, is an independent insurance agency headquartered at 2601 Jahn Ave NW Ste A1 in Gig Harbor, Washington. Founded in 2004 by Larry Carlson, the agency operates as Narrows Insurance LLC and serves individuals, families, small-to-medium businesses, employers, and farm/equine owners across the Pacific Northwest — including Gig Harbor, Tacoma, Port Orchard, Bremerton, Auburn, Kent, and surrounding Washington communities. The firm employs 11-50 people and operates on a sales-led, direct distribution model combining face-to-face office service with online quote request forms and a content marketing blog.
The agency distributes products across four lines: personal insurance (car, home, landlord, boat, collector car), business insurance (commercial auto, general liability, commercial property, inland marine, workers compensation, contractors, surety bonds, cyber, professional liability, commercial umbrella), health insurance and employee benefits (group health, group dental, Medicare, individual health, life, long-term care), and farm/equine insurance (trainer liability, equine liability, care custody and control, equine events/clubs, equine mortality). As an independent agency, it represents over 24 carrier partners including The Hartford, Progressive, Liberty Mutual, Travelers, CNA, Nationwide, Allstate, Markel, Regence, Premera, Kaiser Permanente, Aetna, United Healthcare, Berkshire Hathaway GUARD, Hanover, Cincinnati, PURE, Western National, Great American, Safeco, Berkley North Pacific, Principal, and Mutual of Enumclaw. The underlying technology stack consists of third-party agency platforms — E-Pay for premium payments, Ease for benefits administration, Zywave for HR portal access, and a CSR24 client portal — with no proprietary core technology disclosed.
Revenue is generated through commissions paid by insurance carriers on new and renewal policies, structured as recurring commission streams on the premium book. Pricing is quote-based with monthly billing cadence and not publicly disclosed; customers contact the agency directly for personalized quotes tailored to their risk profile, coverage needs, and the carriers selected. Marketing channels center on educational blog content, local SEO, and Google reviews/testimonials, with no disclosed funding, M&A activity, or leadership changes in the available data.
Carlson & Associates firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Carlson & Associates
- Legal name
- Narrows Insurance LLC
- Website
- https://carlsonassociatesins.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Carlson & Associates (dba Narrows Insurance) is an independent insurance agency in Gig Harbor, WA, founded 2004, distributing personal, commercial, health/employee benefits, and farm/equine insurance through 24+ carrier partnerships across the Pacific Northwest.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Carlson & Associates industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Independent Insurance Brokerage
- NAICS
- Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (524210), Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (52421), Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities (5242)
- SIC
- Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Commercial Lines Insurance Brokerage (FSAEADAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Retail (Personal Lines) Insurance Brokerage (FSAEADAA), Specialty Insurance Brokerage (Marine, Aviation, Cyber, Professional Lines) (FSAEADAJ), Medicare Plan Distribution & Brokerage (Captive, Independent, FMOs) (FSAIAGAH), Individual Health Insurance Brokerage & Distribution (FSAIAEAL)
Keywords
Where Carlson & Associates is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gig Harbor
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Carlson & Associates business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Insurance Commissions: The company earns revenue through commissions paid by insurance carriers for policies placed. As an independent agency representing multiple insurance companies, they receive a percentage of premiums from each carrier for new policies and renewals.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | Customized insurance solutions - no published tiers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels2 records
Carlson & Associates product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Carlson & Associates (d/b/a Narrows Insurance) is an independent insurance agency that brokers personal, commercial, health/employee benefits, and farm/equine insurance policies on behalf of clients. The agency represents 24+ insurance carriers and earns commissions by placing policies and providing ongoing claims and policy servicing. Customers access coverage through direct office visits, phone, email, or online quote requests.
Product overview
Narrows Insurance is an independent insurance agency offering a comprehensive portfolio of insurance products across four core lines: Personal Insurance (car, home, landlord, boat, collector car), Business Insurance (commercial auto, general liability, commercial property, inland marine, workers comp, contractors, surety bonds, cyber, professional liability, umbrella), Health Insurance and Employee Benefits (group health, dental, Medicare, life, long-term care), and Farm/Equine Insurance (specialized coverage for farms, horses, trainers, and equine operations). As an independent agency, they represent multiple insurance carriers to provide tailored coverage options for both individuals and businesses.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Personal Insurance Personal insurance products for individuals and families including car insurance, home insurance, landlord insurance, boat insurance, and collector car insurance placed through multiple carriers.
- Business Insurance Comprehensive business insurance programs for businesses of all sizes including commercial auto, general liability, commercial property, inland marine, workers compensation, contractors insurance, surety bonds, cyber insurance, professional liability, and commercial umbrella coverage.
- Health Insurance and Employee Benefits Group health insurance, group dental insurance, employee benefits packages, and value-added services for businesses, as well as individual health insurance, life insurance, Medicare, and long-term care insurance for individuals.
- Farm and Equine Insurance Specialized farm and equine insurance including trainer liability, equine liability insurance, care custody and control coverage, equine events clubs and associations coverage, and equine mortality insurance.
Quantifiable outcome
- Agents saved clients over $1,000 on insurance through policy reshopping
Companies that use Carlson & Associates
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Carlson & Associates technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Carlson & Associates partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and regional.
- The HartfordcoreMajor national insurance carrier partner providing commercial and personal insurance products. The Hartford offers property and casualty insurance, group benefits, and other commercial insurance solutions distributed through independent agents like Narrows Insurance.
- ProgressivecoreMajor national auto and personal lines insurer known for competitive rates and innovative coverage options. Progressive products are distributed through independent agents and direct channels.
- Liberty MutualcoreNational insurance carrier offering auto, home, and business insurance products through independent distribution channels including independent agents like Narrows Insurance.
- TravelerscoreDiversified insurance carrier providing commercial and personal insurance solutions including business insurance, auto, home, and specialty coverage through independent agents.
- CNAcoreCommercial insurance specialist focusing on business insurance products including property, casualty, and specialty coverages for businesses distributed through independent agents.
- Nationwide InsurancecoreLarge national insurance provider offering auto, home, business, and farm insurance products through independent agent distribution.
- Allstate InsurancemajorMajor personal lines insurance carrier offering auto, home, and life insurance products through independent agents as well as direct channels.
- MarkelmajorSpecialty insurance carrier known for equine and farm insurance products as well as commercial coverage options distributed through independent agents.
- Mutual of EnumclawregionalPacific Northwest regional insurance carrier offering home, auto, and business insurance with a focus on the Washington and Oregon markets.
- Regence BlueshieldmajorRegional health insurance carrier providing individual and group health coverage in the Pacific Northwest, operating as a Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliate.
- Premera Blue CrossmajorRegional health insurer serving Washington and Alaska markets with individual, group, and Medicare health insurance plans.
- Kaiser PermanentemajorIntegrated health system and health insurance provider offering group health, individual plans, and Medicare coverage in Washington State.
- AetnamajorMajor national health insurance carrier offering individual, group, and Medicare coverage, now part of CVS Health.
- United Health CaremajorLargest health insurance provider in the US offering individual, group, and Medicare plans distributed through agents and brokers.
- Berkshire Hathaway GUARDregionalInsurance subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway offering commercial and personal insurance products through independent agents.
- HanovermajorCommercial and personal insurance carrier focused on small to medium businesses, distributing through independent agents.
- Cincinnati InsurancecoreRegional insurance carrier known for business insurance products including commercial lines, surety bonds, and personal coverage distributed through independent agents.
- PURE InsuranceregionalMember-owned insurer focused on high-value homes and possessions, operating on a reciprocal basis through independent agents.
- Western NationalregionalPacific Northwest regional insurer offering home, auto, and business insurance with community-focused approach.
- Great AmericanmajorDiversified insurance organization offering commercial and specialty insurance products including property/casualty, crop, and marine insurance.
- Safeco InsurancemajorPersonal lines insurance carrier (part of Liberty Mutual) offering auto and home insurance through independent agents.
- Berkley North PacificregionalRegional commercial insurance carrier focusing on small to medium businesses in the Pacific Northwest.
- PrincipalmajorFinancial services company offering business insurance, retirement, and benefits products distributed through independent agents.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Carlson & Associates competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Brown & Brown: National insurance brokerage providing commercial P&C, personal lines, and employee benefits through independent agency acquisitions. Comparable independent agency distribution model but at vastly greater scale.
- Hub International: Mid-market-focused insurance brokerage distributing personal, commercial, and benefits products across North America. Comparable multi-line brokerage offering but with national scale and proprietary technology investments.
- Country Financial: Multi-line insurer and financial services company distributing auto, home, life, farm, and commercial coverage through captive and independent agents in the Midwest and West. Comparable farm/equine and SMB coverage offerings.
- RPS (Risk Placement Services): Wholesale brokerage and managing general agency distributing specialty commercial lines including contractors, surety, and professional liability through independent retail agents. Comparable specialty commercial brokerage relationships with retail agents like Narrows Insurance.
- Arthur J. Gallagher: Global insurance brokerage and risk management services firm serving commercial and personal clients through producer networks. Comparable multi-carrier brokerage model but operating at enterprise scale with dedicated specialties.
- USI Insurance Services: Large national insurance brokerage and consulting firm providing property/casualty, employee benefits, and personal lines through producer networks. Comparable multi-line independent distribution model with regional offices.
Direct peers
- AssurePro: Independent insurance agency offering personal, commercial, and life products through multiple carrier appointments, with a comparable community-oriented, sales-led approach to SMB and household clients.
- Founders Insurance Group: Regional independent insurance agency distributing personal and commercial lines through multiple carrier appointments in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Comparable multi-line independent retail brokerage model with similar product breadth.
- Leavitt Group: A large network of independent insurance agencies across the western United States offering personal, commercial, and benefits products through multiple carrier appointments. Directly comparable multi-line independent agency model with regional offices.
- Goosehead Insurance: Independent personal lines agency franchise distributing home, auto, and other coverage through multiple carriers. Comparable multi-carrier independent agency model with focus on consumer experience.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Carlson & Associates social profiles
Digital presenceCarlson & Associates financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Carlson & Associates leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Carlson & Associates funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Carlson & Associates 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 Carlson & Associates
What does Carlson & Associates do?
Carlson & Associates (d/b/a Narrows Insurance) is an independent insurance agency that brokers personal, commercial, health/employee benefits, and farm/equine insurance policies on behalf of clients. The agency represents 24+ insurance carriers and earns commissions by placing policies and providing ongoing claims and policy servicing. Customers access coverage through direct office visits, phone, email, or online quote requests.
Is Carlson & Associates a public or private company?
Carlson & Associates is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Carlson & Associates founded?
Carlson & Associates was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Carlson & Associates based?
Carlson & Associates is headquartered in Gig Harbor, United States, in the North America region.
How does Carlson & Associates make money?
One revenue line is on record: insurance Commissions.
Who are Carlson & Associates's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Brown & Brown, Hub International, Country Financial, RPS (Risk Placement Services), Arthur J. Gallagher and USI Insurance Services. Direct peers are AssurePro, Founders Insurance Group, Leavitt Group and Goosehead Insurance.
Does Carlson & Associates have an API?
No public API is recorded for Carlson & Associates.
What industry is Carlson & Associates in?
Carlson & Associates's product category is Independent Insurance Brokerage. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAEADAB, Commercial Lines Insurance Brokerage, with a secondary code of FSAEADAA, Retail (Personal Lines) Insurance Brokerage. Its NAICS code is 524210 and its SIC code is 6411.