Mjr

What Mjr does

Brown, Holmes & Milliken Agency is an independent insurance brokerage founded in 1864 and headquartered in Ellsworth, Maine, operating three offices across Downeast Maine — Ellsworth (67 Foster Street), Machias (57 Dublin Street), and Bucksport (133 Main Street, operated as the Grindle Insurance DBA subsidiary). The agency represents 22 or more insurance carriers and places Personal, Business, Financial, and Group Benefits coverage for individual consumers and small businesses in Hancock and Washington counties, with sales delivered primarily through in-person brokerage at its three offices supplemented by an online quote-request channel.

The agency runs on a commission-based revenue model, earning carrier-paid commissions on placed policies rather than charging direct fees, and uses no disclosed proprietary technology — placement, quoting, and servicing rely on standard carrier underwriting platforms and agency management systems typical of independent brokerages. Customer acquisition is sales-led and relationship-driven, anchored by a 160-year operating history, multi-office local presence, and affiliation with the Maine Insurance Agents Association and the Trusted Choice independent-agent network.

Strategically the business has expanded modestly through tuck-in M&A — most visibly the acquisition of Grindle Insurance in Bucksport — and through incremental product and channel additions such as Financial and Group Benefits and online quote intake. The agency is privately held, has no disclosed funding history, and competes against other regional independents and direct-to-consumer digital channels in a rural Maine market where physical presence and longevity are key purchase drivers.

Name

Mjr

Legal name

Brown, Holmes & Milliken Agency

Website

https://bhm-ins.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1864

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Independent insurance brokerage founded 1864 in Ellsworth, Maine, operating three Downeast Maine offices under the Brown, Holmes & Milliken and Grindle Insurance brands, placing Personal, Business, Financial, and Group Benefits coverage through 22+ carriers for local consumers and small businesses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Insurance Agency

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 industry

PRIMARYFSAEADAJ

Specialty Insurance Brokerage (Marine, Aviation, Cyber, Professional Lines)

Financial & Insurance/Financial Advisory, Brokerage & Intermediation/Insurance Brokerage & Risk Advisory

Keywords

• Independent insurance agency
• Personal insurance coverage
• Commercial insurance products
• Group benefits insurance
• Insurance carrier network

Headquarters

HQ city

Ellsworth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Insurance Commissions: The agency earns commissions from insurance carriers for policies placed on behalf of clients. As an independent agency representing over 22 carriers, they can shop multiple options to find the best fit for clients, earning commission from whichever carrier is selected.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Brown, Holmes & Milliken Agency is an independent insurance agency that brokers personal, commercial, and financial insurance products for clients in Downeast Maine. Operating since 1864 with offices in Ellsworth, Machias, and Bucksport, the agency represents over 22 insurance carriers and earns commissions for placing policies across personal lines (auto, home, boat, life), commercial lines (fishing, marine, contractors, workers comp), and group benefits (health, dental, disability, annuities).

Product overview

Brown, Holmes & Milliken Agency is an independent insurance agency offering a comprehensive portfolio of personal, business, and financial insurance products and services through its network of over 22 insurance carrier partnerships. The agency operates as a single unified service offering, with personal insurance products (auto, home, boat, life, motorcycle, etc.), business insurance products (commercial fishing, contractors, general liability, workers compensation, etc.), and financial/group benefits (dental, health, disability, annuities) all delivered through its carrier network. The company provides quote request services and claims support across all product lines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Personal Insurance Personal insurance products for individuals and families including Antique Auto, Auto Insurance, Boat/Jet Ski Insurance, Condominium Insurance, Flood Insurance, Homeowners Insurance, Life Insurance, Marine Insurance, Mobile Home Insurance, Motorcycle/ATV Insurance, Motor Homes Insurance, Personal Umbrella, Renters Insurance, Snowmobiles Insurance, Travel Trailers Insurance, and Valuable Items coverage.
• Business Insurance Business insurance products for commercial clients including Builders Risk, Business Auto, Business Owners Policies, Business Umbrella Liability, Commercial Fishing Insurance, Contractors coverage, Daycare Liability, Garage Liability, General Liability, Liquor Liability, Lobsterboat Insurance, Marine/Marina Insurance, Performance and Probate Bonds, Professional Liability, Rental Properties (Single & Multi-Family), Special Events Coverage, and Workers Compensation.
• Financial and Group Benefits Financial and group benefits products including Dental Insurance, Disability Insurance, Fixed Annuities (Immediate & Deferred), Group Disability, Group Health Insurance, Group Life Insurance, International Short-Term Medical, Long Term Care, Short Term Medical Insurance, and Trip Cancellation/Interruption coverage.
• Insurance Quote Request Online quote request service enabling customers to request quotes for various insurance types including Homeowners, Auto, Life, Boat, Snowmobile, Motorcycle, Commercial, and Disability & Long Term Care Insurance.
• Insurance Carrier Network Access to over 22 insurance carriers including Acadia Insurance, Allstate, Liberty Mutual/Safeco, Travelers, Progressive, MetLife, Hagerty, Concord Group, and others, enabling the agency to shop multiple carriers for each client's coverage needs.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Maine Insurance Agents AssociationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMembership in Maine's affiliate of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. Provides access to industry resources, training, and advocacy for independent insurance agents in Maine.
• Trusted ChoicecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPledge of Performance membership providing quality service standards and brand credibility for independent insurance agents. Customers can expect professional service and advocacy on their behalf.
• Acadia InsurancecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional insurance carrier offering property and casualty coverage. Brown, Holmes & Milliken represents this carrier to provide coverage options to customers.
• AllstatecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational insurance carrier providing auto, home, and commercial coverage. Part of the 22+ carrier network represented by the agency.
• Liberty Mutual/SafecocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor national insurance carrier. The agency represents Liberty Mutual and Safeco brands for commercial and personal lines coverage.
• TravelerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational insurance carrier offering business and personal insurance products. The agency represents Travelers for various coverage needs.
• Progressive InsurancecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor national auto and commercial insurance carrier. Represented by the agency for auto, motorcycle, and commercial coverage.
• MetLifeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal insurance and financial services company providing group benefits and individual coverage options.
• Hagerty InsuranceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialty insurance provider for classic cars and boats. Relevant for antique auto and marine coverage in the Downeast Maine market.
• Concord Group InsurancecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional New England insurance carrier offering personal and commercial coverage options.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• MEMIC: Maine-based workers' compensation insurance carrier that BHM represents as a carrier partner. Comparable as a Maine insurance ecosystem participant with overlapping customer base of Maine employers requiring workers' comp coverage.

Direct peers

• Cross Insurance: The largest independent insurance agency in Maine and Northern New England, offering personal, commercial, and employee benefits products across multiple offices. Directly comparable to BHM as a multi-line independent agency operating in the same Maine geography with multi-carrier representation.
• The Rowley Agency: Independent insurance agency serving Maine and New England with personal, commercial, and specialty coverages through multiple carrier partnerships. Comparable as a competing Maine-based independent agency with similar multi-line offerings.
• Allen Insurance and Financial: Maine-based independent insurance and financial services agency serving individuals and businesses with personal, commercial, and employee benefits coverage. Comparable as a Maine-headquartered independent agency competing for the same regional customers and carrier relationships.
• Eaton & Smith Insurance Agency: Independent insurance agency operating in Maine and New England, offering personal and business insurance through carrier relationships. Comparable as a regional independent agency competing in the same Downeast/Maine market.
• Walsh Insurance Group: New England independent insurance agency offering personal, commercial, and employee benefits products across multiple locations. Comparable to BHM in structure as a multi-office independent agency representing multiple carriers in the same regional footprint.
• Pingree Insurance: Independent insurance agency in Maine providing personal and commercial lines through multiple carrier relationships. Comparable to BHM as a regional Maine independent agency with a similar multi-carrier, multi-line business model.

Broad incumbents

• Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Global insurance brokerage and risk management firm with significant New England operations across personal, commercial, and specialty lines. Comparable to BHM in brokerage function, though far larger and a likely acquirer of independent agencies like BHM.
• HUB International: Large global insurance brokerage with a New England presence offering personal, commercial, and specialty insurance across many lines. Comparable to BHM in core brokerage function but operates at vastly greater scale and as a national platform acquirer of smaller independents.

Regional players

• Smith Insurance Group: New England-based independent insurance agency offering personal and commercial lines through multiple carriers. Comparable as an independent agency with similar carrier-representation model, though operating primarily in New Hampshire rather than Maine.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BrownHolmesMillikenAgency

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Mjr