the cranford agency

What the cranford agency does

The Cranford Agency, Inc. is a second-generation, family-owned independent insurance agency founded in 1993 by Ann Cranford and headquartered at 1157 South Cox Street in Asheboro, North Carolina. The agency represents multiple insurance carriers rather than working for any single insurer, distributing personal, commercial, and industry-specific insurance products to individuals and businesses across North Carolina and the broader Southeast. Operations are licensed in eight states — NC, SC, VA, TN, GA, FL, MD, and PA — and the carrier roster spans major national insurers (Erie, Progressive, Liberty Mutual, The Hartford, Travelers) alongside regional mutuals and specialty providers, with no proprietary technology platform. Revenue is generated through commissions on policies sold and renewed under a recurring subscription-like model tied to carrier relationships.

The agency's product surface spans roughly 80 industry verticals, with notable specialization in healthcare-related risks (assisted living, hospice, memory care, home health care), religious institutions (churches), contractors, and restaurants, where coverage needs include medical director liability, abuse/molestation, religious freedom, D&O, and stained glass protection. Personal lines include home/auto bundling (with 10-25% multi-policy discounts), umbrella, RV, flood, condo, high net worth, and ErieSecure Home Bundles. Standard commercial lines (business auto, general liability, professional liability, commercial property, workers' compensation, BOPs) round out the catalog.

Go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-based, relying on direct customer contact (phone, email, text, in-person) and a website-based quote request flow rather than broad advertising. Leadership transitioned in January 2026 when founders Ann and Tommy Cranford retired and ownership passed to daughter Amy Cranford Perkins (President & CEO) and Derek Perkins (Vice President & COO). The team remains small (5+ including licensed agents and support staff), and no parent company, subsidiaries, funding rounds, or M&A activity are disclosed.

Name

the cranford agency

Legal name

The Cranford Agency, Inc.

Website

https://cranfordagency.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Cranford Agency is a family-owned independent insurance agency in Asheboro, NC, distributing personal, commercial, and industry-specific coverage across 8 Southeast states through 25+ carrier partnerships, with niche specializations in healthcare, churches, and contractors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Asheboro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Insurance Commissions: The Cranford Agency, Inc. operates as an independent insurance agency earning commissions from multiple insurance carrier relationships. They represent different insurance companies offering a variety of policies to individuals and businesses. Revenue is generated through commissions on insurance policies sold and renewed.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Cranford Agency is an independent insurance brokerage that sells personal, commercial, and industry-specific insurance policies on behalf of multiple insurance carriers (including Erie Insurance, Progressive, Liberty Mutual, The Hartford, and Travelers). Customers request quotes through the website, phone, or email, and the agency matches them with carrier policies, earning commissions on sales and renewals. The agency specializes in vertical niches such as senior care facilities, home health care businesses, churches, and restaurants.

Product overview

The Cranford Agency, Inc. is a second-generation, family-owned independent insurance agency founded in 1993, offering a comprehensive portfolio of personal insurance, business insurance, and industry-specific insurance solutions. As an independent agency, they represent multiple insurance carriers to provide customers with choice and competitive options. The personal insurance offerings include home and auto bundled policies, umbrella, RV, rental property, flood, auto, condo, ErieSecure Home Bundles, and high net worth coverage. Business insurance products encompass business auto, general liability, professional liability, commercial property, workers' compensation, business owners policies, and contractor insurance. They also provide specialized insurance by industry including senior care facilities, home health care businesses, churches, restaurants, and over 80 other industry-specific coverages. The agency operates from Asheboro, NC and is licensed in NC, SC, VA, TN, GA, FL, MD, and PA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Home and Auto Insurance (Bundled) Combined home and auto insurance policy that allows customers to bundle coverage with one insurer, potentially qualifying for multi-policy discounts of 10% to 25%. For individuals and families seeking to protect their primary residence and vehicles.
• Umbrella Insurance Extra liability policy providing additional coverage when primary auto, home, or watercraft policy limits are exhausted. For individuals and families seeking excess liability protection.
• RV Insurance Specialized coverage for recreational vehicles and motorhomes including liability, collision, comprehensive, medical payments, personal property, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. For RV and motorhome owners.
• Rental Property Insurance Specialty home insurance for property owners who rent out their properties, covering building damage, personal property, lost rental income, and landlord liability. For landlords and rental property owners.
• Flood Insurance Standalone insurance policy protecting homes and belongings from flood damage, separate from standard home insurance. For homeowners and property owners in flood-prone areas.
• Auto Insurance Coverage for vehicles including bodily injury liability, property damage liability, medical payments, uninsured/underinsured motorist, and physical damage (collision/comprehensive). For individual vehicle owners.
• Condo Insurance Insurance for condo unit owners covering personal property, liability, additional living expenses, and filling gaps in condo association master policy coverage. For condominium unit owners.
• ErieSecure Home Bundles Bundle packages from Erie Insurance (Advantage, Plus, Select tiers) that expand homeowners coverage with higher limits, identity recovery, equipment breakdown, sewer/drain backup, underground service line, siding/roofing restoration, and cyber coverage. For homeowners seeking enhanced Erie Insurance protection.
• High Net Worth Insurance Comprehensive insurance solution for individuals with large assets, combining coverage for homes, vehicles, travel, life insurance, valuable possessions, collector cars, and cyber risks. For high net worth individuals and families.
• Business Auto Insurance Coverage for business-owned vehicles including liability, bodily injury, property damage, medical payments, uninsured motorist, comprehensive physical damage, and collision. For businesses with company vehicles and fleets.
• General Liability Insurance Coverage protecting businesses against claims of bodily injury to people outside the business and physical damage to their property. For commercial enterprises of all sizes.
• Professional Liability Insurance Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance covering businesses against claims of negligence or actions that harm others, including court costs and settlement costs. For professional service businesses and consultants.
• Commercial Property Insurance Coverage protecting business property including buildings, equipment, inventory, fixtures, and exterior signs from damage, loss, and theft. For commercial property owners and tenants.
• Workers' Compensation Insurance Coverage required by law that pays out if employees are injured at work, covering medical bills, care costs, lost wages, and funeral costs in worst-case scenarios. For businesses with employees in states requiring coverage.
• Business Owners Insurance (BOP) Business Owners Policy combining business property and business liability insurance into one policy, with optional coverage for errors and omissions, D&O, commercial umbrella, crime, environmental, systems breakdown, cyber liability, and business income. For small and mid-sized business owners.
• Contractor Insurance Coverage for contractors including builders risk, business auto, commercial property, contractor's equipment, equipment breakdown, general liability, inland marine, and workers' compensation. For general and specialty contractors.
• Senior Care Facility Insurance Specialized coverage for senior care facilities including assisted living, hospice, memory care, and retirement communities, covering medical director's liability, abuse/molestation, emergency evacuation, and public relations expenses. For operators of senior care facilities.
• Home Health Care Business Insurance Coverage for home health care businesses including general liability, professional liability, sexual abuse/molestation liability, fleet insurance, hired/non-owned auto, crime/theft, property, and cyber liability. For home health care agency operators.
• Church Insurance Coverage for houses of worship including stained glass, abuse/molestation, hired/non-owned auto, religious freedom, D&O liability, professional liability, and property coverage. For churches and religious institutions.
• Restaurant Insurance Coverage for restaurants including liquor liability, valet parking, business income, EPLI, sign coverage, systems breakdown, flooding, cyber liability, improvements/betterments, food contamination/spoilage, employee theft, and commercial auto. For restaurant owners and operators.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multi-policy discounts of 10-25% available for bundled home and auto insurance

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered primary and minor.

• Erie InsuranceprimaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorErie Insurance is highlighted as a key partner. The agency states 'We strive to uphold Erie Insurance's long-standing commitment to service.' The agency offers Erie Secure Home Bundles and promotes ERIE quotes. This is a primary carrier partnership for the agency.
• Accident FundminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorkers compensation insurance provider available through the agency's carrier network.
• American ModernminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance carrier partner available for various personal and specialty insurance products.
• American ReliableminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance carrier partner in the agency's network.
• Caroline Farmers Mutual Insurance CompanyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional mutual insurance company partner serving farmers and rural communities.
• CNA SuretyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSurety bond provider available through the agency for commercial clients.
• EmployersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorkers compensation insurance carrier partner.
• First BenefitsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBenefits insurance provider in the carrier network.
• Great American Insurance GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMulti-line insurance carrier partner offering various commercial and specialty coverages.
• Grundy InsuranceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance carrier partner in the agency's network.
• iSurityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance carrier partner available through the agency.
• Liberty MutualprimaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor national insurance carrier available through the agency for various personal and commercial coverages.
• Lititz MutualminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional mutual insurance company partner.
• MidSouth Insurance CompanyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional insurance carrier serving the Southeast market.
• Millers MutualminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional mutual insurance company partner.
• National GeneralminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance carrier partner available for various personal insurance products.
• NCJUA-NCIUAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNorth Carolina Joint Underwriting Association for beach and windstorm coverage.
• Philadelphia Insurance CompaniesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialty insurance carrier partner for various commercial coverages.
• ProgressiveprimaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor national insurance carrier available through the agency for auto and other personal coverages.
• South Carolina Wind & Hail Underwriting AssociationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBeach and windstorm coverage provider for South Carolina properties.
• The HartfordprimaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor national insurance carrier partner offering commercial and personal coverages.
• TravelersprimaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor national insurance carrier partner offering commercial and personal coverages.
• US AssureminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance carrier partner available through the agency.
• Utica NationalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance carrier partner offering various commercial and specialty coverages.
• West BendminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance carrier partner offering personal and commercial coverages.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Goosehead Insurance: Publicly traded independent insurance agency (Nasdaq: GSHD) representing multiple carriers across personal and commercial lines. Both operate as independent agents placing business with multiple carriers rather than as captive agents, sharing the same core business model despite scale differences.
• Brightway Insurance: Franchise-based independent insurance agency representing multiple carriers across the Southeast US. Both companies share the independent agency model, multi-carrier representation, and regional Southeast focus, making them directly comparable despite different ownership structures.
• The Hilb Group: Independent insurance brokerage representing multiple carriers across personal, commercial, and specialty lines. Both operate as independent intermediaries placing business with carrier partners; Hilb Group operates at larger scale but shares the same fundamental agency model.
• RPS Insurance: Specialty insurance broker representing multiple carriers with focus on industry-specific coverage programs. Both agencies place business with carrier partners and offer industry-vertical specializations (RPS in contractor, restaurant, and niche programs).

Broad incumbents

• Erie Insurance: Major regional insurance carrier that is also a primary partner of The Cranford Agency. Erie represents the carrier side of the agency relationship—Cranford places business with Erie among other carriers—making them a counterparty in the distribution chain rather than a competitor.
• Liberty Mutual: Major national insurance carrier and primary partner of The Cranford Agency. Like Erie, Liberty Mutual is a counterparty carrier that Cranford represents, not a direct competitor, but is included given its central role in the agency's carrier portfolio.
• The Hartford: Major national insurance carrier and primary partner of The Cranford Agency for commercial and personal lines. Included as a counterparty carrier in the agency's distribution portfolio rather than as a direct competitor.
• GEICO: Largest direct-to-consumer auto and home insurance carrier in the US. While not an independent agency, GEICO represents the primary competitive threat to independent agencies like Cranford by selling policies direct and bypassing the agent channel.

Emerging players

• Lemonade: Digital-first insurance carrier selling direct-to-consumer with mobile-native technology. Represents an emerging competitive threat to traditional independent agencies by combining AI underwriting with low-overhead distribution that competes for the same consumer insurance dollar.

Others

• Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina: State-level trade association for independent insurance agents in North Carolina. Not a competitor but a relevant ecosystem participant for The Cranford Agency given its NC base and independent agency structure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cranford-agency-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 the cranford agency