Why should I sell now?
What kind of agency are you seeking to purchase?
Will I be able to maintain confidentiality?
What does McGrath Insurance Group have to offer that other agencies don’t?
How will the sale affect me?
How will the sale affect my business?
How will the sale affect my clients?
How will the sale affect my employees?

Why should I sell now?
It’s a tough time to be operating an insurance agency.  The environment for business is especially difficult for small agencies.  Lower auto insurance premiums, new health insurance mandates and other factors are making it difficult to operate profitably if you depend on retail business.  At the same time, mergers and a generally stagnant business market make it difficult to grow your commercial business.

Your agency needs economies of scale to operate profitably in this environment.  By becoming part of McGrath Insurance Group, you can become part of an agency that is large enough to succeed, but small enough to provide the personal service your clients have come to expect.

What kind of agency are you seeking to purchase?
We are seeking to purchase agencies that fit the following criteria:

• Business philosophy.  Acquisitions are most successful when there is a cultural fit between the two businesses. If you review the philosophy section on this Web site and determine that there is a good fit between us, contact me.

• Size.  We are seeking to purchase small- to medium-sized agencies with $250,000 to $2,000,000 in revenue.

• Location.  McGrath Insurance Group is based in Sturbridge, just off of the Massachusetts Turnpike. While our core business is in Worcester County, we do business throughout New England. We are especially interested in businesses that will complement, but expand our core market.

• Products.  McGrath Insurance Group provides insurance planning and products to retail and commercial clients. We are open to exploring new sales opportunities.

Will I be able to maintain confidentiality?
Any discussions will remain confidential until a sale is completed.  We understand that if word gets out that you are selling your agency, it can have a negative impact on the value of your business.  Employees may leave.  Customers may take their business elsewhere.

Any discussion we have will be solely between us.  If a deal is reached, we will determine a timetable for you to announce it to your employees and customers.  We will announce it to our employees and customers at the same time.

What does McGrath Insurance Group have to offer that other agencies don’t?
McGrath Insurance Group is a mid-sized, independent insurance agency that has been owned by the McGrath family for more than 75 years.

We understand your business and we understand how to acquire other agencies.  In recent years, we have purchased a half-dozen other agencies.  In each case, the transition has proceeded smoothly, with owners having the option to continue, retire or go into another non-competing business.

We will do our best to make this a positive experience for you, your clients and your employees.

How will the sale affect me?
You’ve worked hard to build your business.  You deserve to be rewarded.  When McGrath Insurance Group buys your agency, we will:

• Take your personal financial objectives into account
• Develop a future earnings stream to maintain your lifestyle
• Consider estate-tax planning issues
• Provide you with financial security
• Take good care of your business, clients and staff

How will the sale affect my business?
At McGrath Insurance Group, we’ve found that the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts.  We will likely bring each other new ideas and new approaches.  Combining our businesses will also likely create cross-selling opportunities.  We’re not just looking to continue your business.  We’re looking to help it grow.

How will the sale affect my clients?
McGrath Insurance Group has a client retention rate that is well above the industry norm.  A survey of more than half of our clients showed a satisfaction level exceeding 90%.  And we’re working hard to boost it even higher.

Buying your agency is a great way for us to build our base of clients.  We want to retain your clients and will provide them with the best service we possibly can.

How will the sale affect my employees?
McGrath Insurance Group recognizes that the best way to grow a business is with talented, productive employees.  A key reason we are seeking to acquire other agencies is that we want to add to our talent base.

We seek to foster talent by offering your employees competitive compensation and benefits, and ongoing training.

As you’re aware, anytime an agency is acquired or two agencies merge, there are redundancies.  For the future long-term success of the combined business, a small number of positions may have to be eliminated.