First Connect Hits $500M Premium, Accelerates Digital Insurance Distribution

First Connect achieved a significant milestone by surpassing $500 million in gross written premium in 2025, one year after Centana Growth Partners acquired a majority stake. This growth underscores the company's accelerated expansion driven by new carrier partnerships and increased adoption of its technology-focused insurance distribution platform. Based in Palo Alto, First Connect serves the independent agency channel by connecting agents with over 130 carriers and managing general agents (MGAs). The platform addresses the complexities of the fragmented insurance market by offering agents a flexible, broad range of solutions and enabling carriers to expand distribution efficiently while identifying high-performing agencies. Initially launched as a Hippo Holdings subsidiary, First Connect has experienced a fourteenfold increase in premium volume from non-Hippo carriers since 2021. This surge reflects growing demand for modern digital distribution capabilities from both agents and carriers seeking scalable and efficient market access. In 2025, First Connect reinforced its market position by forming new partnerships with AmTrust, Berkshire Hathaway GUARD, and The Hanover. Centana's investment has facilitated enhanced product development and expanded engineering resources, driving operational scaling and innovation. Investments in AI technologies are advancing underwriting processes, carrier matching, and transparency through a developing carrier portal to improve distribution efficiency. The platform emphasizes data-driven agent-carrier matching and performance monitoring to support strong underwriting outcomes and premium growth with controlled loss ratios. This disciplined approach contributes to sustained carrier performance and retention. As digital tools increasingly permeate the independent agency channel, First Connect is positioned to influence the evolving dynamics of carrier-agent relationships by balancing high-quality distribution, scalable operations, and continued product innovation.