Higginbotham Expands Operations into South Carolina through Merger
Higginbotham, a prominent Texas-based insurance brokerage, has expanded its operations into South Carolina through a strategic merger with Turbeville Insurance Agency. The Columbia-based independent brokerage operates four offices across the state, employing over 60 staff members. This acquisition provides Higginbotham with a strategic entry into a rapidly growing market, as South Carolina recorded the highest population growth rate in the U.S. from July 2024 to July 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, Higginbotham ranks as the 16th largest independent insurance brokerage nationwide, based on 2026 data from The Hales Report. The company is actively expanding and has recently ventured into markets in Indiana, Georgia, and Alabama, acquiring firms specializing in high-net-worth insurance and energy sector risks. This expansion strategy highlights Higginbotham's commitment to addressing diverse client needs through enhanced service offerings.
This transaction reflects ongoing consolidation trends in the U.S. insurance agency sector. According to Business Insurance, 2025 saw 695 mergers and acquisitions among agencies. Many smaller agencies, often generating less than $1.25 million in annual revenue, confront limited internal succession options, driving mergers with larger firms that offer more substantial resources and comprehensive coverage solutions.
Founded in 1991 by William L. "Bill" Turbeville Jr., Turbeville Insurance Agency serves clients in varied sectors, including personal, commercial, life, health, and employee benefits. The agency boasts expertise in coastal property, construction, and hospitality—areas aligned with South Carolina's evolving risk landscape. Homeowners insurance premiums have surged due to storm-related impacts and changes in national carriers' underwriting practices.
Rusty Reid, Higginbotham's chairman and CEO, emphasized the strategic significance of entering South Carolina, commending Turbeville's client-focused approach. Bill Turbeville noted that the firm's growth necessitated a partnership with a larger platform to strengthen its competitive position and expand service offerings.
A pivotal aspect of this partnership is Higginbotham's employee ownership structure, contrasting the private equity model dominating the industry. In 2025, 73% of agency deals involved private equity-backed buyers, per Business Insurance. Turbeville highlighted employee ownership as crucial for maintaining long-term structural integrity and sustaining operational values.
Clients of Turbeville will continue working with their existing local teams while gaining access to Higginbotham's comprehensive services, including risk management and specialty market access. Bill Turbeville assured clients of continuity with additional resources and growth opportunities for both the firm and its employees, marking a new chapter of strategic growth and service enhancement.