ERA Acquires ISOA: A Strategic Move in Fire Protection Insurance
Enterprise Risk Associates (ERA) has completed its acquisition of Insurance Solutions of America (ISOA), a national commercial brokerage specializing in fire protection contractors. This marks ERA's sixth acquisition since 2024 and its first focused on a specialized agency. The acquisition was finalized on May 8, 2026, although the financial details were not disclosed.
This acquisition is significant due to the complex liability profiles involved in fire protection services, such as completed operations liability for system failures and professional liability for engineering activities. These factors often necessitate placements in specialty or excess and surplus lines markets rather than standard admitted markets. ISOA's long-standing relationships and expertise in this niche make it a unique and strategic addition to ERA's portfolio.
Founded in 2007 by Scott Lugering and Amber LaSota, ISOA has built a reputation for specialized knowledge and client trust within the fire protection sector from its headquarters in Oviedo, Florida. Lugering will continue to lead ISOA, maintaining operations at their current location.
ERA, backed by KZ Capital and Lamberg Management Inc., was established to acquire independent insurance agencies and has recently secured a $150 million financing facility from Macquarie Capital Principal Finance to support its acquisition initiatives. Prior to acquiring ISOA, ERA had expanded through acquisitions in California, Florida, and the Northeast, including agencies like NYC Metro Insurance and Ariston Brokerage. The ISOA deal diverges from ERA’s previous geographic-focused acquisitions by enhancing its specialized capabilities.
Adam Wolper, CEO of ERA, emphasized the strategic importance of this acquisition, noting the value of ISOA's existing relationships and expertise in the specialized market of fire protection. ERA plans to support ISOA's growth while preserving its established service model.
The U.S. excess and surplus lines market reached new heights in 2025, with direct premiums written exceeding $100 billion for the first time. According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, this amounted to $105.31 billion, indicating a 7.8% increase from the previous year. This growth underscores the ongoing demand for specialized placements necessitated by limited supply in admitted markets, especially for complex liabilities like those in fire protection contracting.
Mergers and acquisitions of insurance agencies remain robust, with 695 deals reported in 2025. Property and casualty sellers comprised 66% of transactions, and private equity-backed or hybrid buyers spearheaded 73% of the acquisitions. ERA’s strategy of maintaining the leadership and operational identity of its acquired agencies while integrating centralized resources aligns well with the needs of niche practices that rely heavily on personal relationships and expertise.