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The Pearl Story

From a modest company that originated with our founder, Jack Pearl, to becoming a division of Risk Strategies/One80 Intermediaries in 2022, our story has been one of a vision turned to reality. Even now, Pearl Insurance provides the resources and know-how of a larger company while remaining focused on being attentive to the needs of our clients, as opposed to the wants of shareholders and analysts.


Humble Beginnings

The year was 1954. Our founder, Jack Pearl, had recently graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, IL. He dreamt of building an organization that could make a difference for people when they needed it most. Before long, he decided selling insurance could transform his vision into reality.

In the early days, the company only consisted of Jack and one part-time office assistant. They worked out of a small room in the First National Bank building in Peoria. One of his most creative and successful marketing initiatives took place each winter, when he'd drive his truck down country roads and put a flyer with his face on it in every mailbox he passed. Then, after the season's first big snow, he'd retrace his route and knock on the door of each farmhouse he'd visited.

This method of advertising interjected a human element that prospects found irresistible, allowing Jack to build genuine relationships with folks who would eventually become loyal customers. Over time, thanks to some good old-fashioned grit and ingenuity, Jack transformed the company from its humble beginnings until it grew to become one of the top brokers in the United States.

Strategic Partnerships

Though Pearl's commitment to clients and service never changed, our senior leadership continued to seek strategies that would enhance value for clients and continue growth. Ultimately, the team decided to become part of a larger organization—one with a significant portfolio of specialized products, services, and distribution. Thus, Pearl Insurance joined the Risk Strategies/One80 Intermediaries family of companies on January 1, 2022.

One80 Intermediaries is a privately held wholesaler and program manager based in Boston, MA. With over 35 offices throughout the US and Canada, One80 offers placement services and binding authority for property & casualty, financial lines, personal lines, cannabis, life insurance, medical stop loss, alternative risk, warranty, lender-based insurance, travel/accident, and health risks. One80 serves commercial companies, non-profits, public entities, and individuals, and has access to all major insurance markets in the US, Canada, and the UK.

To this day, every decision stems from a desire to maintain a personal touch while remaining devoted to providing the best service possible for our clients. You can see this commitment from the products we offer to the companies we've partnered with.

In 2005, we teamed with Carroll Holdings Inc. to form Pearl Carroll & Associates in 2005. Carroll Holdings and its predecessor firms—including Ter Busch & Powell, Jardine Insurance Brokers, and Jardine Group Services—got its start in New York in 1939, when they introduced one of the first term life member insurance programs to their client, the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA).

Over 80 years later, this relationship with CSEA remains intact. What's more, CSEA's membership program has expanded to include life, health, and personal insurance products, all with the convenience of premium collection through payroll deduction. The strong relationship with CSEA is a big reason why we partnered to form Pearl Carroll & Associates.

In 2018, we took our partnership one step further when Pearl Carroll & Associates changed its name to Pearl Insurance. Operating under a unified name, we continued to expand upon our commitment to bringing a personal touch to the insurance industry.

Timeline

As a division of One80 Intermediaries, Pearl Insurance has become the platform upon which One80 is building its business and growth in the affinity and program management market. Since our brand, business expertise, and people are valued, Pearl has retained its name and continues to be led by the same leadership team.

Pearl Insurance will always be committed to delivering products and services that add value and strengthen relationships between broker partners and their agents. We remain nimble and responsive to client and partner needs as well as market opportunities. The change to underlying ownership has created long-term stability and expanded product and service offerings for our clients.

We're blessed to have so many rich chapters in our company's history, but we firmly believe our best stories are yet to be told.

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