Insurance Office of America (IOA) is a full-service insurance agency and one of the fastest-growing independent agencies in the U.S. It’s currently the 18th largest privately held agency in the country. IOA offers business and personal insurance, employment benefits, and risk management. From aerospace to warehousing, IOA serves the gamut of industries, 38 in all. In each of those industries, IOA has developed a niche expertise.
In particular, through IOA Telecom, the company offers insurance and risk management programs for the wireless infrastructure industry, including cell tower maintenance, civil, tower erection, fiber/utility, lighting, small cell, RF, DAS, line and antenna, as well as concealment manufacturing and installation. Included in the insurance options are policies that can be written for general liability, property, workers compensation, commercial auto, installation floater, cyber, crime, professional/pollution, and drone coverage.
Built for the Telecom Industry
IOA was founded in 1988 by John Ritenour. His vision was to take the greed out of the independent agency system, treating employees and brokers with dignity, and giving clients the best service, tools and resources in the industry. Today, IOA is led by Chairman Heath Ritenour and CEO Jeff Lagos.
“From the very beginning, IOA’s leadership formed the company not only to provide its clients with expert insurance and risk management services but also to serve the community in meaningful ways,” said Bruce Eades, IOA Executive Vice President. “The cornerstone of our foundation is our faith, our families, and the fun of living our lifework.”
In 1996, Bruce Eades insured a small telecom account in north Georgia, which opened his eyes to the needs of the telecom industry. From there, he convinced Nationwide Insurance Company to underwrite an insurance program for telecom contractors that included all of the policy language its clients were required to carry. This is key for contractors applying for work with a general contractor, tower company, and carriers.
“Our clients customers’ contracts require specific language regarding insurance policies,” said Dennis Robinson, Senior Vice President, IOA. “If a contractor’s policies, forms and insurance are not approved, it inhibits their opportunities for work in today’s slow market.” According to IOA, there was a need for expert risk consultation in the telecom industry. “The practice was built on the principle of serving as a trusted advisor,” said Ross Evans, Senior Vice President, IOA. “We provide all-encompassing coverage for operations in the telecom industry.”
Adding Talent and a Wholesale Operation
IOA Telecom strengthens client programs and policies to fill gaps in risk they may not be aware of. It supports them with compliance and safety training, provides risk management tools and resources, and assists with Avetta safety compliance requirements. “Companies like Avetta create a great deal of frustration and our expertise allows us to efficiently navigate through Avetta and similar systems,” said Stephanie Brewer, Director of Safety and Compliance.
Over the years, IOA Telecom has added key players to serve the telecom industry, including Dennis Robinson in 2012; Ross Evans in 2014, DJ Robinson, Vice President in 2017; David Eades, Risk Advisor in 2021, and Stephanie Brewer in 2021.
In 2016, Dennis Robinson realized there was interest in using upfront underwriting standards to open a wholesale operation to retail agents outside of IOA.
USA Telecom Insurance Services, which is wholly owned by IOA, began selling insurance through local retail agents by leveraging the close relationships between telecom companies and their local retail agents.
“Today, eight years later, USA Telecom is contracted with over 200 retail insurance agents, serving over 400 telecom clients through the U.S.,” said Dennis Robinson.
Evolving with the Market
IOA Telecom’s business proved to be resilient in 2023, logging a record year, even though the market slowed as whole. Looking forward, many of IOA Telecom’s clients are diversifying their services and exploring the deployment of fiber. IOA Telecom is a member of the Fiber Broadband Association and is well positioned to assist this segment of the industry with its insurance needs.
Today, IOA Telecom and USA Telecom have admitted insurance carriers licensed to do business in all 50 states. Insurance Office of America has over 1,500 employees and 60 locations. The IOA Telecom division and USA Telecom Insurance Services teams, based in Gainesville, GA, have over 25 employees.
IOA Telecom and USA Telecom will be exhibiting in booth 626 at NATE UNITE 2024, February 19-22, with a large team, ready to answer questions. They will be also be at the South Wireless Summit in Nashville, March 24-24, Connectivity Expo in Atlanta, May 14-16, and FiberConnect in Nashville July 28-31, as well as several other industry events throughout the year.
For more information, visit IOA’s newly launched website that is dedicated to its telecom clients, www.ioatelecom.com. Or connect with the USA Telecom team via www.usatelecomins.com.
By J. Sharpe Smith, Inside Towers Technology Editor
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