Higginbotham expands franchise insurance capabilities with Program Insurance Group and EZ CERT acquisition

Higginbotham, one of the largest independent insurance, financial, and HR services firms in the United States, has expanded its footprint in the franchise insurance sector through a new partnership with Program Insurance Group. The Georgetown, Texas-based firm is known for its specialization in business and personal insurance, as well as its proprietary EZ CERT certificate tracking service, which ensures compliance for franchisors and franchisees. This acquisition strengthens Higginbotham’s capabilities in franchise insurance compliance while providing Program Insurance Group with enhanced resources and national support.

This strategic move aligns with Higginbotham’s ongoing growth strategy, which focuses on forming alliances with firms that share its commitment to client service, employee support, and community engagement. By integrating Program Insurance Group’s expertise, Higginbotham gains a well-established insurance service designed to address the unique challenges faced by franchise businesses.

Expanding Franchise Insurance Compliance with EZ CERT

The acquisition of EZ CERT, a leading certificate tracking service, represents a significant development in franchise risk management. Ensuring franchise insurance compliance is a complex process, particularly due to the varied coverage requirements imposed by franchisors across multiple locations. Many franchise operators struggle with tracking insurance certificates for franchisees, leading to potential gaps in coverage and regulatory non-compliance. EZ CERT streamlines this process by automating certificate tracking, reducing administrative burdens, and ensuring franchises remain protected.

Franchise businesses operate under unique financial and contractual models that make insurance compliance more challenging than traditional industries. While homebuilders can enforce compliance through direct payments to contractors, franchisors often have less control, as franchisees independently manage their insurance policies. The EZ CERT system simplifies compliance by consolidating insurance information in a centralized platform, ensuring that required policies are maintained across franchise networks.

By incorporating EZ CERT into its broader service portfolio, Higginbotham is positioned to offer more comprehensive risk management solutions to franchise businesses. With a growing demand for automated compliance tools, this acquisition provides franchisors with a more efficient method to track and verify insurance coverage across their networks.

Enhancing Franchise Risk Management with Industry Expertise

With this acquisition, Higginbotham is set to enhance its franchise risk management capabilities by leveraging its industry expertise and specialized client services. The company provides a range of services, including loss control programs, claims management, and tailored insurance solutions designed to protect businesses from financial risks. By integrating these services with EZ CERT, Higginbotham aims to create a seamless insurance compliance system that supports both franchisors and franchisees.

Experts in franchise risk management highlight the importance of proactive compliance solutions. Without a streamlined system, franchisors face significant challenges in monitoring whether franchisees maintain the required levels of insurance. The risk of non-compliance can lead to financial liabilities, reputational damage, and legal complications. Automated solutions like EZ CERT mitigate these risks by offering real-time tracking, automated notifications, and simplified reporting.

By combining Higginbotham’s extensive client network with Program Insurance Group’s specialized services, franchise businesses will benefit from enhanced compliance solutions, reduced administrative workload, and improved financial protection. As regulatory requirements continue to evolve, access to an efficient certificate tracking system ensures that businesses remain compliant and safeguarded against potential risks.

Strategic Growth and Employee-Centric Culture

Beyond the operational benefits, the partnership between Higginbotham and Program Insurance Group reflects a shared commitment to employee development and client-focused service. Higginbotham’s employee-ownership model is a key differentiator, ensuring that team members are directly invested in the firm’s success. This structure has contributed to the company’s reputation for transparency, stability, and long-term growth.

Program Insurance Group, which has built its business on personalized service and deep industry expertise, benefits from Higginbotham’s extensive training programs and operational support. Employees gain access to additional resources, technology, and professional development opportunities, allowing them to better serve clients while advancing their careers. The integration of these teams strengthens the overall service offering, ensuring a smooth transition for clients and continued growth for both firms.

The collaboration also enables Program Insurance Group to scale its services without losing its customer-centric approach. As part of Higginbotham’s network, the firm can leverage expanded capabilities, advanced analytics, and industry partnerships to deliver even greater value to franchise operators and business owners nationwide.

Future of Franchise Insurance Compliance

With the growing complexity of insurance compliance requirements, franchise businesses are increasingly seeking automated solutions to manage policies and reduce administrative burdens. The integration of EZ CERT into Higginbotham’s service portfolio marks a significant step in modernizing franchise insurance compliance. By offering a streamlined tracking system, franchisors can focus on business growth while ensuring their networks remain protected.

This acquisition positions Higginbotham as a leader in franchise risk management, combining its deep industry knowledge with innovative compliance technology. As more businesses recognize the need for proactive insurance tracking, solutions like EZ CERT will play a critical role in shaping the future of risk management in the franchise sector.

With this expansion, Higginbotham reaffirms its commitment to innovation, customer service, and strategic growth, ensuring that franchise businesses across the country have access to the resources they need to succeed.