Deal Watch: RT Specialty Completes Acquisition of J.M. Wilson
What It Means for Hospitality Insurance Buyers
The headline: On July 1, 2025, Ryan Specialty (NYSE: RYAN) closed its acquisition of Michigan-based MGA/wholesaler J.M. Wilson. JM Wilson joins RT Binding Authority, expanding RT’s Midwest binding presence—especially in transportation—and adding ~$19M in trailing operating revenue. Terms weren’t disclosed at signing; subsequent trade reporting pegged consideration around $90M (cash + units). Ryan Specialty+2Insurance Business America+2
Why it matters to hotel owners and retail brokers:
Access & speed: Binding authority scale in the Midwest should mean faster small-to-mid E&S placements (think monoline property, excess, liquor, and niche casualty), with RT underwriting resources centralized for throughput. RT Specialty
Market clout: Consolidation can strengthen facility terms/limits in tough classes, but it can also reduce the number of competing binders. Expect more consistent underwriting appetites—and potentially tighter underwriting discipline—across RT’s platforms. targetmkts.com
Local presence: RT opened a Detroit-area office concurrent with the deal, improving on-the-ground relationships for Michigan accounts. Crain's Grand Rapids Business
Investor/insured playbook:
Re-benchmark appetites: If you’ve historically bound with JM Wilson on hospitality, confirm any appetite/portal changes under RT and whether new facilities (or higher umbrella capacity) are available post-integration. RT Specialty
Leverage scale: Consolidators often roll out new underwriting tools. Ask about engineering credits, risk-control requirements, and whether multi-location hospitality schedules can benefit from program pricing. Ryan Specialty