Blake Roberts, Vice President, Roberts Insurance Group

Roberts Insurance Group, founded in 1983, transitioned to an independent agency in 2006, expanding its offerings to over 100 carriers. In an interview with Invest:, Vice President Blake Roberts emphasized the firm’s commitment to client service, leveraging AI-driven efficiencies and proactive claims support. “What sets us apart is our ability to offer better products, policy terms and endorsements,” he noted.

What is the history of Roberts Insurance Group, and what sets it apart?

Roberts Insurance Group was founded in 1983 by my father, Wayne. At that time, we were strictly a Nationwide agency, meaning we could only write policies with Nationwide. If Nationwide didn’t offer a competitive product or the coverage a client needed, we had to refer them elsewhere, which wasn’t ideal for us or our clients. Around 2006, Nationwide allowed its Florida agents to go independent, which was probably the best thing that ever happened to our agency. This shift gave us access to over 100 carriers, with potentially another 100 or 200 more through brokerage markets, allowing us to better serve our clients’ unique needs. Today, we specialize in all forms of personal insurance, including home, auto, flood, umbrella and ancillary products like boats, RVs and motorcycles. We also have a growing commercial insurance sector, focusing on condo associations, contracting trades like plumbing and electrical, and large commercial properties such as shopping centers. Our team has grown to 24 employees, and we take great pride in the service and expertise we provide.

Florida’s recent hurricane seasons have been brutal. In 2024, we saw two major storms — Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton — hit within days of each other. In 2022, Hurricane Ian caused even greater destruction. These are the moments when we prove our commitment to our clients. We were taking claims the same day the storms hit, even working remotely when necessary. If there was anything positive that came from COVID, it was learning that we could work efficiently in a fully remote environment. That experience prepared us for handling claims in real time during major catastrophes, ensuring our clients got the help they needed immediately.

What types of insurance products have seen the highest demand recently, and why?

Home insurance continues to be a major challenge for homeowners due to rising costs. The more volatile the legal and regulatory environment in Florida, the more it affects home insurance rates. Many people in the state are struggling with these high costs, but we’re finally seeing some signs of stabilization. While we may not see rate reductions, we’re starting to see a slowdown in rate increases, which is an encouraging shift. Auto insurance is another area where Florida remains among the top three or four most expensive states in the country. There are multiple reasons for this, including the high number of drivers, frequent accidents and expensive litigation costs. These factors will continue to keep Florida’s auto insurance rates higher than those in other states with fewer drivers and a more favorable regulatory environment.

Why is operating in the Tampa Bay region an advantage for Roberts Insurance Group?

We take great pride in being deeply connected to our community. Our motto is “Committed to Our Community,” and we differentiate ourselves by providing hands-on support when clients need us most. We’re likely the largest agency in the Venice area, and one of the ways we stand out is by guiding clients through the claims process. Many people have never had to file a claim before, so when they do, they often don’t know what to expect. Our team includes claims experts who help clients navigate the process, whether that means providing policy numbers and contact information or explaining what’s covered and what’s not. While we don’t make the final decisions on claim approvals, we ensure our clients have the information and support they need to move forward.

How is Roberts Insurance Group addressing affordability concerns for homeowners?

This is a tough issue, especially for those who have paid off their mortgages and aren’t required to carry home insurance. Some homeowners are choosing to forego wind coverage or drop home insurance entirely, which is their choice. However, given the destruction we’ve seen in the past few storm seasons, it’s a significant risk. We work with clients to explore coverage options that balance protection with affordability. For example, adjusting coverage or increasing deductibles can help reduce premiums while still maintaining essential protection. We’ve also been strongly advocating for flood insurance, especially after the extreme flooding from recent storms. Some condo associations that hadn’t flooded in 50 years saw major flood damage twice in just 12 days. Flood insurance is more critical than ever, and unfortunately, with the high number of payouts, rates will continue to rise. The federal government must sustain the program, and the math simply requires higher premiums.

What regulatory changes could impact clients in the coming year?

At the end of 2022, we saw legislative reforms that were highly beneficial to insurance companies. Before those changes, Florida saw about 21 insurance companies go insolvent or leave the state due to fraudulent claims and excessive lawsuits. The reforms have helped stabilize the market, and 2023 was one of the most profitable years in a while for property insurance carriers.

As a result, we’re seeing rates start to stabilize, especially in the commercial sector. For newer buildings or those farther inland, some clients are even seeing rate decreases, while older buildings or those near the coast are at least experiencing smaller rate increases compared to previous years. This shift is a positive sign for policyholders, and we hope to see similar improvements in the auto insurance sector moving forward.

What strategies are you using to attract and retain top talent?

Talent acquisition is always a challenge. Insurance is a great industry, but it’s not always easy to sell that idea to people who aren’t already in it. It’s a competitive, high-pressure business, but it’s also rewarding when we help clients recover from a loss. We focus on offering a strong benefits package, competitive pay and a positive work environment. We’re always looking to hire, whether it’s experienced professionals or people new to the industry whom we can train. Retaining talent is just as important, and we continuously evaluate how we can improve to keep our team engaged and committed to the company.

What is your vision for the future of the insurance industry, and how is Roberts Insurance Group adapting?

The insurance industry is always changing, and we stay on top of new carriers, policy options, and market trends. We regularly meet with our existing carriers to discuss new products, deductible structures and policy enhancements. Our goal is always to offer stable, long-term solutions that provide real value to our clients. We are one of the leading property and casualty insurance agencies in Southwest Florida, and we’re committed to continuing our growth while providing excellent service to our clients. Our focus remains on standing out through strong client relationships, responsiveness and expertise.