Unilink

Unilink S.A. operates as a major insurance distribution platform in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), functioning as a multi-agency that provides a wide array of insurance products from over 40 insurance companies. The company was founded in 2002, initially distributing consumer finance products, and pivoted to an insurance distribution strategy in 2010 with Igor Rusinowski joining the business and later becoming CEO. Rusinowski, who previously held roles at Link4, has been instrumental in the company's expansion. A significant milestone in Unilink's history was the 2018 investment by Enterprise Investors, which acquired a 38.4% stake, fueling a period of dynamic growth and a series of acquisitions. This strategic expansion culminated in Unilink's acquisition by Acrisure, a global fintech and insurance broker, in April 2023, a move designed to accelerate international development. The management team, led by Rusinowski, remained with the company post-acquisition.

The company's business model is centered on multi-channel distribution, with a primary focus on its extensive network of agents. Unilink collaborates with approximately 16,500 agents and brokers across 3,000 branches, serving over 10.3 million customers in the CEE region. Its revenue is generated through commissions from the sale of insurance policies. The product portfolio is comprehensive, covering non-life and life insurance products for individual and business clients. Offerings include motor, property, travel, life, and health insurance, as well as specialized products for businesses such as professional and carrier liability. In addition to its core agency business, Unilink operates as a Managing General Agent (MGA) in Poland (Unext) and Romania (Next Ins Pro), which involves underwriting and managing insurance products on behalf of insurers.

Unilink has pursued an aggressive growth strategy through acquisitions, establishing itself as a market leader in Poland and expanding its footprint to include Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Greece. Key acquisitions include I&G Insurance Brokers in Bulgaria, Safety Broker in Romania, and INSIA in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The company's goal is to control a significant share of the insurance distribution market in the CEE region. This expansion strategy focuses on acquiring entities and retaining their founders to continue managing the local operations, fostering continued growth within each market.

Keywords: insurance distribution, multi-agency, Central and Eastern Europe insurance, insurance broker, MGA, Managing General Agent, non-life insurance, life insurance, Acrisure, agent network, insurance consolidation, property & casualty, motor insurance, corporate insurance, Igor Rusinowski, Polish insurance market, CEE insurance, insurance services, Unext, Safety Broker, INSIA, I&G Insurance Brokers