Name: Higginbotham
Address: US

Insurance in Brookhaven, MS

Navigating the world of insurance can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to finding the right policy for your unique situation. That’s where Higginbotham comes in. Our team of insurance and risk management specialists are committed to providing comprehensive coverage solutions to Brookhaven businesses and individuals alike. Whether you need to protect your car, insure your business or improve your company’s employee benefits, we’re here to help.

Higginbotham entered Brookhaven in 2022 after partnering with Insurance & Risk Managers (IRM). IRM was founded in 1993 after the merger of Underwriters Insurance Agency and Smith Insurance Agency, but has roots dating back to 1902. With a history of over 120 years of service to south Mississippi businesses and individuals, IRM combines localized knowledge with Higginbotham’s robust resources.

Brookhaven Business Insurance

Brookhaven’s businesses require tailored commercial insurance solutions to safeguard their assets and operations. Higginbotham’s team in Brookhaven understands the local and industry-specific risks your business may face, working to secure cost-effective coverage that offers optimal protection for your enterprise.

Our brokers specialize in a variety of industries prevalent in Brookhaven, including:

Safeguard your business from potential liabilities with commercial coverage, such as:

Logging Insurance

Our Brookhaven team understands that working and doing business in the logging and forestry industry comes with its own set of risks. That’s why we offer commercial insurance tailored specifically for companies involved in lumber and wood production. Our logging insurance solutions are designed to provide a safety net, helping to protect your equipment, your team and your business from unexpected events.

Your work is about more than cutting down trees or staining wood; it’s about the legacy you’re building, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Public Entity Insurance

Public entities play a vital role in the growth and development of our Brookhaven community. But, municipalities, public schools and other governmental organizations face an intricate landscape of risks, and these risks demand a protective partner and comprehensive insurance policies. That’s where our Brookhaven team comes in.

We offer tailored insurance and risk management services designed to meet the diverse needs of public institutions. From safeguarding public assets to providing a cushion against liability claims, our public entity insurance solutions are designed to help your organization to focus on driving progress and upholding the welfare of the community.

Construction Insurance and Bonds

The construction sector involves a complex interplay of planning, execution and overcoming unforeseen challenges and delays. Our Brookhaven specialists understand your industry and design tailored construction insurance solutions to help shield your operations from risks like job site injuries, equipment damage and unexpected design errors.

And, we offer a suite of bonds to help cement trust and compliance in your business dealings. From warranty to performance bonds, our surety bond solutions are designed to act as a handshake of trust, reassuring your partners of your commitment to uphold contract terms.

Manager checking work on construction site

Employee Benefits Solutions

For businesses of all sizes, a top priority is attracting and retaining talent, and a key strategy to achieve this is offering comprehensive employee benefits. Higginbotham provides employee benefit services in Brookhaven, including group benefit plans, corporate wellness programs, benefit communications and additional options to help enhance your overall benefits offerings. We work to create a benefits package that caters to your employees’ needs and fits within your organization’s budget constraints. This may include coverage options such as:

Higginbotham also assists businesses in administering health benefits, controlling costs and providing responsive support to help create a smooth benefits experience for both employers and employees.

Your Brookhaven Insurance Partner

As one of the nation’s largest independent insurance, financial and HR services firms, Higginbotham provides customer-focused insurance solutions for Brookhaven residents and businesses. With a national network of offices, our team has the resources and expertise to guide you through the complex world of insurance and to help you find the best policy for your needs.

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Meet Our Brookhaven Team

Mike Smith

Mike Smith attended the University of Mississippi, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1971. Five years later, he bought his first insurance agency, later merging the agency with Smith Insurance Agency to form a cluster of Mississippi insurance agencies known as Insurance & Risk Managers. In 2022, Mike joined forces with Higginbotham to offer more insurance products and resources to his client base.

Mike has taken on leadership roles in many civic and charitable organizations, serving president of the Kiwanis Club, Brookhaven Country Club and Lincoln County Ole Miss Alumnae Association, as well as chair of the United Givers Fund, Lincoln County Cancer Fund and his local chapter of the American Heart Association. He and his wife, Cindy, have raised four children, including their son, Josh, who serves as a managing partner at Higginbotham.

Josh Smith

Josh Smith attended the University of Mississippi, receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration in insurance and risk management. After graduating from Ole Miss, he gained invaluable experience working as an underwriter with Chubb and a commercial marketing executive with McGriff, Seibels & Williams.

In 2005, he decided to leave the environment of publicly held financial institutions to focus on providing personalized insurance services to smaller, more niche businesses. In 2022, Josh and his firm joined the Higginbotham family, further strengthening their ability to deliver risk management solutions to their clients nationwide.

Josh and his wife, Sloane, live in Brookhaven with their three children, Sara Rodgers, Hampton and Emmie.

Terry Pendley

Terry holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Mississippi State University and a Master of Business Administration from Mississippi College. He began his career as an insurance producer for Old South Insurance Agency in Copiah County before becoming an owner of the agency. In that role, Terry and Old South served as the marketing arm for Zurich’s public entity insurance program in Mississippi.

In 2019, Old South Insurance Group, Inc. merged with Insurance & Risk Managers, and in 2022, Terry joined the Higginbotham family after IRM became a Higginbotham partner. Terry holds designations as a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Certificated Risk Manager (CRM) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM).

Terry and his wife, Deana, have four children, Julia, Sallie, Taylor and JT.

Shawn Munson

Shawn Munson, a native of Streator, Illinois, moved to the south to play golf for the University of Southern Mississippi. After 10 years in the golf business and 18 years in sales for a window manufacturer, Shawn entered the insurance industry.

He has a focus on industrial accounts and personal lines, working to offer complete insurance solutions that meet the needs of his clients. No one likes surprises, so Shawn is committed to communicating with his clients during their policy term to make sure their coverage stays up to date.

Shawn and his wife Konya live in Summit, Mississippi, and have one daughter, Madison.

Vonda Laird

Vonda Laird is a lifelong resident of Brookhaven, Mississippi. She began her career in the insurance industry in 1996. Vonda specializes in commercial insurance programs for Mississippi’s logging industry, but also offers her clients a wealth of knowledge in many other fields.

Vonda is married to Johnny Smith and has two daughters, Nicole and Laina, and one son, Jeremy. She is also a grandmother to 10 wonderful grandchildren.

Ben Burns

Ben Burns graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history and coaching & sports administration from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1993. Ben has more than 15 years of experience in commercial insurance, with specializations in the construction and logging industries.

Ben is a lifelong resident of Brookhaven, Mississippi. He has one son, Nickolas, and a daughter-in-law, Maggie.