Business Details
Your Trusted Insurance Partner in Palo Alto
Allied Brokers has been serving clients since the 1950s, founded by Ben Grammar with a commitment to personalized insurance solutions. Our leadership team, including President James Hawkins and Partner Ron Bland, brings decades of combined experience in property, casualty, and employee benefits insurance. We specialize in negotiating competitive rates through relationships with major carriers, focusing on tailored coverage for businesses, healthcare professionals, and individuals. Our licensed specialists provide comprehensive reports comparing carrier offerings, ensuring clients receive optimal protection. With offices in Palo Alto and satellite locations across California, we combine local expertise with nationwide service capabilities. Our team includes seasoned professionals like Director of Operations Kelley Salomaa and Director of Commercial Sales Mimi Watson, who ensure seamless client support.We maintain strong partnerships with underwriters and adjustors to streamline claims processes, particularly for complex cases involving high-value properties or specialized industries. Our history of succession planning demonstrates our commitment to continuity, having transitioned ownership to experienced partners while retaining founder Ben Grammar as a consultant until his passing in 2023. We prioritize direct client relationships over hierarchical structures, ensuring every client interacts with experienced agents rather than administrative staff. This approach has allowed us to maintain consistent service quality while adapting to evolving insurance market demands.
Services
Business Insurance
Personal Insurance
Employee Benefits
Dentists Insurance
Workers Compensation
Highlights and features
- We have over 15 years of experience in employee benefits consulting
- Our team includes licensed specialists in property and casualty insurance
- We maintain direct relationships with major insurance carriers and underwriters
- We provide written comparative reports of carrier offerings for transparent decision-making
- Our leadership team has managed successful insurance placements since the 1950s
Services
Business Insurance
We provide comprehensive business insurance solutions including property, equipment, and liability protection. Our specialists negotiate optimal rates for general liability, cyber security, and directors & officers coverage. We focus on creating customized packages for apartment associations, medical professionals, and specialty industries.
Personal Insurance
Our personal insurance services cover auto, home, and umbrella policies with specialized options for high-value properties and unique assets. We offer protection for exotic vehicles, vacation homes, and high fire-risk areas while providing claims support through adjustor coordination.
Employee Benefits
We design comprehensive employee benefits packages including group health plans and life insurance. Our award-winning team provides compliance assessments and plan administration support to help businesses attract and retain top talent through competitive benefit offerings.
Dentists Insurance
Our healthcare professional program offers bundled insurance solutions for dentists and physicians. We provide malpractice protection, cyber liability coverage, and business property insurance tailored to the evolving needs of medical practices and surgical centers.
Workers Compensation
We offer workers compensation insurance across all business types with specialized expertise in high-risk industries. Our specialists help businesses implement safety programs while negotiating competitive rates through our carrier partnerships.
People
James Hawkins
President
President James Hawkins leads property and casualty operations with 20+ years of experience in commercial insurance. He specializes in risk management solutions for complex business structures.
Ron Bland
Partner and CFO
Partner Ron Bland oversees employee benefits with 15+ years in group health and life insurance. He manages financial operations and strategic partnerships with major carriers.
Kelley Salomaa
Director of Operations
Director of Operations Kelley Salomaa manages day-to-day agency functions with expertise in insurance operations. She ensures efficient service delivery across all client segments.
Mimi Watson
Director of Commercial Sales
Director of Commercial Sales Mimi Watson specializes in business insurance placements. She develops strategic relationships with commercial clients and insurance carriers.
Questions
What types of business insurance do you offer?
We offer general liability, property insurance, cyber liability, directors & officers coverage, and workers compensation for businesses of all sizes.
Do you specialize in healthcare professional insurance?
Yes, we provide tailored coverage for dentists, physicians, and surgeons including malpractice protection and practice-specific liability insurance.
How do you help with employee benefits?
We design customized group health plans and life insurance packages while providing compliance support and plan administration services.
What personal insurance products are available?
We offer home, auto, and umbrella insurance with specialized options for high-value properties and unique assets.
Where are your offices located?
Our main office is in Palo Alto with satellite locations in San Jose, San Leandro, and San Mateo serving clients nationwide.