about btis

“We’ve always made it our goal to serve the underserved segment of the market. Serving as a conduit, we have provided our insurance family with a truly different product and delivery method from the very beginning. Today, we continue to evolve on the technology front to better serve our customers.”
~ Paul Hohlbein, President of BTIS

“At the heart of BTIS is our commitment to our retail broker family and carriers. From the very beginning, we continue to practice what we truly believe in, and that is that customer service is an attitude, not a department.”
~ Jeffrey Hohlbein, Co-President and General Counsel at btis

“The idea behind Builders & Tradesmen’s Insurance Services was to help brokers move more new business indications through the pipeline as quickly and efficiently as possible. This innovative process became the genesis of our 5-minute quote turnaround – something that other companies at that time couldn’t provide.”
~ Paul Hohlbein, President of btis

crafting a legacy

Founded in 1998 in Rocklin, California, Builders & Tradesmen's Insurance Services, Inc. (BTIS) is the brainchild of Norbert Hohlbein. With the help of his sons Paul and Hank, his daughter Lisa, and his son-in-law Jeff, he built BTIS around a Small Artisan Contractor General Liability program. From the ground up, this program was focused on speed and ease of use for insurance producers. An online price indication system, comparative rater, and email correspondence paired with unparalleled customer service made for the fastest and simplest way for producers to quote and bind commercial accounts.

It wasn't long before BTIS expanded to offer Contractors License Bonds, Builders Risk, Inland Marine, Commercial Auto, BOP, Excess, and Workers' Compensation. Now, BTIS controls over $400M in premium and offers every producer the same small business rapport, and superior customer service.

BTIS is committed to providing quality, robust, individualized products and the highest level of service. We ensure each client feels confident and secure in selecting us as their provider, and are dedicated to the success of our customers. By offering education and sales tools, we allow producers to be a trusted source for insurance that their clients, in turn, can rely upon.

BTIS is a financially stable, nationwide wholesale intermediary with a small business attitude. We believe in building and fostering solid relationships through communication and genuine concern for our customers. Although we now offer a wide range of commercial lines, we remain focused on individual service, exceptional value, ease of use, and rapid turnaround times.

New Frontier Alert: We're thrilled to announce our expansion into the Canadian market, bringing our specialized insurance solutions and unmatched customer service to a whole new audience.

“We’ve always made it our goal to serve the underserved segment of the market. Serving as a conduit, we have provided our insurance family with a truly different product and delivery method from the very beginning. Today, we continue to evolve on the technology front to better serve our customers.”
~ Paul Hohlbein, President of BTIS

“At the heart of BTIS is our commitment to our retail broker family and carriers. From the very beginning, we continue to practice what we truly believe in, and that is that customer service is an attitude, not a department.”
~ Jeffrey Hohlbein, Co-President and General Counsel at btis

“The idea behind Builders & Tradesmen’s Insurance Services was to help brokers move more new business indications through the pipeline as quickly and efficiently as possible. This innovative process became the genesis of our 5-minute quote turnaround – something that other companies at that time couldn’t provide.”
~ Paul Hohlbein, President of btis

innovation with
personal touch

As a member of the Amynta Group, BTIS has consistently been at the forefront of tech innovation. We've been early adopters or creators of new systems to keep us ahead of the curve. But don't let that fool you; we've still got that small business vibe. We're all about building strong relationships through real talk and actually caring about our customers.

We've got a diverse lineup of commercial insurance options, and we're always on the hunt for the next big thing in tech to make your life easier. Expect personalized service, top-notch value, user-friendly experiences, and quick turnarounds.

norbertnew

meet
norbie

Introducing Norbie, the new ambassador of BTIS!

Meet Norbie, BTIS's new mascot! Norbie pays homage to Norbert Hohlbein, the original founder of BTIS and dad to our co-leaders, Paul and Jeff Hohlbein. Known for his strong character, straightforwardness, and charm, Norbert has earned the affectionate nickname of a gorilla among those who know him well.

Norbie embodies the qualities Norbert is known for toughness, resilience, and a welcoming nature. Norbert has the ability to captivate a room while also making people feel at ease. He's mentored many, and his impact continues to shape our company.

norbertnew

To honor their father, our co-presidents introduced Norbie to infuse his spirit into our work culture. Norbie symbolizes the principles Norbert passed down and what our company stands for. He's a vivid reminder of our dedication to excellence, honesty, and collaboration.

Inspired by Norbert's features, Norbie's design has its own unique flair. He's a friendly gorilla with a big smile and an even bigger heart. Norbie will be a constant source of inspiration, reminding us to live out Norbert's values in all we do, from team interactions to our approach to customer service.