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 a multi-million dollar company, BTIS still 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.
innovation with
personal touch
Part of the Amynta Group, BTIS has always pushed the boundaries of technology through adopting or developing systems early in order to stay ahead of the wave. But we still have a small business attitude, and believe in building and fostering solid relationships through communication and genuine concern for our customers.
We offer a wide range of commercial lines and are focused on developing and implementing cutting-edge technology to provide individual service, exceptional value, ease of use and rapid turnaround times.
meet
norbie
Introducing Norbie, the new mascot of BTIS!
Norbie is a tribute to Norbert Hohlbein, the original owner of btis and father of our co-presidents, Paul and Jeff Hohlbein. Nobert was known for his boldness, sternness, and likability. Nobert was affectionately referred to as a gorilla by those who knew him, and his legacy lives on through our new mascot.
Norbie represents the values that Norbert embodies: strength, resilience, and approachability. Norbert is a man who can command a room with his presence but also has a warm and approachable demeanor that makes people feel comfortable around him. He was a mentor to many, and his legacy continues to inspire our company to this day.
Our co-presidents decided to create Norbie as a way to honor their father and to bring his spirit into our company culture. Norbie is a representation of the values that Norbert instilled in his children and the principles that our company stands for. Norbie will serve as a powerful symbol of our commitment to excellence, integrity, and teamwork.
Norbie's design was inspired by Norbert's likeness, with a few creative flourishes added to give him a unique personality of his own. Norbie is a friendly and approachable gorilla who’s always up for a good time, with a big smile and an even bigger heart.
At btis, Norbie will serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for our employees. His presence will remind us of the importance of embodying Norbert's values in everything we do, from our daily interactions with our colleagues to our long-term business strategies. Norbie will help us to stay true to our mission of providing exceptional service to our agents and fun to our company culture.
the history of btis
1968
In the beginning...
Norbert began his insurance career in Wisconsin with the Combined Group, selling insurance door-to-door.
1970
On the way up...
Soon after, Norbert moved on to become an Allstate agent, selling insurance in a local Sears department store. After working his way up the ranks, he eventually transitioned to a field sales manager position within the Allstate insurance company
1971-01-01
XX years later, Norbert accepted a district manager position at Century Insurance in Illinois.
1972-01-01
After several smaller business ventures across the country, Norbert’s last agency appointment was with American Eagle Insurance out of Dallas, Texas. It was here where Norbert created a specialty artisan contractors’ program for American Eagle until deciding to move on.
1997-01-01
Norbert calls a family meeting with his two sons, daughter, and son-in-law to discuss plans for a business venture that they could start from the ground up – together, as a family. It wasn’t too long before that initial idea evolved into a business plan binder that the family presented to specific insurance carriers.
1998-01-01
A year later, that initial family meeting evolved into a strategic business plan and Builders & Tradesmen’s Insurance Services, Inc. was born, resulting in the company’s first appointment with General Accident Insurance.
the evolution of btis
1999-01-01
Builders & Tradesmen’s Insurance Services hits $1 million in premiums
2001-01-01
The company’s innovative indication/submission platform, Navigator, goes live.
2005-01-01
Builders & Tradesmen’s Insurance Services, Inc. forms the DBA of BTIS to expand its mix of products.
2011-01-01
BTIS merged with the Amynta Group, a premier insurance services company specializing in Property, Casualty and Specialty insurance with 2,000 associates across North America, Europe and Australia.
2023-01-01
Heading
(25 years later): While Norbert has since retired, BTIS continues to push the boundaries of technology – adopting and developing systems to best serve our retail broker family. While we have grown, we still maintain our original small business attitude, building and fostering solid relationships based on a genuine concern for our customers.