#USA #Chattanooga #Transportation #Higginbotham #ReFuel Leadership

Higginbotham Transportation Practice Becomes Full Division

Overview
In a significant move to adapt to the evolving landscape of the transportation industry, Higginbotham has transitioned its thriving Transportation specialty practice into a full division. This strategic change allows the team to better invest in staff dedicated to the transport sector, enhance service offerings, and implement vital industry initiatives. The division’s formal launch comes at a critical time when various stakeholders within the transportation sector face mounting legal, insurance, and operational pressures.

Addressing Industry Challenges

The current transportation environment is fraught with challenges. Rising fuel, payroll, and insurance costs—often the largest individual expenses for trucking companies—are causing strain across the board. Motor carriers are further challenged as they navigate complex legal and regulatory landscapes that evolve with each state line they cross. A pivotal U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC has further complicated matters, placing new liabilities on brokers who may be held accountable for accidents involving the carriers they select.

Brent Allred, Managing Partner and leader of the Transportation Division at Higginbotham, commented on the implications of the Montgomery ruling, emphasizing the need for transportation brokers to reassess their exposure and its potential effects on their insurance policies and operational requirements. He noted, “This could create a ripple effect throughout the entire shipping chain.”

To address these pressing matters, Higginbotham is organizing the ReFuel Leadership Conference, scheduled for October 27-28, 2026, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This conference aims to bring together leaders from the industry to discuss the far-reaching impacts of the Montgomery ruling alongside other relevant issues, including claims management, compliance, and evolving legal environments. Joe DiPaola from U.S. Marine Insurance Group is set to deliver insights on the aforementioned ruling, while a panel of representatives from trucking associations across states will discuss collaborative approaches to shared challenges.

Bridging Gaps in the Industry

Higginbotham’s commitment to fostering dialogue is central to its objectives at the ReFuel conference. Allred underlined the importance of collaboration, stating, “The goal with ReFuel is to get motor carriers, insurance carriers, and others in the industry together to bridge gaps. The more we engage in these discussions, the better prepared we’ll be for what lies ahead.”

Furthermore, the diversity of challenges facing the transportation industry is mirrored in the considerable growth of Higginbotham's operations in this field. The specialty practice originally began at Lipscomb Pitts in Memphis, which partnered with Higginbotham in 2020. Allred took the reins in March 2021, promptly expanding the service and support team by welcoming fourteen new members within ten months—more than doubling the existing workforce at that time. The team has continued to increase, specializing further and extending its reach across the Southeast and Midwest, ultimately leading to its designation as Higginbotham's Transportation Division in 2026. The division is now home to 31 members with a collective experience of 372 years in transportation insurance.

Enhanced Investment in Transportation Resources

Achieving division status empowers the team to allocate resources more effectively toward transportation-focused tools and services, one of which is a tailored adaptation of Higginbotham's renowned Day Two Services®. This model incorporates professionals who not only have experience in insurance but also come from transportation backgrounds, allowing them to customize solutions to meet the unique operational and insurance needs of each client.

Higginbotham’s Chairman and CEO, Rusty Reid, emphasized the distinctive nature of transportation insurance, highlighting that the division possesses the expertise necessary to navigate its complexities effectively. He remarked, “Transportation insurance is a highly specialized business… This team knows what they’re doing, deeply. And that gives us tremendous ability to keep serving our clients—and keep growing.”

Further Information

For more insights about the ReFuel Leadership Conference or to register, visit refuelleadershipconference.com.

About Higginbotham

Established in 1948, Higginbotham is an employee-owned powerhouse in insurance, financial services, and employee benefits, merging national reach with local proficiency. As of 2026, Higginbotham stands as the 16th largest independent insurance brokerage in the U.S. according to The Hales Report. The firm is devoted to providing customized programs bolstered by its Day Two Services®, ensuring proactive support for clients throughout their policy lifecycle. With a strong commitment to a values-driven culture, Higginbotham prioritizes relationships with employees, clients, carrier partners, and the communities in which it operates. For more information, visit higginbotham.com.