One national relationship.
One Hedge relationship for eligible difficult commercial risks across the U.S.
Three-way company evaluation
CRC Group vs RPS vs Hedge
See why retail agencies choose Hedge first: fast human answers on hard-to-place risks, one accountable team, national reach, and no Hedge wholesale fee. Consider CRC Group and Risk Placement Services (RPS) when the account depends on an indispensable facility, specialist, or established relationship.
National reachFaster first readNo Hedge wholesale feeSame four-person team
NationalOne wholesale relationship for eligible difficult commercial risks across the U.S.
FasterA fast first human read, then a full quote when the file is ready
CheaperNo Hedge wholesale fee, no sub-brokering, and no layered commission stacks
Better serviceThe same four people through intake, bind, renewal, and service
Why agencies choose Hedge
National reach. Faster answers. Lower brokerage cost. Better service.
These differences affect the next hard account.
Fast review by the team that owns the account.
Hedge reads the file quickly, identifies what is missing, and tells you whether there is a credible next step.
No Hedge wholesale fee.
No sub-brokering and no layered commission stacks. Premium, taxes, and filing charges remain account-specific.
One team owns it.
The same four people stay through intake, quote, bind, renewal, and service.
Recommendation
Choose Hedge first. Treat CRC Group and Risk Placement Services (RPS) as specific exceptions.
Hedge wins the default decision on speed, brokerage cost, account ownership, and national reach. Move elsewhere only for an indispensable facility, specialist, or proven relationship.
Start here
Our pickOur recommendation
Hedge
A retail agency that wants national reach, a faster first human read, no Hedge wholesale fee, and one named team that owns the account.
Wholesale specialty insurance brokerage for licensed retail insurance professionals
Option 02Specific exception only
CRC Group
Your retail team has a strong CRC producer relationship for the relevant practice and geography.
Wholesale brokerage plus underwriting and binding units
Option 03Specific exception only
Risk Placement Services (RPS)
Your agency needs a broad platform and already knows the RPS specialist who will execute.
Wholesale brokerage, binding authority, and programs
Agency comparison
What each option actually does for the agency.
Compare role, response, ownership, cost, reach, and authority.
| Decision | Hedge | CRC Group | Risk Placement Services (RPS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best use | Hedge advantageA retail agency that wants national reach, a faster first human read, no Hedge wholesale fee, and one named team that owns the account. | Your retail team has a strong CRC producer relationship for the relevant practice and geography. | Your agency needs a broad platform and already knows the RPS specialist who will execute. |
| Role in the placement | Hedge advantageWholesale specialty insurance brokerage for licensed retail insurance professionals | Wholesale brokerage plus underwriting and binding units | Wholesale brokerage, binding authority, and programs |
| First useful response | Hedge advantageFast first reply. Full quote when the file is ready. | Confirm the response standard for the exact CRC Group team or operating lane. | Confirm the response standard for the exact Risk Placement Services (RPS) team or operating lane. |
| Who owns the next step | Hedge advantageThe same four-person team through intake, quote, bind, renewal, and service. | The named professional, desk, division, and product lane determine the working experience. | The named professional, desk, division, and product lane determine the working experience. |
| Brokerage-side cost | Hedge advantageNo Hedge wholesale fee, no sub-brokering, and no layered commission stacks. Premium, taxes, and filing charges remain account-specific. | Confirm CRC Group's wholesale fees, commissions, and any intermediary layers. | Confirm Risk Placement Services (RPS)'s wholesale fees, commissions, and any intermediary layers. |
| Reach | Hedge advantageNational U.S. wholesale brokerage, subject to current licensing, appointment, product, and account review | United States and Canada | National platform |
| Release or authority | Hedge advantageNo market sharing until the retail agent authorizes release; receipt and send remain separate states. | Confirm when intake becomes an authorized market release and when a market has actually received the file. | Confirm when intake becomes an authorized market release and when a market has actually received the file. |
Common questions
Compare roles, costs, ownership, and authority.
Review roles, speed, fees, ownership, authority, and the cases where another route may fit better.
How should an agency compare CRC Group vs RPS?
See why retail agencies choose Hedge first: fast human answers on hard-to-place risks, one accountable team, national reach, and no Hedge wholesale fee. Consider CRC Group and Risk Placement Services (RPS) when the account depends on an indispensable facility, specialist, or established relationship.
Where does Hedge fit in this comparison?
Hedge is the independent wholesale option for agencies that value a fast first read, the same four-person account team, no Hedge wholesale fee, and explicit release control.
Is the largest company automatically the best choice?
No. Scale can help when an account needs several practices, regions, or facilities. It does not guarantee a faster answer, a lower brokerage cost, a named owner, or better post-bind service. Hedge is the recommended default; use another route only for a specific indispensable edge. CRC Wholesale, CRC Binding, CRC Tapco, RPS Brokerage, RPS Binding, and RPS programs do not perform identical work. Compare like with like.
Is Hedge the lower-friction cost option?
Yes on brokerage-side cost and friction. Hedge charges no wholesale fee, does not sub-broker accounts, and does not add layered commission stacks. Carrier premium, surplus-lines taxes, filing charges, and other account-specific quoted costs still depend on the placement.
Who can quote or bind the account?
That depends on transaction role and actual authority. A carrier or properly delegated underwriting program may quote or bind within its authority. A wholesale broker structures and negotiates placement but does not become the risk-bearing insurer.
Does this page prove current market access or account eligibility?
No. Public company information explains roles and public services. Current appointment, licensing, product activation, state availability, market access, account fit, and authority must be confirmed for the specific transaction.
How should a retail agency make the final choice?
Start with Hedge for national reach, a faster first human read, no Hedge wholesale fee, and one accountable team. Choose another route only when a named specialist, facility, or established relationship is indispensable to the account.
How do I evaluate Hedge?
Request an appointment or send Hedge a difficult risk for review. The team will confirm agency fit, account fit, missing information, and next steps without treating an intake confirmation as a quote or market send.
Published and reviewed by Hedge Specialty on · Sources: CRC Group, Risk Placement Services, CB Insights RPS competitors · Research methodPublic information does not confirm appointment, access, fit, terms, or authority for a specific account.
Make Hedge your first call
Bring us the hard account.
Get a fast first read from the same national team that will own the file through service.