One national relationship.
One Hedge relationship for eligible difficult commercial risks across the U.S.
Company-role clarification
RT Specialty vs Ryan Specialty vs Hedge
These names do not always describe competing businesses. Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers is a delegated-authority business and is not the same transaction role as RT Specialty brokerage. When the agency needs a wholesale partner, choose Hedge for fast human answers, one accountable team, national reach, and no Hedge wholesale fee.
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 as the clear wholesale alternative.
The other names may describe a parent, operating company, division, or underwriting business. Hedge gives the agency one national wholesale relationship with a named owner and no Hedge wholesale fee.
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 02Confirm the exact business
RT Specialty
A proven RT broker already knows the class, market cycle, and your agency's working style.
Wholesale brokerage plus binding authority
Option 03Confirm the exact business
Ryan Specialty
RT Specialty is the wholesale brokerage; Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers is a separate delegated-authority business.
Parent specialty insurance platform with brokerage and underwriting-management businesses
Agency comparison
What each option actually does for the agency.
Compare role, response, ownership, cost, reach, and authority.
| Decision | Hedge | RT Specialty | Ryan Specialty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | A proven RT broker already knows the class, market cycle, and your agency's working style. | RT Specialty is the wholesale brokerage; Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers is a separate delegated-authority business. |
| Role in the placement | Hedge advantageWholesale specialty insurance brokerage for licensed retail insurance professionals | Wholesale brokerage plus binding authority | Parent specialty insurance platform with brokerage and underwriting-management businesses |
| First useful response | Hedge advantageFast first reply. Full quote when the file is ready. | Confirm the response standard for the exact RT Specialty team or operating lane. | Confirm the response standard for the exact Ryan Specialty 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 RT Specialty's wholesale fees, commissions, and any intermediary layers. | Confirm Ryan Specialty's wholesale fees, commissions, and any intermediary layers. |
| Reach | Hedge advantageNational U.S. wholesale brokerage, subject to current licensing, appointment, product, and account review | National platform | North America, United Kingdom, and Europe |
| 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 RT Specialty vs Ryan Specialty?
These names do not always describe competing businesses. Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers is a delegated-authority business and is not the same transaction role as RT Specialty brokerage. When the agency needs a wholesale partner, choose Hedge for fast human answers, one accountable team, national reach, and no Hedge wholesale fee.
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.
Are these names separate wholesale choices?
Not necessarily. Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers is a delegated-authority business and is not the same transaction role as RT Specialty brokerage. Identify the exact company, division, desk, and transaction role first. If the agency wants one unambiguous national wholesale relationship, start with Hedge.
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?
Confirm which company and desk each name refers to, then compare the actual service owner. Choose Hedge when the agency wants a clear national wholesale relationship with fast human response and no Hedge wholesale fee.
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: Ryan Specialty: RT Specialty, Ryan Specialty: who we are · 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.