A company rooted in purpose
Insurance might not be the first thing you think of when watching a young athlete score the winning goal at a soccer game or seeing campers roast marshmallows around a campfire. But behind every game-winning goal or campfire story is a network of people working to ensure the organizations that make these moments possible are protected.
For over four decades, Health Special Risk, Inc. (HSR) has been that steady presence for youth sports leagues, summer camps, K-12 schools and church groups, offering specialized insurance where standard policies fall short. The Plano, Texas-based company has earned its reputation as a leader in accident and health insurance by understanding the unique needs of organizations that bring people together. For HSR, the work has always been about creating a sense of calm in uncertain moments.
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Today, as the company prepares to celebrate 46 years in business, they’re entering 2025 with a fresh look and an even sharper focus on their mission. HSR recently unveiled a new logo, a streamlined website and a refined set of core values — changes that, while visible on the surface, reflect deeper work behind the scenes.
“They say success is much like an iceberg,” says Brandon Schall, president of HSR. “People only see the 10% that’s above the surface. This rebrand is that 10%. The other 90% is the extra hours, the long meetings and time spent challenging our long-held beliefs that have brought us here. It’s not just about a new logo or website, it’s about progress.”
A tradition of specialized solutions
At HSR, the work has always been about more than insurance policies. While it’s technical, it’s also deeply human. It’s the company’s ability to connect with the people they serve that sets them apart. In the end, protecting organizations means understanding not just their risks but the unique roles they play in their communities. This is where HSR shines the brightest.
From its earliest days, the company has built its reputation on meeting the needs of organizations often overlooked by traditional insurance programs. HSR understands that a high school sports team doesn’t have the same coverage requirements as a church group, just as a summer camp’s risks are entirely different from a day care. The insurer’s ability to recognize and address these distinctions has long been a source of pride — and a hallmark of their approach.
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That focus on specialized solutions can be traced back to their beginnings. When HSR was founded in 1979, they identified gaps in traditional coverage that left many organizations unprotected. They responded with accident and health policies designed to address these gaps, providing much-needed coverage for sudden injuries and illnesses during events. For sports leagues, fairs and camps, where unexpected accidents can quickly derail operations, HSR’s tailored solutions have become an invaluable safeguard.
But HSR’s ability to stay ahead of changing client needs is no accident. It is the result of honest, ongoing conversations about what they do best and how they could do it even better. “We spent months asking hard questions,” Schall explains. “What makes us unique? What distinct value do we bring to the marketplace? How do we make it easier for our agents, clients, policyholders, and claimants to work with us?”
These conversations led to a clearer vision, a sharper focus and ultimately, a brand refresh that wholeheartedly supports their mission to serve.
A commitment to progress
Last year, before embarking on the rebrand, HSR paused to reflect on its foundation and its future during a company-wide summit. The goal was to align their team around shared values and create a clear sense of purpose for the next phase of the company’s journey. What emerged was a renewed commitment to the core values that have guided them for years but now serve as a touchstone for their vision moving forward.
Expanding on their renewed vision, Schall explains that trust is at the center of everything they do. “The word we kept coming back to when we asked ourselves why people trust us was peace,” he says. “Peace of mind for agents, policyholders, claimants and carriers is at the heart of what we do. That’s why our core values — Progress, Empathy, Accountability, Collaboration and Excellence — are all tied to this idea of delivering peace.”
Ultimately, peace is not just a result of the work they do but a guiding principle for how they do it.
Schall compares this effort to build a shared strategy with a common playbook. “If you’re on a football field and your wide receiver runs a different route than your quarterback expects, you’re not going to score. For us, it was about making sure everyone was on the same page, so we’re always working toward the same goals.”
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Now, it’s clear HSR’s values are more than words. They are woven into everything the company does, from guiding a client through the claims process with empathy to crafting solutions that address specific risks in a collaborative environment. It’s this steady focus that has kept them at the forefront of the accident and health insurance industry for decades.
A legacy reimagined
The new logo and website are not about simply turning a new page; they’re about adding depth to the story HSR has been telling for decades. The rebrand, Schall explains, was not about reinventing the company, but about taking what they already do well and amplifying it. The updated look nods to their history while also pointing toward the future, representing a company that’s proud of where it’s been and confident about where it’s headed.
The updates may seem subtle at first glance, but their impact is far-reaching. The modernized logo and streamlined website send a clear message: HSR is both a trusted resource and a forward-thinking innovator. And for their clients, this refresh is a quiet reassurance that while the branding may have changed, the mission remains the same — to serve as a reliable and empathetic presence when it’s needed most.
A shared vision for the future
As they enter their 46th year, HSR is focused on building a future as bright as its past. They’re not content to rest on their laurels — progress, after all, is one of their core values. Whether that means expanding their offerings, streamlining processes or finding new ways to support their clients and insurance carrier partners, the team at HSR is ready for the challenges and the opportunities ahead.
“Teams aligned behind a common goal and shared purpose can accomplish great things,” Schall says. “And we’re just getting started.”
To learn more about Health Special Risk, Inc. and their new look, visit hsri.com.