Viorel Vasile, Founder of Safety Broker: Building a market leader in insurance brokerage through trust, people and strategic vision

Viorel Vasile, founder and CEO of Safety Broker, shares insights about his entrepreneurial journey, the evolution of the insurance market, and the leadership principles behind building Romania’s largest insurance broker, now part of the global group Acrisure.

Viorel Vasile is the founder and CEO of Safety Broker – the Number 1 Broker in Romania. An entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in the insurance brokerage market, he has built, step by step, a nationwide company based on trust, people, and real consultancy. Today, Safety Broker is part of a strong international ecosystem, Acrisure, one of the largest brokerage and financial services groups in the world.

C&B: If we were to look at the narrative thread of your career, what were the key moments that defined you?

Viorel Vasile: My career can be seen as a process of continuous building. The first defining moment was the very beginning, when Safety Broker meant a very small team and a lot of hands-on work. Then came the period of maturation, when we chose to grow in a healthy way rather than spectacularly – to invest in people, culture, and processes before focusing on numbers. Another important moment was the integration into the Unilink group and later into Acrisure, which allowed us to accelerate our development while preserving the identity and values that defined us.

All these moments represented essential steps that strengthened the company’s position and raised operational standards, while also shaping me as an entrepreneur.

C&B: What has been the most difficult moment in your journey so far, and how did you overcome it?

Viorel Vasile: The most difficult moments appeared during periods of instability in the insurance market – insurer bankruptcies, frequent legislative changes, and constant pressure on pricing. We overcame them through portfolio diversification, strengthening human capital, and consistent investments in processes and management. In such contexts, I viewed every crisis as an opportunity to become better and more resilient. We made decisions quickly, but always with a long-term vision.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?

Viorel Vasile: My constant ambition has been to build a solid, serious company that inspires trust. I never necessarily set out to be “the biggest,” but rather to be the best for our clients. I believe that true performance comes when you do things the right way over the long term, and when the organization has the ability to deliver real value to clients and partners, regardless of market cycles.

C&B: What were you like at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you have transformed over time?

Viorel Vasile: At the beginning, I was directly involved in all operational levels. Over time, I learned that my role is to build the right framework and give autonomy to the right people. As a result, my role has evolved into a strategic one: defining direction, developing internal leadership, and building an organizational culture that supports performance. Today, my focus is on scaling, partnerships, and strategies to adapt to changes in the industry.

C&B: If we were to meet your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?

Viorel Vasile: They would probably say that I am consistent, results-oriented, and very attentive to people. I place great value on trust, responsibility, and the freedom to make decisions. I believe in an organizational culture where everyone knows what they have to do and why it matters.

C&B: What is the most important decision you have made that changed your trajectory?

Viorel Vasile: The most important decision was to grow the company on solid foundations, not through artificial growth. Choosing to consistently invest in people and strategic partnerships, and later integrating into the international Unilink group and then into Acrisure, fundamentally changed the trajectory of Safety Broker, providing it with stability and long-term prospects.

C&B: What types of insurance solutions do you believe are most neglected by the public, yet essential?

Viorel Vasile: Many people still buy “what is mandatory” and postpone what truly protects them. I would say the most neglected are Life & Health insurance – especially the protection component, not just benefits; Home insurance, particularly relevant optional coverages; and for companies: liability, property, and guarantee policies – products that can save cash flow in the event of a major incident. The market trend is diversification beyond auto, and interest is growing, but there is still significant room for financial education.

C&B: How does Safety Broker differentiate itself from other insurance brokers?

Viorel Vasile: The difference is made by our people and our culture. We built Safety Broker on clear values: trust, responsibility, autonomy, and respect. We have a strong national network and an approach focused on real consultancy, not just sales. We stand by our clients especially when a claim occurs, not only when the policy is signed.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you and what brings you the greatest satisfaction?

Viorel Vasile: A typical day is about decisions, people, and strategy. I am involved in development projects, digitalization, and partnerships. The greatest satisfaction comes when I see teams that function autonomously and make good decisions aligned with the company’s values.

C&B: What is the most common mistake clients make when choosing a policy?

Viorel Vasile: Choosing exclusively based on price without understanding the coverages, exclusions, and real claim scenarios. We try to prevent that through consultancy – starting from the risk, what it could truly cost you, then from the solution – what actually protects you, and only at the end from the price. At the same time, digitalization helps with speed, but it does not replace dialogue.

C&B: How was Safety Broker founded and what attracted you to the insurance industry?

Viorel Vasile: Safety started in 2005, very simply – with a small team of five people and a lot of uncertainty. I entered the insurance industry because I saw a clear need: people and companies need not just policies, but understanding and guidance. From there came the ambition to build a company that puts the client first and treats the industry as a service built on trust, not as a product to simply “tick off.”

C&B: How do you see the evolution of the insurance market in the next 3–5 years?

Viorel Vasile: I see several clear trends.

1. Consolidation – fewer players, more professionalization, and higher capital and regulatory requirements.
2. Diversification beyond auto – the share of auto will tend to decrease over time as health, life, home, and corporate lines grow.
3. Accelerated digitalization, but with an important conclusion: trust and consultancy cannot be fully replaced by algorithms, especially for complex products and claims.
4. Higher expectations from clients: speed, transparency, and a unified experience. Technology will matter enormously here – from applications to acquisition processes.

The story of Viorel Vasile is ultimately about long-term building, strategic decisions made with patience, and the power of a strong organizational culture. From a small team at the beginning of Safety Broker to becoming part of an international ecosystem such as Acrisure, his journey reflects an entrepreneurial vision grounded in consistency, trust, and responsibility.