Aon, one of the world’s largest insurance brokerage firms, announced on Monday that it will acquire USI Insurance Services in a transaction valued at $17 billion. The deal, which involves purchasing USI from private equity firm KKR, ranks among the largest recent acquisitions in the insurance sector.

This acquisition reflects a broader trend of consolidation within the highly fragmented insurance brokerage industry, where companies are increasingly willing to make significant investments to strengthen their market positions and competitive capabilities.

The transaction specifically aims to enhance Aon’s footprint in the U.S. middle-market insurance segment, which serves midsize businesses. This segment is estimated to represent more than $40 billion in premiums and accounts for over one-third of the commercial property and casualty insurance market in the United States.

Despite the announcement, Aon’s shares declined approximately 6 percent during early trading following the news, though they remain near levels seen prior to the deal’s disclosure.