Posted on 10/25/2009
I am currently a captive agent and planning to "break away" and take the independent road and going this direction I am looking at several independent agency alliances in the southeast such as Agent Secure, Smart Choice and SIAA.In the search I really don't see a big difference between them other than start up fees and maybe a few small contract differences and was wondering if anyone could offer any feedback on an alliance that they are currently members of and whether or not they would recommend them? Any advise would be helpful. Thanks
Posted on 10/26/2009
Check out Superior Access Insurance at
www.sais.com.
Posted on 10/27/2009
You really should check out ISU Agency Network. Flat fee, 100% commission and 75%profit-sharing.
www.isunetwork.com, 877-500-4478. Much less binding agreement.
Posted on 10/27/2009
My name is Daniel Briseno and I'm with MarketScout's High Net Worth Personal Lines Division. We have several programs for independent insurance agents with no sign up fees or volume commitments. We have exclusive underwriting facilities for Workers Compensation, Energy, Small Commercial and High Net Worth Personal Lines at
www.marketscout.com.
My e-mail address is dbriseno@marketscout.com. Send me an e-mail and I'll send you some information about our programs.
Posted on 10/30/2009
We can help you with garage insurance for any client that sell and/or services something with wheels on it. No sign up fees, no minimum requirements.
Automotive Risk Management & Insurance Services, Inc.
800-224-6363
http://www.armonline.com
arm@armonline.com
Posted on 11/03/2009
I can understand leaving the captive side of insurance can be a difficult decision. I deal with agents that have left the captive side and have gone independent with Iroquois Group. They have looked at all the others and like the membership we have to offer. Take a look at our website
www.iroquoisgroup.com. I am sure we can partner with you and help you make your independent agency a profitable one. Good Luck...looking forward to seeing within the Group!
Tina Baire
Regional Manager
Iroquois of California
Posted on 11/12/2009
I don't know if you are in Calfiornia or not but we have one of the largest cluster agencies in California that has an underwriting department that the member use to place business. If you are in Calfiornia give Jack Harbert a call and he can tell you all about it at 559-256-2556 or you can look at our web site at
www.unitedvalley.com
Sue Ariza
Posted on 11/12/2009
I am currently a captive agent and planning to "break away" and take the independent road and going this direction I am looking at several independent agency alliances in the southeast such as Agent Secure, Smart Choice and SIAA.In the search I really don't see a big difference between them other than start up fees and maybe a few small contract differences and was wondering if anyone could offer any feedback on an alliance that they are currently members of and whether or not they would recommend them? Any advise would be helpful. Thanks
Have you looked at the Iroquois Group. Direct Access, little or no fees. No fee to join. Wide market availability. Superior knowledge and consultation. We have helped 100's of former captive agents go independant.
Gary Pash
Regional Manager
Iroquois of Calif.
www.iroquoisgroup.com
Posted on 11/17/2009
I have the same question but in Texas. Any advice on going from captive to independent would be greatly appreciated.
Posted on 11/19/2009
Along with obtaining markets for both commercial and personal lines an agency should also have financing options available for their insureds.
Express Premium Finance has designed a premium finance program tailored to fit your needs. Competition and inefficiencies affect your production and profitability. We understand these challenges and are proud to offer you a premium finance program that delivers:
Personalized customer service and quick turnaround
Creative structuring-to help you write more business
competitive rates
Online software accessible anywhere in the world 24/7
A little information about myself is that I have been in the insurance industry since 1981. I am a licensed insurance agent and I have worked with insurance agencies both commercial and personal lines and I have also worked for US Risk as a Senior Underwriter Assistant for 5 years.
Mary Coovert Holeman
Senior Regional Vice President
Express Premium Finance Co
mary@expresspremium.com
Phone: 832-766-7977
Golfer-I am here in texas and can help you get in contact with marketing reps
Mary Holeman
Posted on 11/30/2009
My name is Ken Bull and I am with The Iroquois Group. You may want to check out our website.
www.iroquoisgroup.com. Please call me at 908-698-7355 to discuss.
Thank you.
Posted on 12/01/2009
freyle,
You don't say who you are captive to, but since you are in the southeast I assume that it would not be Farmers. I broke away from Farmers in Oregon in 1989. We were not truly "captive" but "encumbered" so I had a book of business that was 'outside' of Farmers to build on. I had a several of GA's and a mix of standard and non standard insurers I was appointed with. My first step was to obtain a couple of Preferred regional carrier appointments and then a couple of national Carriers. My first national Carrier was Maryland Casualty who subsequenlty withdrew from west of the Rockies. I'm still working with the two regional carriers that I initially appointed with.
Posted on 12/03/2009
where are you and what do you write?
frank 502-893-2569 Kentucky
Posted on 12/23/2009
I was a captive agent and left to go independent in August. I ended up joining SIAA. I would highly recommend them and I am not someone trying to sell you on something. i am just another insurance guy in your shoes, which is what I think you were asking for in the first place.
They have been outstanding and have been able to get me appointed with all of the compnanies I was seeking plus a few others. I would warn you however, that it takes a much longer time to get all of your contracts in place and be able to write business than I expected. I signed on the dotted line with SIAA in November and I am still waiting on one more carrier to come through. Then it will take some time before I start seeing my first checks.
What I did was sign up with a GA untill I was able to get all of my direct contracts through SIAA. I used Superior Access and would not recommend them. I have just switched to Agent Secure to get access to one or two companies that I wanted and was not able to get through SIAA. Hopefully they will be better. These online GA's only take a few days to get you up and running.
I would highly recommend SIAA, but you will need to find something to keep you in business untill all of your contracts come in. I am in Texas and can put you in touch with Texas Agency Alliance. They are one of the local chapters of SIAA in Texas. They are responcible for everything west of DFW.
Send me a private message if you would like contact info.
Good Luck
