David Wilson, Vice President, Sales and Distribution
We did it! Over $300 Million in Express Markets Premium by Year End 2020!
In the fall of 2017, I joined the Smart Choice organization and was charged with developing a strategy to expand the Express Markets platform. It has been an exciting journey that has really transformed the overall agent offering. Smart Choice expanded our E&S, Specialty & Niche markets from 15 to 35 in just a few years. Adding expanded access for coastal markets, General Liability, Non-standard Auto, Commercial Auto, Specialty Dwelling Programs and additional distribution points with our core wholesale partners has elevated the program to best in class.
The Smart Choice marketing department also built and launched www.expressmarkets.com, an excellent resource for all agents to research perils and request appointments for Express Market partners. This site also has been added to the Agency Business Center and provides additional information relative to which markets write specific risks. Through the growth of becoming a key vertical for Smart Choice agents, we remained true to our core principles in the program - 100 percent commission to the agency, direct appointment, and no fees for any of our market partners. We have seen growth in agency revenue and client solutions as the program expanded, and I am proud to say, Express Markets has become roughly 30 percent of the overall premium that our agents produce through carrier partners!
From the Express Markets team, we want to say THANK YOU to all of our agents countrywide. Also, thank you to our market partners and state teams. Your engagement and willingness to expand your insurance base has made Express Markets a major success. Next stop… $500 Million!
The Independent Insurance Agent's Guide to Excess, Surplus and Specialty Markets
Over the last several years, the market has seen a dramatic uptick in Excess, Surplus and Specialty lines. As the standard market continues to adjust, the specialty markets will almost certainly continue to grow at a fast pace. This trend can be a highly opportunistic time for Smart Choice agency partners who have access to our Express Markets search tool in the Agency Business Center. See how this indicates a great opportunity for independent agencies in the 2021 Issue 2 of Smart Choice Magazine.