Blog

To start an insurance company as an agency, choose the right business model, get licensed and secure carrier access first.

Learn how to place Excess & Surplus (E&S) insurance risks effectively, find the right markets, and secure coverage for hard-to-insure clients.

Discover how successful women are building independent insurance agencies on their own terms with Smart Choice.

Independent insurance agencies can prepare for a softening market in 2026 by focusing on agility, specialization, technology, and carrier partnerships.

An overview of the 2026 U.S. Casualty Market and what agents should expect, based on insights from RPS’s latest market outlook.

As the insurance market softens, independent agencies face new competition. Learn six steps agencies can take now to stay competitive and grow.

How one P&C agency successfully integrated life insurance to deepen client relationships, increase retention, and drive long-term growth.

Get licensed, choose your insurance lines, pass the exam, and start selling. Learn the steps to become a successful insurance agent.

Building a successful insurance agency requires patience, consistent effort, and long-term vision—like tending an orchard—where cultivating relationships, honing expertise, leveraging technology, and committing to ongoing learning lay the foundation for lasting growth and sustainable success.

As 2026 approaches, the insurance market is evolving—property lines are stabilizing while casualty and auto remain challenging. With insight and guidance from ISC, agents can turn these market shifts into new opportunities.

Picking an insurance network without checking its industry creds is like choosing a restaurant by its menu font—look for the awards, not just the pitch.

When you partner with Smart Choice, you’ll have direct support from state directors and territory managers who leverage their experience to help you succeed.