Blog + Magazine

Learn how to get appointed with insurance companies, including licensing, applications, carrier requirements and approval timelines.

Becoming an independent insurance agent requires choosing your lines, completing licensing and securing carrier access.

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

How RIGHTSURE used Smart Choice to expand carrier access, leverage tech, and grow—without sacrificing independence.

Q&A with Phillip Wright: Insights on leadership status, agency growth, and thriving in challenging markets.

Boat dealer adds marine insurance, speeds quotes and creates a new revenue stream with support from Smart Choice.

Network achieves 8% overall growth, surpasses $2.5 billion in partner premium, and welcomes a record number of new agents

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.

Learn how a Smart Choice agent scaled to five locations and $5M+ in premium by leveraging bilingual service, referrals, and carrier access.

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

With Smart Choice on his team, former Division I baseball player Brett Allen opened his agency in the middle of the hard market and COVID-19—leveraging market access, Smart Start, and mentorship to build a profitable book of business and earn rapid early success.