Blog + Magazine

If you’re a captive who is experiencing challenges but also feeling lost about how to transition into the independent world – an independent agency network can help guide you.

Disruption is changing the landscape for thousands of independent and captive agents. The M&A disruption and new distribution models alter agency working environments, increase competition in many markets, impact compensation, job satisfaction, geographic opportunity and growth. While unplanned change can be for the better, for many agents, being in control of the change is preferred.

As much as he knew about insurance, Gulraiz lacked a sales track record and the essentials required for carrier appointments. He was denied at his first carrier appointment interview but soon after joined Smart Choice's Smart Start program and wrote $300,000 in premiums in just six months.

Spiking M&A activity in 2021 and steep competition for carrier appointments led a second-generation independent agent to consider next steps for his agency – to acquire or be acquired – and if he stayed in the business, how best to expand and become more profitable.

Feeling restricted by the captive offering, here's the story of just one insurance agent who chose the mission to put people first, over his loyalty to his brand — and left a captive career to start his own successful agency.

Cyberattacks can result in a significant loss of time and money— not to mention lasting emotional effects. Your clients need to be aware that this can happen to them and could have major impacts. Here are some tips and solutions to help offer them peace of mind.

The Smart Choice Life program is where your search ends! Choco Harwell, Smart Choice’s life insurance expert, talks about the Smart Choice Life program and why it’s the best opportunity independent insurance agents have to grow their book of business through it.

No one could have anticipated the challenges and changes brought by the last two years. The impacts of COVID-19 created monumental shifts in how we work, use technology, communicate and interact. As we head into 2022, here are some of the things we learned about what top agents and agencies are doing to blaze their path forward into the future.

Cyber-Security:

More Important Now Than Ever!

Download the PDF →

Tell the truth right from the very first contact with the prospect, and you will have someone who will listen and respect you for it.

Are you thinking of starting your own insurance agency and can’t decide whether to go the captive or independent route? We’ve got you covered!

Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing frequency and severity of ransomware attacks have put pressure on the U.S. cyber liability market, creating an imbalance between coverage supply and demand. Insurance agents need to keep up with the constantly changing nature of technology, and cyber policies are becoming more complicated.