Former Division I baseball player Brett Allen knows the value of the right team. With Smart Choice behind him, Brett launched Brett Allen Insurance during the hard market and COVID-19—using market access, Smart Start support, and mentorship to build a profitable agency from the ground up.
Key Takeaways
- Brett Allen used the discipline and teamwork mindset from his Division I baseball career to confidently launch his own independent agency.
- Smart Choice provided the market access, support, and mentorship he needed to succeed during the hard market and COVID-19.
- With flexible placement options and hands-on guidance, Brett was able to write business early and build momentum quickly.
- Today, Brett continues to grow a profitable book of business by pairing personal drive with Smart Choice access, support, and leverage.
Agency Overview
| 🏢 Agency Name Brett Allen Insurance |
📍 Location Virginia |
⏳ Years in Business 1–3 years |
| 📈 Agency Type New / Growth-Focused |
🧾 Lines of Business Personal & Commercial |
🤝 Smart Choice Services Used Access · Support · Leverage |
Batting a Thousand with an All-Star Team
Brett Allen knows the value of a team that shows up to win. Before he entered the world of insurance, he was a Division I baseball player. Today, he’s the owner of a successful agency—and a member of the Smart Choice network.
“I never really felt like I was on my own.” — Brett Allen
When Life Throws You a Curveball
Brett played baseball for the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He had a scholarship and a bright future—until a back injury changed everything. At 19, he underwent back surgery and was out of the game for a while. He later staged a comeback, transferring to Virginia Commonwealth University to continue playing.
Before long, Brett realized his future lay elsewhere. Ready to focus on a new path, he began exploring potential careers and found himself drawn to insurance.
To gain experience, Brett started working at his dad’s State Farm agency. After only a few months, he knew he wanted to become an agency owner. Around that same time, the office hit record production numbers—giving Brett the confidence to take the next step.
Crafting a Winning Game Plan
Brett was eager to open his own agency, but he needed a strategy. He did online research and reached out to other independent agencies for advice. The message was consistent: to succeed as an independent agent, he needed to join an aggregator or network.
He searched “insurance aggregator Virginia” on Google. That’s when he found Smart Choice and connected with Roger Gill, one of the state directors who helps Smart Choice partners grow their agencies.
Brett didn’t join immediately. His mother, a former attorney, insisted on reviewing the contract carefully. Brett also compared other networks to make sure he was choosing the right long-term partner.
Stepping Up to the Plate
After careful research and a thorough contract review, Brett knew Smart Choice was the best fit—especially for long-term earnings and flexibility.
“I was pretty much sold on Smart Choice being the best option—especially for making money long term.” — Brett Allen
Why Smart Choice Was the Right Fit
Brett liked that Smart Choice offered expansive carrier access without fees. He also valued the flexibility to plan for succession down the road. Even early in his journey, he didn’t want to sign an agreement that could make it difficult to sell his agency later or transfer it to a family member.
Most importantly, Brett wanted to build a profitable book of business—and Smart Choice’s commission split approach stood out. Unlike many networks, Smart Choice places a cap on its commission split, so once agents reach a certain level, they keep 100% of their commissions.
Brett was comfortable with a slightly higher split early on because he was thinking long-term—and he plans to reach that cap.
Swinging for the Fences
Against all odds, Brett opened his agency in the middle of the hard market and the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time when many carriers weren’t offering appointments, Brett was still able to write business through Smart Choice.
He learned how to use the Smart Start program effectively and focused on building connections with insurance professionals. After about eight months, Smart Choice helped him explore additional carrier opportunities through direct appointments.
From there, momentum followed. Brett says his business grew exponentially—reaching around $850,000 in premium in the agency.
Brett Allen’s progression from agency launch to Agent of the Year, supported by Smart Choice programs and mentorship.
Agent of the Year
In 2025, Brett received the Smart Choice Virginia Agent of the Year award after writing over $1 million in premium through Smart Choice that year. He is also the youngest Smart Choice agent in Virginia.
Early on, Brett was already writing an impressive $50,000–$60,000 per month through the Smart Start program—proof that consistent execution and the right support system can accelerate growth.
Mentorship That Makes Growth Easier
Brett credits much of his success to mentorship and guidance from Smart Choice. He’s intentional about building trust in person, establishing a strong reputation, and staying coachable—especially in the early days.
He attributes a lot of his progress to the support he received from Daniel and Roger at Smart Choice. When Brett needed guidance, he called Roger and asked how to get business on the books—and Roger already had an entire development plan ready.
Brett’s advice for other new agents is simple: listen to your trusted advisors. With the right coaching and the right team, you’re going to be all right.
How Can Smart Choice Help You?
Partner with Smart Choice and get the access, support, and flexibility you need to grow with confidence.