Joining an insurance cluster group is a great way to gain access to appointments with carriers that would be off-limits if you were negotiating on your own. Cluster groups give independent agents power in numbers — a group of agents has more buying power than a single agent alone, leading to more profits.

While many agents join networks like ours simply for help accessing appointments, many agents approach our network seeking ways to diversify their business. In this particular insurance climate, having a diverse range of options to satisfy customers will be crucial to both retention and growth.

Kyle McMackin is the owner of Main Street Insurance. The full-service agency offers personal insurance, commercial insurance and Medicare plans, as well as retirement planning services. The agency also  provides coverage for many high-risk accounts that  standard carriers are reluctant to sign. Network support from Smart Choice has helped Kyle navigate this challenging market.

Smart Choice® announces the acquisition of Carriage Hill Insurance and key leadership appointments for Smart Choice Partners (SCP). SCP identifies strategic agency acquisition opportunities that are complementary to Smart Choice’s existing network of over 9,500 independent agencies.

Can you think of a small business that doesn’t use email? What about a small business that doesn’t use the internet? While cybercrime has traditionally been considered more of a concern for larger organizations, that trend has shifted quickly.

Although we’ve been seeing indications of a hardening market for some time now, the state of the insurance industry shows no signs of shifting directions. Independent insurance agents will be feeling the squeeze when it comes to being able to provide coverage for clients. Here's how you can succeed despite the hard market.

Picking the right technology can be a daunting task for any independent agency. Whether you’re a one-person band or orchestrating offices across multiple states, your agency’s needs are unique—and you need solutions that fit your business.

Two years removed from the start of the pandemic and the global economy continues to face a wealth of uncertainty. Rising interest rates and continued inflationary pressure threaten nearly every sector. In the insurance business, challenges abound as agents navigate an ongoing hard market and shrinking capacity.

As an independent agent, you have the combined superpowers of ease, choice and advice. While your daily to-do list can make your super-powers feel mundane, a coverage consultation with you could be the most important conversation of someone’s life!

In 2013 Insurance Journal surveyed a number of independent insurance agents about their formal business plans. Just 15 percent of respondents said they had a formal plan for the growth of their agency.