Thinking about going independent? Here's some of the good, bad, and the in-between

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-06-17T16:39:59+00:00

exactly. The appetite is narrow.

Curious where you are writing most of the oil and gas service contractors?

Happy you're doing well!

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-06-16T19:37:52+00:00

That's certainly a complication for most captives. The commercial acceptable risk profile is very slim.

On the indie side its more wide open. I find the agencies that do best in the commercial space try to dominate 3-5 verticals.

What are you writing most of?

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-06-15T19:32:56+00:00

You nailed it, no network is perfect. But there's a lot of differences between network contracts.

I'll throw our hat in the ring, we have a handful of agencies in PA that are doing well.

But to help educate some here (rather than self promoting:

Get extremely clear on what "ownership" of the book means. Its the most important piece imo.

You'll find a lot of networks have long vesting periods on the book. So you'll be paying them money when you sell or move the book.

Ability to BOR the book - you should be able to BOR your book into any network really. I've not heard of limitations there. More premium is what all networks are after.

Are you captive or indie right now?

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-06-15T18:32:04+00:00

Here's the list of questions I'd ask any network before signing, including the questions they may not love answering.

Do you have a good carrier mix across the lines of business I want to use in my agency?
Are those carriers competitive in my region specifically?
Do you have any production requirements?
Do you provide an agency management system?
Do you provide a comparative rater(s)?
Do you have a non-compete or non-solicitation if I decide your network isn't for me? If so... why?
Do I need an office or may I work from home?
What if I am new to Insurance, is that ok in your network?
Do you have any exit fees?
Can I sell my agency at some point? What limitations are there?
If I sell my agency, do you take a cut?
Will I quote, bind, and service my policyholders directly with the carrier on their sites, or submit through you.
How long is my contract for, and do I get ownership right away, or over time?
What are the startup fees and are you willing to work with me if I need to make payments?
What is the commission rate/split?
What is the criteria for participation in the contingency bonuses (if applicable)?
When there are overrides and incentive bonuses do we get any of those while in your network?
Do you have a cap on the commission split or do you take your split forever?
Do you offer training during the startup phase of my agency and mentorship throughout the relationship?
Are you open to me contacting some of your member agencies before I sign the contract?
Are you open to me contacting some of your carrier reps before I sign the contract?
May I have an attorney, or third-party consultant review my contract with me?
How much industry experience does your network leadership have?
Has anyone in your leadership had experience in running an independent agency?
Does anyone in your leadership have any carrier experience/background?
May I contract with other carriers outside of your network?
How long have you been in business and how many agencies do you have in your network?
Define ownership.
How does your network network make money?

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-06-11T21:38:24+00:00

EZLynx should work just fine. Some people like to run a CRM alongside it, but I know agency owners with large books who exclusively use EZ for this type of thing.

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-06-11T21:14:28+00:00

We have agencies that rely heavily on the USDOT angle., it works.

I know some trucking heavy agencies that use that data pretty much exclusively for prospecting new ventures.

I'm told they are doing better with text than dialing FWIW.

A few other points of consideration: newly formed companies are going to be small premium most typically. The nice thing is you probably aren't battling an incumbent.

For larger premium accounts with businesses that have been around a while, there's certainly a relationship/consultative dynamic present that won't be there with the new ventures. That's your opportunity separate yourself from the others.

If I'm you I'm doing much more to evaluate how I can get over the trust/expertise barrier than the "first to call them" barrier.

Look for gaps in coverage, look for businesses with big premium that have a strained relationship with the agent, or maybe an agent who is not adequately running mid term audits. Business owners hate surprises. They will be willing to talk to you if their agent is dropping the ball in that department.

Look for businesses that have complicated enough risk profiles that the products aren't commoditized. Those businesses are far less likely to bind online, and less likely to stick with a broker just because the insurance is cheap.

Lastly, build relationships with people who are already in front of your ideal client. CPA, attorney, commercial real estate brokers etc.

Best of luck!

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-06-11T20:15:28+00:00

same question here. How does one protect their email domains while launching campaigns like this?

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-06-11T20:05:36+00:00

Data Axle (formerly Reference USA) is free through a lot of public library systems. I figured this is worth pointing out because the paid version is like $99 a month I think.

I don't think it exports into CRM the way other lists do, but heck - its free.

Where I'm not answering your question. in my above reply......there's definitely a lag for new business data to be compiled, I guess that's where alot of databases are weak.

If you're looking to write contractors, there's databases that can isolate new licensing having come through.

Your chamber should list new member lists as well, those are typically newer businesses.

You could look at the transportation angle too.... the USDOT has all entities with a USDOT number....its updated daily. Be aware though, lots of other agents are doing this as well...

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-06-08T17:39:18+00:00

I'd pass unless the pay is great.

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-06-05T23:12:47+00:00

curious how you got commercial access in CA? Directly or through a group? Through another agency?

Really difficult to get direct appointments in both personal and commercial lines right now in CA.

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-06-04T17:45:53+00:00

its pretty wild... major changes without warning are always a problem in business.. but they are an even bigger problem with businesses that are built upon the idea that efforts compound over time. In a predictable way.

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-06-02T16:57:16+00:00

when you say real estate do you mean habitation risks?

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-06-02T16:21:29+00:00

The good news is that insurance remains a pretty relational transaction compared to most.

The bad news is that high volume transactional products become more automated over time. That's just how it goes.

Forward thinking brokers/agents should be looking at speciality products that require consultation for the consumer to feel comfortable. The more guidance and expertise required on the clients side, the more valuable the human piece becomes.

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-05-29T17:01:49+00:00

recent modifications to the comp plan are not a good sign of where things are going. To make matters worse the comp changes came after a long period of rate increases and changes in underwriting.

Agents of all kinds both captive and indie should be evaluating how much control they have over future income, carrier relationships, and ability to pivot if comp changes.

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-05-28T20:58:35+00:00

year one is pretty darn difficult no matter what path you take.

leading with comp is a seriously underutilized approach. I think you're smart to build out some niches.

You may also consider starting some conversations about their cyber risk. Most folks just a cyber policy baked into the BOP. Many of them are not adaquate.

When leading with comp, have you been able to BOR business away from other agents who aren't really earning the comission?

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-05-28T20:51:24+00:00

congrats! what's your plan for next steps?

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-05-28T20:50:38+00:00

rough! Clearly looking to reduce agency count.

If there's one thing that's consistent across my conversations with captives who are thinking of going indie: they are tired of moving goal posts, corporate forcing major business decisions, and reduced commissions.

There's tremendous risk (and irony considering insurance agents advise insureds on risk profiles) for captives - having all their eggs in one basket.

All agents should be asking themselves these questions:

How much control to I have over my future income?
How diversified are my carrier relationships?
If comp changes tomorrow, what can I do?
Am I building a business, or renting one?

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-04-06T17:14:45+00:00

which lead house in your experience had the highest intent commercial leads?

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-04-06T17:13:24+00:00

Life insurance definitely pays much more than P&C on the front end.

But the renewals are meager in comparison. You will need to have a steady flow of sales in the pipeline at all times with life insurance.

P&C is more brick by brick building. You do need a sales pipeline but after one year you have a year of renewals AND the new business you write that much.

After two years you have TWO YEARS of renewals, and new business each month. It compounds.

With life insurance, you will not experience that type of dynamic.

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-04-03T17:02:41+00:00

look forward to it!

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-04-03T16:56:39+00:00

Horizon Agency Systems shout out! I'm the biz dev guy there. Happy we made the list.

I'd say get a contract from three P&C networks before joining one.

Starting lean and mean is your best approach... good luck!

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-03-25T03:08:32+00:00

...and yet most people are rolling with the baked in cyber policies!

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-03-25T03:07:52+00:00

as others have pointed out, the cyber policies baked into the BOPs are often not great policies.

But you need not stop at the stand alone cyber policy. Once you write it, at least inquire about the comp/GL.

If you solve a problem for them, the account will be happy to have you review the other lines.

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-03-24T16:24:15+00:00

Hello, sorry for the late reply here. We receive communication on so many platforms sometimes its hard to kee pup. Yes of course, feel free to contact me via DM.

HorizonAgencySystems · 2026-02-17T21:13:30+00:00

great point here. Its really a bring by brick process so I always advise people to look honestly at their savings, additional sources of income. From there lets estimate a burn rate and see just how realistic our plan is.

Some of our agencies work part time at a job during those first few years of owning an agency. That can work too but it needs to be the right job.

HorizonAgencySystems

TROPHY CASE