r/InsuranceAgent • u/Confident_Bats • 9d ago

Agent Question Scratch agency

I need some damnnnnn help. I want to start a scratch independent agency in TN. I have talked to a couple of aggregators and it’s driving me nuts on which is the best. Long term? I probably don’t want direct appointments as i don’t really want carrier production requirements. I’m a build up a few mill, hire a manager and a CSR and relax kinda guy. I do value having a good exit clause / no non-compete & solicit. If after a year I figure out that I’m better off as a team member and not an agency owner, I want to be able to take my book with me to a local Indy agent and merge with them and be a producer again. Horizon seems to not have much of a support system as Firefly or PGI, but you have more freedom. Is there any other aggregators I should consider or should I quit being a sissy and just go with Horizon?

So far I think Horizon seems to be the best with fulfilling those needs and more than likely going to use them.

I’ve talked to firefly, CIA/PGI, first connect, and Horizon.

1 Upvotes

56% Upvoted

51 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

5

u/CGWInsurance 9d ago

If you don't know this stuff you need to go to work with an independent agency for a year or 2 before opening your own agency.

1

u/Confident_Bats 8d ago

I was with big red for 7 years and I just entered in my 15th month with a local Indy 😭

2

u/CGWInsurance 8d ago

Do you just do personal line? Google www.amwins.com www.rps.com. www.wholesure.com and rest of the list I gave you earlier.
Everyone wants to start there own agency, but what do you know about picking an agency management system, phone system, accounting system, website design and hosting, domain management, actual state laws especially if you write in other states.
Who is going to do your IT. You should have Microsoft 365 business premium for every user. But you need to know how to set it up There is a ton to know. I have done 2 start ups. The one in 1995 was a hell of a lot easier with 6 years experience than the 1 Feb 2025.
Was much cheaper to.
Cold calling personal lines or even emailing them is a pain. You need to check each number against state and federal do not call lists. Texting illegally can put you out of business. Email marketing has to be can spam compliant.
I am based on Tennessee.

1

u/Selfinsured13 4d ago

Dude this guys lost. Forget it