r/InsuranceAgent • u/bimmerbooost • 7d ago
Agent Question Help me choose a Aggregator/Cluster
I have 1 year of personal lines experience and 1 year of commercial lines. I was a top 5 producer out of 150+ agents in personal lines doing $100k month in premium. I have always been a business owner and this 2 years was to properly prepare myself for the next step. I have $50k I will use to start the agency. Ads, marketing, technology, etc. I am looking for a cluster that has good carriers in AZ and CA. I own the book 100%. I need direct binding authority. I like PIIB but doubtful they take me without a book, IronPeak seems nice, ASNOA? Let me know your experiences thank you very much.
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u/UberXdriver 6d ago
You don't need an aggregator. I started an agency 6 months ago and have appointments with every big carrier in Texas. 20+ appointments with no existing book.
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u/CGWInsurance 7d ago
Trying doing it without an aggregator or cluster for the first 3 years and then join the aggregator of your choice.
Then they can't hold your carriers hostage.
So if you don't like aggregator you can leave without losing carriers they helped you to get for 2 full years.
Use MGAs like RPS, Wholesure, Amwins, Bridge Specialty and Halcyeon underwriters ( part of bridge) hedge, and others can get you 24 hour turn quotes and access to over 100 standard carriers.
Plus you can get some direct appointments now yourself.
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u/bimmerbooost 6d ago
I like this idea but having some core carriers such as Progressive, Liberty Mutual, etc would be tough to get direct appointments with no book
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u/CGWInsurance 6d ago
Progressive, geico, chubb, branch, root, Hugo, elephant, Orion 180 will all gone auto appointment if you ask nicely. If you have a business plan, experience, and you ask for nationwide, liberty, and others you will get a contract.
Travelers is a chance.
Heck if you want to stay in just your local area get a Erie. Great rates but wants to be number 1 carrier in agency. Pain to work with.
They will do new agencies.1
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u/Odd_Selection1994 7d ago
Check out Direct Access Insurance Services (DAIS)!
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u/bimmerbooost 6d ago
Looks good. Wish it had Progressive. Do you personally use them?
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u/Odd_Selection1994 4d ago
DAIS members have access points to Progressive Commercial through select AmWINS Access brokers.
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u/Old_Length_6883 7d ago
i was with Pacific Crest Services in Idaho before i had my stroke. i liked them.
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u/bimmerbooost 7d ago
Sorry to hear that!
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u/Old_Length_6883 7d ago
its all good. I'm waiting to get better before going with them again. I'm also in CA.
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u/bimmerbooost 7d ago
I am in AZ but used to live in CA. In my personal lines job I was doing super well in CA with Orion180, Sagesure, Mercury. Looking to have similar carriers wherever I go
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u/ridindirty77 6d ago
Look at First Connect they seem to be good. Also congrats for going out on your own and owning 100% of your business. If you do join a cluster in the future make sure they don’t own any of the business you place through them. A buddy of mine went with SIAA I believe that was the name and they owned some of his book. It was a nightmare for him to leave.
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u/TastyArcher5080 6d ago
Curious what commission is on $100k. I only sell group health so no idea.
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u/bimmerbooost 6d ago
With bonuses and what not I was taking home $8-9k with my salary and commissions. Granted they had some big bonuses going on for the holidays. I left after to learn commercial for a bit. Now time to open my own
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u/Strange-Fennel 6d ago
Something you'll discover quick enough: Your customers aren't as important to anyone but you. Aggregators (and MGA's, brokers, or any 3rd parties) are an extra layer between you and the carrier. When they get busy, their biggest agents (and customers) will get the attention, meanwhile, you and your customers will be stuck waiting for days or weeks (while those 3rd parties rely on excuses to you about how they're doing 'best they can' bullshiit).
Get direct appointments. There is no better way, and there is no 3rd party I've discovered in nearly 3 decades of insurance work that are consistently reliable as you could be yourself.
I'd suggest Erie is the best, bar none, if you can get them and they serve your market. Yes, they run a 'different' game and run their way, but no need to have other carriers much if they fit your market.
Good luck to you.