VIP TRAINING — MODULE 02/10← All modules
MODULE 02

The Independent Agency Landscape

Not all insurance agencies are the same, and we don't sell to all of them. This module breaks down the 4 types of agencies and tells you exactly who you're calling.

THE 4 TYPES

Who Sells Insurance In America

CAPTIVE State Farm Allstate Farmers Sells ONE carrier Carrier owns brand DON'T CALL Restricted by carrier INDEPENDENT "ABC Insurance" Local agencies 1-100 employees Sells MANY carriers Owns own brand CALL THESE Our ICP BROKER Larger firms Marsh, Aon, etc Reps the customer Often commercial SOMETIMES If 1-100 employees MGA / WHOLESALE Carrier-side Specialty / E&S Sells to agents Not retail DON'T CALL Wrong buyer
Green = our ICP. Yellow = case-by-case. Red & Blue = skip.

Captive Agent

Works for one carrier. Examples: every State Farm or Allstate office. They wear the carrier's brand. They can't change their CRM, website, or marketing without carrier approval. We don't call these.

Independent Agent

Owns their own brand. Sells policies from many carriers (Progressive, Travelers, Nationwide, etc.). Has total control over their tools and marketing. This is who we call. Look for "Insurance Agency" or "Insurance Group" in the company name.

Broker

Represents the customer rather than the carrier. Often commercial focused. Larger ones like Marsh and Aon are way too big for us. Smaller commercial brokers (1-100 employees) sometimes fit, but they're not our sweet spot.

MGA / Wholesaler

Sells specialty insurance products to agents (not to consumers). Examples: Burns & Wilcox. Their customers are agents, not consumers. Skip.

HOW TO TELL

Reading a Lead's Profile

You'll see lots of info on each lead. Here's what tells you "this is the right person."

SignalWhat it means
Title is "Owner," "Principal," "Founder," "President"Decision-maker. Good.
Title is "Account Manager" or "CSR"Service person, not a buyer. Skip.
Company name has "Agency," "Group," "Insurance," "& Associates"Likely independent. Good.
Company name is "State Farm," "Allstate," "Farmers"Captive. Skip.
1-25 employeesSweet spot. Owner is hands-on.
50-100 employeesPossible. Has decision-makers but slower.
100+ employeesToo big. Has procurement & vendors. Skip.
Quick gut check: if you can imagine the owner answering the phone themselves at noon on a Tuesday, you're in the right zone. If you imagine reaching a phone tree, move on.
HELPFUL VIDEOS

Watch These To Reinforce This Module

Each link opens a YouTube search. Pick whichever video looks best in the results.

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