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How Do Insurance Agents Get Paid? Commissions Explained

How do insurance agents get paid? In this episode of the Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition podcast, we ...

Business professionals meeting in an office, shaking hands to represent agency perpetuation planning and succession transitions.

Agency Perpetuation Planning: How to Pass Your Insurance Business

By SIA of NC | 5 min read | Published September 2nd, 2025 Agency perpetuation planning is one ...

Beyond Direct Codes: Why Partnership Still Matters

Why should independent insurance agencies continue a partnership after getting direct codes? In this episode, we uncover why ...

Independent insurance agent writing notes in a journal, representing how to write business in other states – SIA of NC Blogs

Write Business in Other States: A Guide for Independent Agents

By SIA of NC | 5 min read | Published August 27th, 2025  Many prospective partners ask the same ...

Succession Planning: Protecting Your Agency’s Legacy

Thinking about the future of your insurance agency? Discover how to pass your agency to family or key ...

Beyond Your State Lines: Where Can You Sell Insurance?

Can independent insurance agencies write business outside their home state? In this episode, we break down what agents ...

How to Know You’re Ready for Insurance Agency Ownership

By SIA of NC | 5 min read | Published August 18th, 2025  Transitioning from producer to independent agency ...

Custom Insurance Partnerships That Fit

By SIA of NC | 5 min read | Published August 18th, 2025  When it comes to growing or ...

Key Focal Points For Ownership Success

Thinking about starting your own insurance agency? In this episode, we break down the key steps to determine ...

Carrier Appointments in 2025: What Independent Agencies Need to Know

By SIA of NC | 4 min read | Published August 4th, 2025  The insurance marketplace is beginning to ...

From Why to What: The Cost Behind Partnering with SIA of NC

Curious about what it really costs to partner with a network like SIA of NC? In this episode ...

Are Carriers Giving Out Direct Appointments?

Are independent carriers appointing again in 2025? YES—but with selectivity. In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance ...

A Strategic Choice: The Road to SIA of NC

Brent Farley didn’t set out to be an insurance agency owner—but once he discovered the path, he never ...

Betting on Yourself: The Journey to Independent Agency Ownership

By SIA of NC | 6 min read | Published July 29th, 2025  Becoming an independent insurance agency owner ...

Why Captive Agents Are Leaving for Independence

By SIA of NC | 4 min read | Published July 21st, 2025  The insurance landscape is changing, and ...

Hard Market Pressure: Disruption of Captive & Direct Writers

Captive and direct writers are feeling the pressure. In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we ...

Cyber Insurance Trends and Threats Every Business Should Watch

By SIA of NC | 🕒 4 min read | Published July 14th, 2025  The cyber insurance market is shifting—again. ...

Costly Clicks: The Claims Driving Cyber Insurance Rates

Cyber intrusions are up 72%—and small businesses are feeling the heat. In this episode of Build Your Legacy: ...

The Truth About Starting an Insurance Agency

By SIA of NC | 🕒 4 min read | Published July 7th, 2025  Starting an insurance agency is an ...

What New Agency Owners Should Know

Thinking about starting your own insurance agency? Before you leap, it’s critical to understand what it really takes ...

Building a Strong Commercial Book of Business: Where to Start

By SIA of NC | 🕒 5 min read | Published July 1st, 2025   For independent agents, building a commercial ...

How to Prepare Strategically for an Agency Acquisition

By SIA of NC | 🕒 4 min read | Published June 23rd, 2025  Acquiring an insurance agency is a ...

Tips for Growing Your Commercial Book of Business

Thinking about growing your commercial book of business but not sure where to begin? In this episode, we ...

Protecting Your Agency with Cyber Liability Insurance

By SIA of NC | 🕒 5 min read | Published June 16th, 2025  In today’s digital-first world, cyber liability ...

Be M&A Ready: Start With A Plan

Is your agency ready to acquire another book of business or agency? In this episode, we walk through ...

What Should an Insurance Agency Earn?

By SIA of NC | 🕒 5 min read | Published June 9th, 2025  Many agency owners ask ...

Cyber Coverage 101: What It Is & Why You Need It

Is your agency prepared for a cyberattack? In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we talk ...

Let’s Talk Profitability

Is your agency hitting the right profit margin? In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we ...

Understanding Insurance Agency Compensation: How Much Should You Pay Yourself?

By SIA of NC | 🕒 5 min read | Published May 29th, 2025 Running a successful insurance ...

Clicks, Leads, Clients, Repeat: Digital Marketing Tips

Wondering how to make digital marketing actually work for your insurance agency? In this episode of Build Your ...

Owner Compensation: What to Pay Yourself and Why

How Much Should Insurance Agency Owners Pay Themselves? How do independent insurance agency owners decide what to pay ...

Insurance Agency Partnerships: Unlocking Stability for Growth

By SIA of NC | 🕒 4 min read | Published May 19th, 2025 Many independent insurance agencies ...

Stability: Why It Matters In Insurance

Is your agency truly stable—or are you just hoping for the best? In this episode of Build Your ...

Why Choosing the Right Agency Partnership Matters

In today’s competitive insurance market, independent agency owners are rethinking how to grow, scale, and sustain their businesses. ...

The SIAA Advantage for Independent Agencies

Thinking about partnering with a network like SIAA? In this episode, we sit down with Don Mills, President ...

When to Walk Away From Insurance Business That Doesn’t Fit

Not every opportunity is a good one—and in the insurance world, knowing when to walk away from an ...

When to Move Forward & When to Walk Away

Not all business is good business. In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we explore when ...

Why Insurance Agency Networking Is More Important Than Ever

A Fresh Take on the Annual Meeting This spring, SIA of NC is reimagining its annual meeting format ...

2025 Annual Meeting: The Preview

This episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition gives a sneak peek into SIA of NC’s revamped annual ...

Key Questions to Ask Before Buying an Insurance Agency

Scale your Agency, expand the type of business you write, or step into ownership for the first time. ...

What to Ask Before Buying an Agency

Buying an insurance agency is a big decision—and not one to rush. In this episode of Build Your ...

Cost to Partner: What to Expect When Joining SIA of NC

Choosing the right insurance network is a big decision for any agency. One common question is: What is ...

Partnering with SIA of NC: Why It Costs

Ever wondered why there's a cost to partner with SIA of NC? In this episode of Build Your ...

Why Every Insurance Agency Needs a Perpetuation Plan

A successful insurance agency is built on strategy, relationships, and long-term thinking. Yet many independent agency owners fail ...

Perpetuation Planning: Beyond the Why

Is your insurance agency ready for the future? In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we ...

Don’t Leave It to Chance: How to Plan for the Future of Your Insurance Agency

What happens to your agency if something happens to you, the owner? Do you have a plan in ...

Securing Your Legacy: Why Perpetuation Planning Matters

Who takes over your agency if something happens to you? In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance ...

Woman putting head against wall who appears stressed. Cover photo for the "Why Insurance Agencies Fail" blog

Why Insurance Agencies Fail (And How to Avoid It)

Starting your own independent insurance agency can be one of the most rewarding decisions of your career. But ...

The Pitfalls of Insurance Agencies: Why So Many Fail

Thinking about starting an insurance agency? Many independent agencies struggle to stay afloat—and some fail entirely. In this ...

What Makes a Successful Independent Insurance Agency Owner?

Starting and growing an independent insurance agency takes more than just industry knowledge. The most successful agency owners ...

What Makes a Good Independent Agency Owner?

What makes a great independent agency owner? In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we sit ...

The Five Layers of Agency Compensation

Compensation in the insurance industry is about more than just commissions—it’s about leveraging every available revenue stream. For ...

5 Pillars of Compensation: The Breakdown

Is your agency maximizing every revenue opportunity? In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we break ...

Exploring Insurance Agency Partnerships: Why More Agents Are Making the Move

The insurance industry is shifting, and many professionals—whether independent agents, captive agents, or producers—are considering new opportunities. Insurance ...

Episode #31: The Evolution of Existing Agencies: Is It Time to Partner? two men shaking hands across a table like a deal was made.

The Power of Partnerships: Why Independent Agencies Should Think Bigger

The Power of Partnerships in the Insurance Industry is transforming the way agencies grow, scale, and succeed. While ...

The Evolution of Existing Agencies: Is It Time to Partner?

Is your agency maximizing its potential? In this episode, we dive into why the evolution of existing agencies ...

Strong Carrier Relationships in Insurance

In the insurance business, relationships are everything. While most agents prioritize client relationships, one crucial connection often gets ...

Beyond Policies: Why Carrier Relationships Matter

Beyond Policies: Why Carrier Relationships Matter– Success in the insurance industry isn’t just about clients—it’s about building strong ...

Insurance Coverage Guide for Independent Agencies

The Essential Insurance Guide for Independent Agencies: What You Need & How to Budget

Starting an independent insurance agency comes with many decisions, and securing the right coverage is one of the ...

Essential Coverages for Independent Agencies

Essential Coverages for Independent Insurance Agencies | Protect Your Business Running an independent insurance agency? Make sure you ...

Road decision moment, with a person choosing between two paths in a scenic landscape, road decision, life choices- finding the right number of carriers

Finding the Right Number of Carriers: Quality Over Quantity?

Quality Over Quantity? As we start another year, independent insurance agents are reassessing their business strategies. Profit-sharing checks ...

How Many Carriers Do You Need?

As an independent insurance agent, you have access to multiple carriers—but how many carriers do you really need? ...

Adobe stock photo for blog titled, "How Much DO You Really Need to Start an Independent Agency". Photo shows a man's hands typing on a laptop, calculator and 100 bills are visible on the table.

How Much Money Do You REALLY Need to Start an Independent Agency?

Starting an independent insurance agency is an exciting venture, but the big question always lingers—what are the insurance ...

Start-Up Costs for an Independent Agency

How much money do you really need to start an independent insurance agency? In this episode of Build ...

stock photo of man in suit sitting on edge of desk near window

Is Owning an Insurance Agency the Right Move for You?

Starting an independent insurance agency is a significant career decision. For the right person, it can be an ...

Who Should Start an Independent Agency?

In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, hosts Bill and Travis discuss who should start their ...

Railroad transfer rails - illustration of how to shift between PL to CL insurance

Transitioning from Personal Insurance to Commercial Insurance

Agency Owners often dream of expansion. For many, that means taking the leap from personal lines to commercial ...

Shifting Your Agency From Personal to Commercial Lines

In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, hosts Bill and Travis discuss the transition from personal ...

Wooden blocks on table spelling, "Find your Niche"

Decoding Your Niche: The Personal vs. Commercial Insurance Debate

Starting a new year often stirs questions about direction, especially for agency owners trying to carve out their ...

Finding Your Focus: Personal or Commercial Lines?

In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, Travis and Bill dive into a common question for ...

stock photo of mixed variety of 2 men and 2 women excitedly staring at their computer screen for employee benefits

Building Loyalty Through Benefits: Smart Strategies for Your Agency

Starting your own business is an exciting journey filled with opportunities to shape your vision and build your ...

Protecting Your People: The Right Benefits for Your Agency

In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, Bill Mills is joined by Brandon Mills from SIA ...

The Opportunities in Insurance M&As

As we bid farewell to 2024, we want to take a moment to thank all our listeners for ...

Opportunity Knocks: The Upside of M&A in Insurance

In this episode of the Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition podcast, Bill and Travis dive into the dynamics ...

Budgeting Tips for Independent Agencies

“Good fortune is what happens when opportunity meets planning.” – Thomas Edison As the new year approaches, it’s time ...

Making an Impact: Supporting Communities Through Nonprofits

"Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world." – Howard Zinn Giving back to your ...

Budgeting Tips for Independent Agencies

In this holiday-themed episode of the Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition podcast, Travis and Bill discuss a timely ...

Insurance Carrier Planning 2025 strategy meeting among professionals

Planning with Insurance Carriers for 2025

As the end of the year approaches, insurance carriers begin their internal planning for 2025, and agents should ...

Caring Beyond Coverage: Giving Back Through Nonprofits

In this episode, the focus shifts to the spirit of giving back during the holiday season by discussing ...

Agency Planning for 2025

In this episode, we discuss the essential process of agency planning for the upcoming year, building on the ...

From the Carrier’s View: Insights for Agencies

Join us for an insightful conversation with Matt Littlejohn, a seasoned insurance professional with over 20 years of ...

Planning with Carriers for 2025

As the insurance landscape shifts, planning with carriers becomes more critical than ever. In this episode, Bill and ...

Unlocking Carrier Access

When it comes to expanding your agency, one of the most critical areas to focus on is building ...

Unlocking Carrier Access

In this episode, Whitney Oliver discusses the importance of building strong relationships with insurance carriers to help new ...

Let’s Talk About AccessPlus!

In this episode, the hosts highlight the unique role of AccessPlus, which is designed to help agents grow ...

Employee Classifications: Salary, Hourly, or Exempt?

In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we welcome back Stefani Butschle to address a common ...

The Producer Dilemma: W2 vs. 1099 in Insurance Agencies

When hiring producers for an insurance agency, a key consideration is how to classify them: as employees (W2) ...

How Do I Get Direct Codes?

In this episode, Bill and Travis tackle a common question in the insurance world: How do I get ...

What is the difference between Independent vs. Captive Insurance Agencies

Understanding the differences between independent and captive insurance agencies is essential for making informed decisions about your insurance ...

Do I Own My Book of Business?

In this episode, Bill and Travis tackle one of the most common questions they receive: Do I own ...

Understanding Contingency: A Key Opportunity for Agencies

Contingency, often referred to in various terms like "bonus," "profit sharing," or "growth incentives," represents a form of ...

Agency Foundation: Support For Every Stage

We’re excited to introduce Whitney Oliver, our Agency Partner Growth Coach, who will guide us through the essentials ...

A close-up of several hands engaged in a fist bump, symbolizing teamwork and collaboration. The background is softly blurred, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere that emphasizes the connection between the individuals.

Agency Partnerships: Who’s on the Hunt?

In this episode, we explore why agency owners, captive agents, producers, and entrepreneurs are turning to agency partnerships. ...

The Big Question: Why Doesn’t Everyone Do What We Do?

In this episode, Bill and Travis tackle one of the most frequently asked questions: "If it’s so great, ...

Taxing Choices: 1099 vs. W-2 Decoding Employment Status

In this episode, Bill and Stefani Butschle discuss what it means to be a 1099 employee and a ...

Independent or Captive? The Breakdown

In this episode, Bill and Travis discuss the major differences between independent and captive agencies. Take a listen ...

Let’s Talk About Contingency

In this episode, Bill and Travis discuss what contingency is, who can get it, and the significant impact ...

3 Must-Ask Questions Before You Partner Up!

In this episode, Travis and Bill discuss the top three questions a potential agency partner should ask before ...

From Baseball to Business: Andy Neary’s Playbook

Meet Andy Neary! In this episode, Andy and Travis talk about the upcoming 2024 Annual Owners' Meeting, and ...

SIA of NC’s Annual Meeting

In this episode, Bill and Travis talk about our upcoming 2024 Annual Owners' Meeting in Durham, NC, and ...

What is SIA of NC?

In this episode, Bill and Travis answer one of their most-asked questions: What is SIA of NC? Take ...

A close-up view of a computer screen displaying a virtual meeting with nine participants, all smiling and waving. A hand from the foreground waves towards the screen, indicating engagement in the virtual interaction.

Elevate Your Agency with SIA of NC’s Development Webinars

At SIA of NC, we understand the importance of continuous learning and development for insurance agencies. Our Agency ...

Welcome to Our Podcast

Welcome to SIA of NC's first podcast episode! Meet our hosts, Bill Mills and Travis Collier, as they ...

A close-up shot of a chessboard featuring polished black chess pieces, prominently displaying a black king piece at the center. The blurred background features soft bokeh lights, adding a warm and atmospheric feel to the scene.

Strengthen Your Agency with SIA of NC’s Development Programs

At SIA of NC, we are committed to supporting the growth and success of insurance agencies through our ...

Three people are smiling and engaged in a celebratory high-five, with their hands raised together in a lively and joyful moment. The setting appears to be an office or collaborative space, indicating teamwork and positive interaction.

Empowering Your Business with SIA of NC’s Growth & Development Resources

At SIA of NC, we believe in fostering growth and development for businesses of all sizes. Whether you're ...

Elevate Your Agency with SIA of NC’s Development Webinars

At SIA of NC, we understand the importance of continuous learning and development for insurance agencies. Our Agency ...

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