Category: Blog

When Values Drive Value

A Thoughtful Agency Transition Done Right Growing up the son of an independent insurance agent, Alan Sills of Ralph P. Sills Insurance Agency, didn’t originally plan to be part of the family business. He pursued a legal career, attending law school and practicing as an attorney for several years before his father asked him for […]

Two Truths and a Lie About the Insurance Agency M&A Environment

Given the massive number of M&A transactions in the IA system over the past decade, it has created an abundance of misinformation about the M&A environment for independent agency owners. In an effort to clear up some of the misconceptions, we are going to engage in a game of two truths and a lie. Truth […]

How Publicly Traded Brokers’ Values Impact Retail Agencies’ Values

Most independent agency owners don’t wake up thinking about Arthur J. Gallagher’s balance sheet or the private equity cost of capital. You’re thinking about renewals, staffing, carrier relationships, and whether the market will soften or harden. But here’s the truth: the valuations making headlines in the insurance brokerage world are quietly shaping what your agency […]

You Only Have One Opportunity to Sell Your Agency. Is DIY the Best Idea?

Insurance agents advise their clients every day on risk, protection, and long-term financial outcomes. Yet, when it comes time to sell their own agency, often the most valuable financial asset they will ever own, many owners choose a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach. That decision is not just inconsistent with the advice agents give their clients; it […]

Is the M&A Environment Good or Bad for Your Agency?

The IA system has been in a period of prolonged consolidation for the past 30 years without any signs of a real slowdown. According to the Agency Universe Study, the number of independent insurance agencies has declined by 12% since 1996, and barring a 10% increase in 2022 (a temporary COVID bump), the IA system […]

Is Investing Into AI Worth It?

AI is not here to replace independent agents, but it is here to amplify them. Disclaimer: This article was written with the help of generative AI. 7:45 a.m., not too far in the future. An agency owner sits at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee, scrolling headlines before the day gets away from […]

To C-Corp or Not to C-Corp

Taxation Implications of Different Corporate Structures As another tax season approaches, now is an ideal time for independent insurance agency owners to reassess their corporate structure and evaluate whether they are positioned to minimize their annual tax burden – while also preparing for the long-term tax implications of a future sale. A thoughtful tax review […]

Valuation Views: 2025 Q4 Marketplace Report

Choose Your Carrier Partners Wisely Carrier Relationships Significantly Impact Agency Value The carriers you choose to partner with in your agency are arguably the most important decision you will make in building your business. The impact on agency value is hard to precisely quantify, but it is safe to say it has a profound impact […]