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 […]
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 […]
A Boutique Brokerage Built to Endure: The BlueStone Advisors Growth Story
Husband and wife duo, Andrew Royce and Tracie Rasmussen, started BlueStone Advisors over a decade ago, and in that time, they’ve built a firm rooted in purpose, innovation, and lasting impact.
Four Insurance Agency Valuations Trends to Watch in 2026
As we step into 2026, independent insurance agencies face a valuation landscape shaped by a softening insurance market, prolonged economic uncertainty, continuing agency consolidation, shifting ownership dynamics, and rapidly evolving technology. For agency owners contemplating perpetuation, a sale, or simply benchmarking their business value, understanding the following trends is critical for 2026 business planning. 1. […]
Is Now the Right Time to Transition Your Agency? 10 Critical Factors to Consider
Transitioning ownership of your insurance agency isn’t a decision you make lightly. It’s the culmination of decades of work, relationships, and strategic planning. Yet many agency owners struggle with the fundamental question: When is the right time?
Building Value Through Talent Acquisition – A Case Study for Independent Insurance Agencies
Today’s insurance landscape is facing a “talent desert,” and agencies that want to thrive are shifting their focus from chasing revenue to acquiring growth-minded professionals. These sellers, often younger, ambitious, and hungry for scale, are the oasis in this dry terrain. When you find one, the impact can be transformative. A well-aligned talent acquisition doesn’t […]
Valuation Views: 2025 Q2 Marketplace Report
2024 AGENCY CONTINGENCY PERFORMANCE CONTINUES DOWNWARD TREND WHILE P&C INDUSTRY REBOUNDS TO UNDERWRITING PROFITABILITY Last year was another rough year for contingency bonuses. While the P&C Industry posted a combined loss ratio of 97.1% and many carriers started to get back to underwriting profitability (Chubb was the league leader with 86.6% combined ratio and $9B […]
Building Value Through Acquisition – A Case Study for Independent Insurance Agencies
There are many ways to increase agency value, but there are always questions. Is organic or acquired growth better? What do I need to think about when considering an acquisition? How do I create the financial model to decide what to offer in an acquisition? What is the benefit of a new producer? Is an […]
Benefits as a Tool to Recruit and Retain Talent in the IA System
IA Valuations has worked with hundreds of independent insurance agencies over the past eight years. While working with clients and discussing their pain points, we hear two themes pretty consistently: agencies continue to struggle with growth and talent acquisition. Many owners are actively searching for and recruiting next-generation talent, but the industry and its potential […]