For new or smaller agencies, having access to markets right away means more new business opportunities and growth potential for your agency. But building those carrier relationships needed to secure quality appointments can be time-consuming and challenging.

As an IIAW member, you can get a jump start on building those key relationships through Independent Market Solutions (IMS). The IMS program provides access to a broad mix of state-specific standard and niche markets at no additional cost to you. Instead of relying on traditional appointments, IMS creates marketplace leverage through its negotiated contracts and facilitates direct relationships between independent agencies and carriers.

Agents who gain appointments through IMS maintain a direct working relationship with carriers, all while taking advantage of competitive commissions, 100 percent ownership of expirations, low to no volume commitments, and participation in any earned program contingencies. Every IMS agency ALWAYS owns its book of business and, if minimum premium threshold and performance standards are met, direct appointments are available.

Getting started with IMS is easy and doesn’t involve any hidden fees or fine print. All you need to do is sign up online to start connecting with carriers.