One of the more challenging aspects of starting an independent agency is securing direct appointments. While it is possible to build carrier relationships on your own, especially if you have prior agency experience, Independent Insurance Agents of Wisconsin's investment in Independent Market Solutions (IMS) makes accessing markets much more straightforward. 

With approximately 3,000 sub-producers, IMS is an agency network that provides access to various insurance markets, including state-specific standard and niche markets that can help you place a policy designed to fit your customers' needs. Rather than consolidate, IMS works to perpetuate independent agencies by providing competitive terms and a pathway to direct appointments with select insurance carriers. 

Agents who gain appointments through IMS can quickly begin writing policies with our roster of carriers and earn competitive commissions. They also retain 100 percent of ownership of policy expirations and can participate in any earned program contingencies. 

IMS opens the door for agents to more easily qualify for appointments that can often lead to "graduation" - a direct appointment when minimum premium thresholds and performance standards are met. The beauty of IMS is that IIAW members can take advantage of this market access program through their membership with no additional cost or hidden fees. IMS continues to add markets to its ever-growing menu and you can see what markets are available in Wisconsin here.