| Trusted Choice |
Training, Education & Guidance |
Thank
you for your interest in Eagle Agency.
Thank you for your
interest in Eagle Agency.
You are just a few steps away from gaining access to four premier
personal lines markets.
Eagle Company Partners are Travelers, MetLife Auto and Home, Hartford
and Progressive.
What is Eagle Agency?
Eagle Agency is an independent agency operated
by the Big “I”. It is an
exclusive personal lines benefit for Big “I” members.
As an Eagle Agent you maximize
independence by choosing either to be appointed to sub-produce policies
or just simply submit personal lines business on the Big I Markets
website for quote and issue as needed.
For both options the Eagle Company Partners: Travelers, MetLife
Auto and Home, The Hartford and Progressive are the same. If you choose
appointment there is a minimum required two (2) new lines policies a
month for each Company. If you are not sure the Agency can commit to 2
new line policies a month, choose Eagle Express.
There is no minimum per month policy requirement with Eagle
Express.
Is there a membership cost?
Yes, there is a one time, non-refundable fee of $100.00.
The fee is collected by the State Association.
Who should apply for Eagle?
Anyone with prior insurance industry experience as an independent agent,
captive agent, direct writer, company underwriter or personnel or claims
representative .If you are thinking about becoming an independent agent
or are an agent relatively new in business, Eagle Agency can be an
especially good fit for you.
Eagle Agency Submission and Appointment
Requirements:
We work closely with carriers to
qualify prospective Eagle agents. To be considered for an Eagle
appointment, current
and ongoing membership with the State Association is an Eagle Agency
requirement. The
candidate will also provide:
- Business Plan
- Agency principal’s resume
- Copy of Errors and Omissions Declaration with a minimum of $1,000,000
- *Agency License
- Agent License(s)
- If you are a current agent, production loss reports from the top three personal lines carriers
- Core Business Requirements:
- Active membership with your Big “I” State Association
- Hold valid Property/Casualty Licenses
- Maintain Errors and Omission coverage with at least a minimum limit of $1,000,000
- Computer with Microsoft Windows based operating system (sorry, Eagle automation is not compatible with Mac)
*Certain agency
ownerships do not require an agency license. Check with your
State.
There are choices
with Eagle Agency!
You, the agent choose. No matter what
choice you make, there is a $100 membership fee for access to Eagle. Additional fees may apply depending on which of the four access choices
works best for you. The four choices include the following;
|
Eagle: |
Eagle Plus: |
Eagle A-Plus: |
Eagle Express: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
You apply for appointment. Choose all four or just one Company;
it is the agency’s decision. If approved by the carrier, the
agency quotes, binds and transacts all policy business through
the carrier online portal.
|
Eagle Plus
works just like Eagle accept you can use PL Rating, an online
comparative rater to quote. PL Rating provides the capacity the
capacity to receive multiple quotes with a single entry.
|
Eagle A-Plus
is Eagle Agency with PL Rating, a comparative rating system and
AMS360, an agency management system. Both PL Rating and AMS360
are online programs. AMS360 helps you manage and process policy
detail, and accounting client information. It also performs
marketing functions.
|
Eagle Express
enables the agent to receive quotes from multiple carries by
completing only one application. State, territorial and
underwriting restrictions apply. Eagle Agency underwrites
quotes, binds and issues new business.
|
| Trusted Choice |
Training, Education & Guidance |
Top of Page |
Eagle Commission Structure
With Eagle Agency the more you write the more you earn. In addition to
being able to earn graduated commissions,
YOU OWN the policy renewal and
there is NO penalty fee should you decide to move the business from
Eagle.
The commission we receive differs by carrier and
line of business. The
percentage we share with Eagle Agents is based on the total volume of
the agency. Earn graduated
commissions based on volume as indicated below:
|
Agent Volume Per Insurer (From => To) |
Agent Share of Commission |
Eagle Express agent share of Commission |
|
|
$0 |
$99,999 |
66.0% |
55.0% |
|
$100,000 |
$249,999 |
75.0% |
65.0% |
|
$250,000 |
$499,999 |
82.5% |
72.5% |
|
$500,000 |
Over |
90.0% |
80.0% |
*Eagle Express agents must use company
service centers which results in lower commission.
How to apply for Eagle Agency
Join your state
association
1.
First, join your Big "I" state association.
Click here to find your state’s website and
contact information. In
addition to the services provided by the state, you get access to
programs offered through the national association, such as Eagle Agency.
Click here
to learn more about the Big "I".
2.
Become a Big "I" Markets Sub-producer.
Once you are a member, become a sub-producer on Big "I"
Markets, the Big "I"’s market access program.
Go to
www.bigimarkets.com.
From the landing page, select the “Register
On-line” link and follow the instructions.
This process puts a sub-producer agreement in place.
Take some time to navigate the site to become familiar with the
products available. (A
website demonstration webinar is held every Thursday afternoon.
See website to register.)
3.
Apply for Eagle.
Once the BIM registration is complete, Log onto Big “I” Markets (www.bigimarkets.com)
and select Eagle Agency Appointment Application from the offline
products menu on the left tool bar.
4.
Once
you have selected Eagle Agency Appointment Application, click on the
request a quote button.
5.
Complete
the information requested. ENTER YOUR AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS AS THE
CLIENT, as you are actually the client in this case.
6.
Submit the quote
request which will alert Eagle staff of your interest.
7.
Complete the online
application and provide the additional forms that are required.
8.
Either scan and
attach the completed agency profile forms in Big “I” Markets or fax them
to Jodie Bacote at 703-995-4406. The required forms include a business
plan, resume a copy of your agency E&O dec page, most recent production
report, and a copy of your state P&C license.
Eagle Agency has been a part of the Association for fifteen years. It
was originally developed to help small, rural agencies compete in the
market with nationally recognized carrier. Eagle started in thirteen
states and now we are in forty eight states and the District of
Columbia. There are quite a few Eagle success stories.
Our Partners
Travelers has been a partner of
Eagle Agency since the 90’s, when Eagle Agency was first established.
All types of personal insurance for individuals are available,
including auto, homeowners, condo, renters, boat/yacht and umbrella.
Travelers is a Trusted Choice® sponsored carrier.
Rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best Company.
Through Eagle Agency, coverage is not available in, Alaska,
Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota,
West Virginia and Wyoming.
In addition, there may be restricted availability in other areas.
MetLife Auto and Home
is well known and respected carrier.
Insurance from MetLife offers protection from financial losses
that can occur to vehicles and homes.
Rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best Company.
Products are not available in Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, and
Michigan. In addition, there
may be restricted availability in other areas.
Progressive Personal Lines is one of our newer partners and a Trusted Choice® carrier offering personal lines products. Rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best Company. Progressive is not available in New Jersey and Massachusetts. Territorial limitations in other states may apply.
Hartford is the newest partner and a Trusted Choice® carrier. The Hartford is consistently recognized for its superior products and service. Rated A (Excellent) by AM Best Company Hartford Personal Lines are not available in Michigan, New Jersey, Mississippi and Delaware. In addition, there may be restricted availability in other areas.
Eagle Fee StructureEagle offers one of the lowest cost points of entry into the agency business. In addition to the cost of the State Association membership, Eagle Agency has a one- time non-refundable registration fee of $100.00. The membership fee is paid to the State Association.
Fee structure:
|
Eagle |
Eagle Plus |
Eagle A-Plus |
Eagle Express |
|
$100 registration fee |
$100 registration fee |
$100 registration fee |
$100 registration fee |
|
No additional set-up fees |
$100.00 PL Rating Set-Up (one time) fee up to five users |
$100.00 PL Rating set-up (one time) charge for up to five users |
No additional set-up fees |
|
No additional monthly fees |
$213.00 PL Rating Monthly fee up to 5 users billed quarterly ($639) |
$213.00 PL Rating monthly fee up to five users billed quarterly |
No additional monthly fees |
|
No training fees |
N/A |
$90.00 Training fee for 6 AMS360 online Learn Modules |
No training fees |
|
No set-up fee |
N/A |
$300.00 AMS360 set-up fee (one time) charge for single user |
No set-up fee |
|
N/A |
N/A |
$242.00 AMS360 Monthly fee for single user billed quarterly ($726) |
N/A |
Upon sub-producer appointment approval each new Eagle A-Plus principal
will be assessed an activation fee of $100 for PL Rater and $300 for
access to the AMS 360 platform. These are costs Eagle incurs and are
being passed along to you at steep discounts from normal pricing. The
monthly fee for access to both Pl Rating and AMS 360 is $455 with the
first three months payable due prior to the agency being activated.
Subsequent access fees will be billed quarterly. The principal will be
able to add producers and CSR’s, each with their own account at an
activation fee of $100 for PL Rating and $300 for AMS 360 and a monthly
fee of $242 per user. In addition, a training fee of $90 will be due to
Eagle A-Plus upon activation. This fee will provide access to six AMS
training modules, each of which must be successfully completed that must
be successfully completed before your agency can be activated for Eagle
Plus.
Total start-up fees required prior to
activation of Eagle A-Plus are $1,855.00 itemized as follows:
Single User Start-Up Fees:
PL Rating and AMS360 set up fees: $400
Three months advance of monthly user fees: $1,365
Recurring Monthly Fees for Eagle A-Plus are:
PL Rating and AMS360: $1,365 ($455.00 cost per month billed quarterly)
The recurring monthly fee for use of AMS360 and PL Rating is $455.00. This fee will be invoiced quarterly. The invoice will be delivered forty-five days (45) prior to the due date. Failure to pay the quarterly monthly fees by due date in accordance with all delinquent pay notices will result in the agency, agency employee(s) for whom the fees are not paid losing access to both PL Rating and the AMS 360 system. Once fees are paid current there will be a re-activation fee of 50% of commission for the month Eagle Agency has process your statement. If it happens more than three times in one year your agency can be subject to termination from Eagle agency.
| Trusted Choice |
Training, Education & Guidance |
Top of Page |
Minority-Owned
Agency Grant Available to Eagle Agency Applicants
(Excludes Eagle and Eagle Express)
The IIABA's Diversity Task Force is pleased to offer grants to defray
the cost of entry for Eagle Agency applicants. If your agency has at
least a 51% minority ownership and you would like to apply for a
one-time $500.00 grant, please provide the following information:
|
Agency Ownership is at least 51%: |
Market Served by My Agency: |
|
Asian American African American Hispanic Women Native American Middle Eastern |
Urban Suburban Rural Mixed |
If your agency is accepted for participation in the Eagle Agency, you
will be notified if your grant request has been approved. You can apply
for the diversity grant as you complete the Eagle Agency registration
process by
clicking here.
About the Diversity Task Force
The goal of the IIABA Diversity Task Force is to help create an
independent agency population, from ownership to all staffing levels,
that mirror the diversity of our nation and enables both agencies and
companies to achieve optimal growth and market penetration.
| Trusted Choice |
Training, Education & Guidance |
Top of Page |
Big "I" Markets:
Round out your market access opportunities by registering for Big "I"
Markets (BIM). BIM is an online market access wholesale outlet
available exclusively to Big “I” members for specialty niche business
that has NO access fees and NO minimum volume commitments. Through BIM
you can access such markets as Chubb, Fireman’s Fund and ACE for high-end personal lines accounts, MiddleOak for
Habitational markets,
Travelers Select accounts for small and medium sized commercial,
Lexington for non-standard homeowners and a host of other specialty
markets. Visit
www.bigimarkets.com
for more information or
click here
to view the 2012 BIM product guide.
Big "I" Retirement Services:
You can access a retirement program for you and your employees. This
includes having support in tailoring your plan to fit your needs and
ongoing support in managing your accounts.
LifeSource:
Offering life insurance to your clients is an absolute must if you are
going to provide them full circle protection to help them protect their
most precious asset, their life. Plus selling life insurance is a great
way to generate much needed agency cash flow. With LifeSource you will
have access to hundreds of the best life markets. Better yet, you do NOT
even have to be very knowledgeable in life to benefit from LifeSource.
Instead, you can simply refer a client who is interested in Life
Insurance to LifeSource and let LifeSource make the sale on your behalf.
You still own the business and get paid both new and renewal
commissions. You can also access LifeSource for annuity and disability
products.
| Trusted Choice |
Training, Education & Guidance |
Top of Page |
Trusted Choice® was created to be a unifying brand for independent insurance agents and brokers and to help educate consumers about the benefits of using an independent agent or broker when buying insurance - choice of companies, customization of policies, and advocacy support. Trusted Choice® provides resources for independent agents and brokers to position themselves as the premier distribution option.
Trusted Choice® is not a market access program. While there are currently 61 Trusted Choice® Company Participants; that simply means that these companies have made a financial commitment to Trusted Choice®. They make that financial investment as a way of demonstrating their commitment to the independent agency system, and their confidence in their agents' unparalleled valued. Trusted Choice® Company Participants realize that using a unified voice for advertising and promoting independent agents and brokers is what is best for everyone. Working together creates the best opportunity to affect significant change in consumer perception and market share.
www.trustedchoice.com| Trusted Choice |
Training, Education & Guidance |
Top of Page |
Agency Marketing
Trying to find prospects and developing
marketing strategies and tactics to write business is the lifeblood of
any agency.
Member Marketing Activity Center (MMAC)
www.independentagent.com/mmac
As an Eagle Agency agent, you will have access to the Member Marketing
Activity Center (MMAC) that helps you design and implement marketing
campaigns. MMAC takes the legwork out of much of the process by giving
you access to customizable marketing materials, lead, prospect lists and
will even execute email and, direct mail campaigns.
Order your Big “I” and Trusted Choice logo calendars, business cards,
stationery, promotional give-a-ways and other marketing support tools
through MMAC, which specializes EXCLUSIVELY in helping meet the
marketing needs of insurance agents. Our partner, Mines Press, has been
committed to bringing print marketing materials to IIABA members for
over 20 years.
| Trusted Choice |
Training, Education & Guidance |
Top of Page |
Training
With Virtual University you have at your fingertips access to a host of
educational and training support including the "Ask the Expert" service
where you can submit a coverage questions and within 24 hours gave an
answer from several CPCUs OR access VU's extensive library of online CE
classes, research library, newsletters and more.
www.independentagent.com/VU.
Guidance - Ask the Expert
Need some expert advice on anything and everything to do with operating
an agency? As an Eagle Agency agent and member of the Big I, you have
access to the “Ask The Expert” service which is part of the Big I
Virtual University. Simply go to the Ask The Expert link within Virtual
University and fill out the question form. Your questions will be sent
to several of the over 50 industry experts that comprise the Ask The
Expert response team. You will receive written insights from several
experts. No topic is off limits. So whether you have a questions on how
to use your agency management system, how to pay staff or anything in
between, let the experts at Virtual University give you the advice you
need. The cost for this exclusive service? Nothing! It comes with being
a member of the Big I and an Eagle agent!
Your state association offers a wide range of classroom continuing education opportunities to help you and your support staff stay current on industry issues and state insurance department CE requirements.
IA magazine:
As an Eagle Agency agent you automatically will receive the award winning IA Magazine. Published monthly, IA Magazine is written specifically with the concerns of Independent Agents in mind.
| Trusted Choice |
Training, Education & Guidance |
Top of Page |
InsurBanc:
Do all of your banking with a bank that specialized EXCLUSIVLEY on
meeting the needs of Independent Insurance agents.
Caliper:
You will receive exclusive discount pricing on the premier personality
testing product in the industry. Caliper hulks’ you make sure that you
hire the right person for each job function.
Young Agents (YAC):
If you are a under 40 you can choose to participate in the associations
Young Agent program. The program is designed to help younger agents
network with one another and get involved in charitable work.
FedEx:
As a member of the Big I you can save up to 26% on select FedEx shipping
services.
| Trusted Choice |
Training, Education & Guidance |
Top of Page |