Our take first
- For a brand-new agency, a no-fee aggregator is the fastest way to quote real markets on day one. You pay for it in commission share and in control, so read the contract like you'll want to leave someday.
- Three terms decide the deal: who owns the book, what it costs to leave, and what volume keeps your access. Most groups don't publish any of the three.
- Market access doesn't produce customers. Every option here helps you quote. None of them hands you businesses that need a quote. More on that below.
The options compared
| Option | Cost to join, as published | Path for new agencies | Book ownership | Size and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smart ChoiceAggregator network | Calls itself the only no-fee program of its kind | Smart Start lets agents write personal and commercial business without appointments; Express Markets team for appointment access | Not in its published terms; ask | 12,000+ independent agencies, 120+ carriers, and $12 billion+ in written premium; territory managers, product training, an accounting team |
| SIAAAlliance of 49 regional Master Agencies | Not published | A "Start-ups & New Agencies" membership path and an Agency FOUNDATION program | Not published | $18.1 billion in total written premium; access to your Master Agency's markets, profit-sharing, and incentives |
| AgenteroDigital P&C platform | No startup investment or upfront fees | "No requirements" for carrier access; says appointments in 4 days | Not published | Carriers listed include Travelers, Hanover, Nationwide, Chubb, CNA, and Hiscox; one reconciled commission statement, paid the following month |
| Agency HeightMarket access and agent growth platform | $0 to start; markets and CRM free on every plan; paid plans not priced | Appointments with participating carriers for your states and lines; a wholesale option when you lack a direct appointment | Not published | No carrier count published; routes shopper requests to agents, with Lead Bank leads exclusive on paid plans |
| Big "I" Alliance (through FAIA)Placement center run by the national Big "I" | No access, monthly, or termination fees; no minimum production | Register online and be approved; offered to FAIA members | "Ownership of expirations" | No carrier count published; specialty, niche, program, and hard-to-find markets |
From each organization's own pages, checked October 19, 2026. Fees, splits, and contract terms are usually shared only after you apply; confirm everything in your signed agreement.
The five, briefly
- Smart Choice is the largest by agency count and leads with no fees. Its Smart Start program is aimed squarely at agents without their own appointments.
- SIAA works through 49 regional Master Agencies, so the markets and support you get depend on the Master Agency for your area. It has a dedicated path for start-ups.
- Agentero is software-first: one portal for appointments, quoting, and a single commission statement. It says it has no requirements for carrier access and no upfront fees.
- Agency Height combines carrier market search and appointments with a free CRM and shopper lead routing. Paid plans exist but aren't priced on its site.
- The Big "I" Alliance is a free placement center for specialty and hard-to-place risks, offered through Florida's agent association. It is a supplement for odd classes, not a full book of standard markets.
What these arrangements typically cost
None of the five publishes a commission split. For a sense of the ranges, a 2020 Insurance Journal feature described the usual terms for each route. These are general figures from that article, not quotes from the groups above:
| Route | Typical pay to you | Typical fees |
|---|---|---|
| Aggregator | About two-thirds of standard commission | Often a monthly membership fee |
| Network or cluster | Varies by group; members usually keep full control of their accounts | Membership fees vary |
| Brokering through another agency | A 50/50 split is common; some agencies take only 10% or 20% | None stated |
| MGA or wholesaler | About one-half to one-third less than a direct appointment | None stated |
| Franchise | A commission split or royalty | A sizable fee to join, plus the monthly royalty or split |
Insurance Journal, "Things to Consider When Using Agency Partnership Groups," February 10, 2020. Terms have likely moved since then.
Florida notes
- The state association has its own programs. The Florida Association of Insurance Agents lists market access programs for members, including the Big "I" Alliance and a flood program that pays member agencies 20% commission on new and renewal business with no volume commitments.
- Small commercial markets that write new businesses are compared in our guide to where to place a brand-new Florida business, including which markets offer direct appointments.
- Workers' comp for new businesses has its own rules in Florida, including the state's residual market for businesses that get turned down. The same guide covers it.
What to get in writing before you sign
The Insurance Journal authors list the questions to settle before joining any partnership group. In short:
- Who owns the accounts and expirations, during the relationship and after it ends.
- What commission you are paid, on group carriers and on any direct appointments you already hold.
- What access costs: start-up fees, monthly fees, and splits.
- What it takes to keep access: premium minimums, loss-ratio targets, or production quotas.
- What it takes to leave, including notice periods and any buyout or non-compete.
- Errors and omissions: how your E&O coverage applies to business placed through the group.
The part no network solves
An aggregator gets you markets. It doesn't get you anyone to quote. A new agency's first year is decided by how many real prospects it can reach, and many new agents end up buying shared internet leads or calling the same established businesses everyone else is calling.
Brand-new businesses are the easier first sale. They have no incumbent agent and no renewal to protect, and many need coverage before they can sign a lease or start a job. FiledToday sends the businesses that registered in your Florida county every weekday morning, with holding companies and filing services removed, the owner's phone number, and the full mailing address. It is $99 to $249 a month per county, month to month.
Get a free county sample and quote your first new business through your new markets this week.
This guide summarizes publicly posted information. It is not legal or financial advice, and we are not affiliated with any group listed.
Common questions
What is the difference between an insurance aggregator and a network?
With an aggregator, you place business through the group's carrier contracts and share the commission. A 2020 Insurance Journal feature put the typical aggregator payout at about two-thirds of standard commission, often with a monthly fee. In a network or cluster, members usually keep full control of their accounts, and fees vary by group.
Can a brand-new agency join an aggregator?
Yes. Smart Choice says it works with new agents and its Smart Start program lets agents write personal and commercial business without their own appointments. SIAA has a membership path for start-ups and new agencies, and Agentero says there are no requirements for carrier access.
Do I own my book if I join an aggregator?
It depends on the contract, and most groups don't publish the answer on their main pages. The Big "I" Alliance states that agencies keep ownership of expirations. For any other group, get book ownership and exit terms in writing before you place your first policy.
Is there a Florida-specific option?
The Florida Association of Insurance Agents offers its members market access programs, including the Big "I" Alliance placement center and a flood program that pays member agencies 20% commission on new and renewal business with no volume commitment.
Do aggregators give you leads?
Generally not. They give you markets to quote. Agency Height is an exception among the groups we checked: it routes shopper requests to agents, with its Lead Bank leads exclusive on paid plans. Commercial prospects you find yourself.
Updated October 22, 2026 · By Ben Thalmann, founder of FiledToday