What does the future hold for independent agencies?

The independent agency channel is evolving more rapidly than ever before. (Photo: Shutterstock)

When I walked into my first insurance carrier meeting ten years ago, you would have thought I was in the wrong place. The average age of the other participants was at least 20 years older myself. Now, when I go to a carrier event or conference, I’m the one with a little grey in his hair, and there are droves of mid-to-late 20-year-olds all over the place. Where were all these people ten years ago? 

The independent agency channel is evolving more rapidly than ever before. Consolidators and private equity firms are expanding into new markets, fresh young talent is filling all sectors of the industry, technology has finally arrived at the agency level, the market is insanely soft and customers expect to save 15% percent in 15 minutes.