FAQs

Continental Insurance Agency Alliance (CIAA) is an independent insurance agency integrator group. We partner with national and regional carriers to provide independent agents with access to companies and markets which may be otherwise unavailable to insurance agents. In addition, we offer member benefits designed to increase income, enhance agency value and help independent agencies remain independent.

CIAA is a Master Agency affiliated with SIAA – The #1 alliance of independent insurance agencies in the country.

SIAA is a national insurance alliance comprised of Master Agencies throughout the United States. The concept leading to the establishment of SIAA was originally developed in 1983 in New Hampshire. As a result of the tremendous success of the original network, SIAA was created to replicate this “success story” in other states utilizing successful agents in each state to serve as “Master Agencies”.

Master Agencies recruit and support independent insurance agencies (Strategic Agencies) within their market area.

Continental Insurance Agency Alliance covers select counties across Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah.

After recruiting the Strategic Agency, the Master Agency makes available its appointments to major carriers, giving member agents an unparalleled ability to fill the needs of their clients. We also provide local support from our Agency Growth Coaches, management support, marketing, training, and additional income opportunities to the agency.

Insurance aggregators provide market access and aggregate premium, sometimes with additional compensation, but without any support services or tools. Insurance agents join an aggregator to gain access to insurance carriers’ contracts. This relationship tends to be very transactional.

A cluster occurs when a group of agents form either a formal joint venture or a loose affiliation to place their individual books of business as part of a larger book in order to receive higher commissions or profit sharing. Cluster members continue to operate individually.

Continental Insurance Agency Alliance and SIAA are neither aggregators, nor clusters. We started our alliance with an idea to help other agents grow their entire business, helping member agencies become sustainable for the long term. In addition to providing company access and the highest compensation in the industry, our unique business model focuses on providing member agencies with the tools for success. This can include agency access to mentors, the ability to work with our Agency Growth Coaches, marketing support, programs & specialty markets, E&S partnerships, training and education, life & benefits partners, technology partners, and perpetuation planning.

Continental Insurance Agency Alliance (CIAA) does not have a specific profile for member agencies, and we have members of all sizes and experience levels. Many of these members are smaller agencies in need of markets; however, direct writers, life and health, financial service agencies, and producers, without vesting in their book, will all find CIAA membership beneficial.

Are you an:

• Exclusive or direct/captive agent looking to go independent?
• Existing agency owner who needs more carriers and/or wants to increase your business income and value?
• Experienced producer looking to start your own agency?
• Owner of a mature, established agency who’s looking for strategic partnerships?
• Are you concerned about losing direct contracts with your current insurance companies due to thresholds or other market challenges?
• Are you interested in earning additional levels of compensation, for doing the same amount of work?

If you answered yes, then CIAA just might be the perfect fit for you!

Membership benefits go into effect immediately upon joining CIAA. That includes access to training, carrier connections, networking opportunities, and much more.

Our agreement offers for both start-up and existing agencies.

While there is no stated minimum, most startup agencies succeed if the principal has two or more years of experience as a licensed P&C insurance agent.

One-on-one and informed coaching with our Agency Growth Coach will connect you with experienced industry coaches who will get to know you, your agency and your goals in order to create a development plan that will help you reach those goals.

The SIAA training programs include the 6-week Business Insurance Advantage and a 4-week Foundations program. Each are tailored to help teach independent agencies insurance and sales essentials, as well as onboard to SIAA systems. These trainings are free for all SIAA members.

Agency Growth Coaches (AGC) serve as mentors – advising on technology, marketing, accounting, staffing, as well as other small business success processes. This hands-on approach is designed to support the new agency owner through the first 24 months of opening and growing their agency.

AGC’s are a resource for members facing start-up challenges, growing personal and commercial lines, technology adoption and usage, as well as new business and retention strategies.

Yes. We are constantly negotiating higher commissions, bonuses and overrides with our carriers. Several excess compensation arrangements, premium financing and excess & surplus lines overrides are also in effect.

There are two methods. First is through AccessPlus, which allows members access to our top-rated carriers without a direct appointment. Second is through direct company appointments, which CIAA will help you secure.

Not all business fits standard insurance companies. CIAA and SIAA have developed significant relationships with national Excess and Surplus Wholesalers as well as numerous program and specialty market providers. Members can utilize SIAA MarketFinder to quickly identify the appropriate market access. These market access partners provide direct access, enhanced commissions and additional overrides.

Yes, there are several options for perpetuation under the CIAA agreement and in certain circumstances is contractually guaranteed by a formula included in the membership agreement.

Membership does not limit your perpetuation planning. In fact, it simply opens up more opportunities for your consideration.

When you’re a captive agent, if rates change or a client’s circumstances change, you can lose a lot of business.

With CIAA, you get access to different companies. If one company doesn’t want that risk and gives high rates, there’s another company that does want the business. That keeps you competitive wherever you want to do business.

Yes, you are independent, but not alone. You are a Member Agency of our Alliance, but you operate your agency independently. You have your own Business Name and Corporation/LLC. We don’t own your agency, you don’t have ownership in us, it’s not a franchise. That’s a good thing. It is your agency combined with the tools, resources and benefits we bring to help you achieve the greatest success.