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The Independent Roadmap

The Independent Roadmap

por James Roberts & John Scheer

The Truth About Independent Commissions & Contingencies

Are you tired of taking commission "haircuts" while building someone else's book of business? In this episode of The Independent Roadmap, James Roberts and John Scheer tackle the topic that is near and dear to every agent's heart: getting paid. They break down the exact commission structures, average renewal rates, and hidden revenue streams available in the independent insurance space. If you are currently making 2%, 5%, or even 7% on your renewals at a captive carrier, this episode will show you the exact math of how going independent can effectively double your income on the exact same size book of business. In this episode, we cover: Standard Commissions: The standard 10% to 15% (and sometimes up to 25%) ranges for new business and renewals across personal and commercial lines. The Captive vs. Independent Gap: Why the average independent agency with a $1M to $3M book sees an average renewal rate of 12%. Quarterly Bonuses (PMSF): How MIAA and SIAA pay out quarterly bonuses. Year-End Contingencies: Why most standard carriers require a $250,000 premium threshold to qualify for profit sharing, and how joining the alliance bypasses that hurdle so you earn contingencies immediately. Broker Fees: How to leverage E&S business to create an entirely new revenue stream for your agency. Don't just produce—own your legacy. Resources Mentioned: Connect with James Roberts on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-roberts-kc/ Book a direct appointment with James: [Insert Booking Link] Connect with John Scheer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scheer-lincoln/

The First 6 Months of Your Independent Agency (What to Expect)

If you had to sum up the first six months of starting an independent insurance agency in one word, it would be: chaos. In this episode of The Independent Roadmap, James Roberts (who recently launched his own scratch agency) and John Scheer break down exactly what happens on day one after you sign your contract with MIAA and SIAA. From setting up your tech stack to securing direct carrier appointments, they walk you through the onboarding blueprint designed to get you writing business immediately. In this episode, we cover: The Support Team: How your assigned Onboarding Specialist and Agency Growth Coach guide you through the initial transition and help you execute your business plan. Tech & Quoting: Getting connected to SIAA Connect, the EZLynx Rater, and using the Access Plus team to quote and bind personal and commercial lines from your very first day. Agency Management: Why setting up your AMS (like Nexsure) and Ivan's download is critical for keeping track of your growing book of business. Training & Marketing: How the Agency Foundation and Business Insurance Advantage (BIA) courses fast-track your success and help establish your marketing plan. Carrier Appointments: The real timeline (4 to 8 weeks) for securing direct carrier appointments and how MIAA advocates on your behalf with territory reps. Don't just produce—own your legacy. Resources Mentioned: Connect with James Roberts on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-roberts-kc/ Connect with John Scheer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scheer-lincoln/ Attend the next SIAA Informational Session: https://www.siaa.com/introduction-to-siaa-webinar/

The Real Cost of Starting an Independent Insurance Agency

You know how to start an agency, but how much does it actually cost? In Episode 6 of The Independent Roadmap, James Roberts and John Scheer break down the exact financial blueprint for starting a scratch independent insurance agency. From your initial state licensing to the required tech stack, they leave no stone unturned so you know exactly what capital you need to get off the ground. If you are a captive agent or producer trying to calculate your runway, this episode gives you the exact dollar amounts you need to budget for your first year. In this episode, we break down the costs for: Business Structure & Licensing: The real fees for LLCs ($100-$250) and resident/non-resident agency licenses. Required Insurance: What you should budget for a solid Errors & Omissions (E&O) policy ($1,400-$1,800) and standalone Cyber coverage ($550-$800). The Tech Stack: Monthly breakdowns for your Rater (EZLynx, PL Rater), Agency Management System (AMS), and CRM (AgencyZoom). Branding: Why you can't afford a Hotmail email address, and the cost of basic websites and domains. Lead Generation: Where to find leads when the "mothership" stops feeding them to you—ranging from BNI memberships to free, old-school door knocking. Don't just produce—own your legacy. Resources Mentioned: Connect with James Roberts on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-roberts-kc/ Connect with John Scheer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scheer-lincoln/

The Ultimate Checklist for Starting an Independent Insurance Agency

You have the drive and the vision, but how do you actually start an independent insurance agency? In Episode 5 of The Independent Roadmap, James Roberts pulls from his own recent experience of starting an agency to give you the exact, step-by-step administrative checklist you need to get your business off the ground. Going from a captive agent or producer to a true business owner can feel overwhelming, but this episode breaks the process down into actionable steps. In this episode, we cover: Naming & Structure: How to lock in your name, check Secretary of State availability, and the importance of DBAs and LLCs. Licensing & Documentation: Why getting your EIN immediately is crucial, and how to properly align your agency license with your home state's Department of Insurance. E&O and Cyber Insurance: The hidden nuances of Errors & Omissions coverage (like defense inside vs. outside limits) and why a standalone cyber policy is non-negotiable. Banking Setup: Why you absolutely need both an Operating Account and a Premium Trust Account to avoid co-mingling funds. Carrier Contracts: The final, most exciting step—and why going it alone is getting harder in the current market. If you are ready to stop building someone else's legacy and start building your own, this is the blueprint. Resources Mentioned: Connect with James Roberts on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-roberts-kc/ Connect with John Scheer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scheer-lincoln/ Attend the next SIAA Informational Session: https://www.siaa.com/introduction-to-siaa-webinar/

Unlocking SIAA ($18.1 Billion in Premium & Direct Carrier Appointments)

What happens when you combine the premium of over 5,200 independent insurance agencies? You get $18.1 billion in negotiating power. In Episode 4 of The Independent Roadmap, James Roberts and John Scheer dive into the history and massive scale of SIAA (the parent network of MIAA). Originating in the 1980s to combat carriers slashing commissions, SIAA has grown into the number one aggregator in the United States. But scale is only half the story. James and John break down exactly how SIAA leverages this size to provide members with cutting-edge, proprietary technology and unparalleled market access. In this episode, we cover: The SIAA Origin Story: How the network was built to protect independent agencies from carrier commission cuts. Proprietary AI (Agency IQ): Why SIAA completely bought out an AI company rather than just renting software, giving members a tech platform driven entirely by their own needs. Vetted Tech Stacks: How you get access to the largest software discounts in the industry for tools that have actually been tested by thousands of members. Market Access & Direct Appointments: Why you own and control your carrier relationships from day one, plus how to leverage the in-house MGA (Exchange) and access over 200 Life & Health carriers via Crump. Don't just produce—own your legacy. Resources Mentioned: Connect with James Roberts on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-roberts-kc/ Connect with John Scheer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scheer-lincoln/ Attend the next SIAA Informational Session: https://www.siaa.com/introduction-to-siaa-webinar/

What is MIAA? (And How We Doubled Contingency Bonuses in 2025)

You hear the acronyms all the time, but what exactly is MIAA, and how does it actually help you grow your book of business? In Episode 3 of The Independent Roadmap, hosts James Roberts and John Scheer pull back the curtain on the Midwest Insurance Agency Alliance (MIAA). Since 2001, MIAA has grown into the largest master agency of SIAA, supporting over 220 members and writing more than $600 million in premium. But it’s not just about size—it’s about structure. James and John break down the exact support system you get from day one, and reveal the massive financial wins MIAA members experienced in 2025. In this episode, we cover: The Support System: Why you get an assigned "Onboarder" for your first 90 days out of the captive world, plus "Agency Growth Coaches" in the trenches with you daily. The Tech Advantage: How MIAA acquired an AI company to build proprietary tech that helps members scale their largest assets. The 2025 Financial Win: How MIAA doubled year-end contingency bonuses from $3 million to over $6 million—and why they are contractually obligated to share that money directly with you. If you are ready to stop building someone else's legacy and start building your own, this is the blueprint. Resources Mentioned: Connect with James Roberts on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-roberts-kc/ Connect with John Scheer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scheer-lincoln/ Attend the next SIAA Informational Session: https://www.siaa.com/introduction-to-siaa-webinar/ Don't just produce—own your legacy.

Q1 2026 Carrier Updates (What You Need to Know)

As we close out the first quarter of 2026, are we still in a hard market, or are things beginning to soften? In this episode of The Independent Roadmap, co-hosts James Roberts and John Scheer share exclusive insights from their recent meetings with national partner carriers. Whether you are focused on personal or commercial lines, understanding carrier appetite is critical to growing your book of business this year. In this episode, we cover: Personal Lines: Why "profitability" is the buzzword for 2026, how carriers are navigating recent Midwest wildfires, and why we are finally seeing expanded guidelines for roof ages (up to 15-20 years in the Midwest!). Commercial Lines: The return of Habitational (HAB) products to standard carriers from the E&S space, the extremely soft Workers' Comp market, and expanding property appetites. Industry News: Updates on Liberty Mutual taking on State Auto products and Safeco rebranding. If you want to stay ahead of the curve and maximize your market access, this episode is a must-listen. Resources Mentioned: Connect with James Roberts on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-roberts-kc/ Connect with John Scheer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scheer-lincoln/ Attend the next SIAA Informational Session: https://www.siaa.com/introduction-to-siaa-webinar/ Don't just produce—own your legacy.

Welcome to The Independent Roadmap (Meet Your Hosts)

Are you tired of building someone else's book of business? Welcome to The Independent Roadmap, the podcast dedicated to helping you navigate the modern landscape of the independent insurance agency channel. In our debut episode, co-hosts James Roberts and John Scheer (Regional Vice Presidents at MIAA and SIAA) introduce themselves and the core mission of the show. With decades of combined experience in agency recruiting, commercial producing, and claims, James and John break down why there has never been a better time to transition to the independent side. In this episode, we cover: Who we are and the territories we serve within MIAA/SIAA. Why building your own independent agency is the ultimate path to creating a lasting legacy and generational wealth. What to expect in future episodes: from surviving your first year to buying an agency, growing revenue, and perpetuation planning. We want to hear from you! Connect with us on LinkedIn and let us know what challenges you are facing in the insurance space right now. Resources Mentioned: Connect with James Roberts on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-roberts-kc/ Connect with John Scheer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scheer-lincoln/ Attend the next SIAA Informational Session: https://www.siaa.com/introduction-to-siaa-webinar/ Don't just produce—own your legacy.

The Future of E&S Insurance (with DJ Postles, CUO of SIAA Xchange)

The Excess and Surplus (E&S) market is no longer the exception—it is the core competency you need to grow your independent agency. In Episode 7 of The Independent Roadmap, James is joined by DJ Postles, the Chief Underwriting Officer at SIAA Xchange. With over 25 years of underwriting and distribution leadership experience, DJ breaks down exactly why the E&S market has experienced double-digit growth and how small independent agents can leverage it to win complex accounts. In this episode, we cover: The E&S Boom: Why E&S now comprises 12% of the entire US P&C insurance market and why it's not slowing down. The AI Advantage: How SIAA Xchange is using AI for smart routing to get your submissions to the top of the underwriter's stack. Parametric Insurance: A breakdown of this emerging product and how you can use it to supplement natural catastrophe risks. Lloyd's of London: What SIAA Xchange's new cover holder status means for member agencies and market access. The Future of the Independent Agent: Why the agent is far from dead, and how to transition from a "seller of insurance" to a true risk advisor. Don't just produce—own your legacy. Resources Mentioned: SIAA Xchange: https://siaaxchange.com Learn more about Lloyd's of London: https://www.lloyds.com Connect with DJ Postles on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/djpostles Connect with James Roberts on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-roberts-kc/