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Q. What is Accord?
A. The Accord Insurance Network is a unique
membership organization of professional, full-lines Independent Insurance
Agents. We provide major insurance markets and products to small and mid-sized
insurance agencies that would otherwise not have access to these markets due to
production requirements or similar issues; or adequate production to retain
markets. The companies that we represent are our partners; they are involved in
every aspect of our business. We are proud to represent these companies and they
in turn are proud of our professional agent force. We have created a unique and
successful system and companies are attracted to us because of our
professionalism, commitment and transparency.
Q. Is Accord
a cluster or franchise?
A. No. We are in no way a cluster because we don’t
keep any of your commissions nor do we own any of your policies; nor do we
broker any of your policies. We are not a franchise as we want you to maintain
your own identity and we don’t charge outrageous franchise fees. We are fiercely
independent and we encourage that to all of our Member agencies.
Q. Does Accord broker the business that I write?
A. No. Every piece of business that you write is
written and serviced by you. We never touch any of your files.
Q. Does Accord pay me my commissions?
A. No. Your commissions go directly to you from the
carriers. We never touch any of your commissions nor do we keep a percentage of
your profits.
Q. Does Accord split commissions or keep any of my
profits?
A. Again, no. You receive FULL commissions. Many
times at higher levels than your competitors receive as many companies pay our
agents additional commissions or contingencies.
Q. Do you provide direct appointments to the
companies?
A., Yes. As a Member of the Accord Insurance
Network, you will receive DIRECT APPOINTMENTS with most of our partner
companies. They will view you as a member of our large successful team, which
leads to many benefits that smaller agencies may never access on their own.
Q. Does Accord provide products other than property
and auto insurance?
A. YES! Accord has teamed with one of the top
financial planning companies in the country, Faith Financial Planners, to
provide agents with the ability to offer comprehensive financial planning to
their clients. We have developed a system to fit every agent’s needs, from small
to large. This partnership and the ability to fully serve your clients needs
without taking time away from your agency has proven to greatly increase agency
profits. We also offer commercial products, life and health coverage and the
highest-commission flood products.
Q. Does Accord provide or represent any companies or
products outside of the insurance blanket?
A. NO! Accord is dedicated to the Independent
INSURANCE agent and the agency system. We know how to be successful by
concentrating on what we do best, insurance. We do not need to offer or
recommend ancillary products that are often questionable at best nor do we need
to delve into tax preparation or any type of quick fix products
Q. Does everyone qualify to be an Accord Member
Agency?
A. No. We know what type of agent will succeed in
today’s competitive marketplace. We also recognize potential in agents that need
additional tools to succeed. With this in mind, we will not waste anyone’s time
– yours, the carriers or ours, by appointing agents that are not dedicated to
success and professionalism. We have an executive committee that screens every
potential member and we have guidelines that are set by our partner companies
that must be met in order to qualify for membership.
Q. Does every Accord Member get access to every
market?
A. Not every company writes in every state and not
every agent needs every market. However, we do put together a marketing strategy
with every new Member to assist in obtaining appointments with the carriers that
will fit the Member’s client’s needs and help the agency grow. We do obtain
major markets for every Member agency and we will discover what products and
markets your agency needs to move to the next level of success.
Q. I’m a former or current captive agent. My old
company tried to turn me away from being an insurance agent and into an
overnight financial planner. Will this happen with Accord?
A. Never! As you will hear us and all of our Members
repeat over and over, we are dedicated to providing our Members with the best
insurance and products possible. We have however listened to our Members and
realize that many agents need to supplement their commissions to stay
competitive with the captives. That is why we have developed the first
comprehensive Financial Planning System in the country for Independent Agents.
We have may levels of participation for Members, from referrals only, to having
in office financial planners (usually at no or little expense to the agent) to
agents that do so well at lower levels that they pursue and obtain their
securities licenses and earn more than they do through their insurance business.
In any of the above cases, our financial planning system is intended to
complement your agency and make you competitive with the other captives and
mega-agencies that offer full lines service to their clients.
Q. Does Accord provide training and technological
assistance?
A. Yes. Our representatives
work one-on-one with our Members. We also have seminars in each state and at our
corporate headquarters in Oakland Park, FL
on a regular basis. We also provide assistance with all technological issues
that you will face in your agency.
Q. Do I have to change my agency’s name to Accord?
A. No. Again, we stress your independence. We aren’t
here to tell you how to run your business or dilute your identity in your
community. We simply ask that you refer to your agency as a Member of The Accord
Insurance Network.
Q. What’s the catch?
A. There is no catch. We often hear this from agents
and carriers alike when they first hear about us. We only charge one low monthly
fee. But in return, we ask “What do you bring to team Accord and its agent
force?” That means that we expect all Members to be equally dedicated to the
Independent Agent System, to our fellow agents and to the carriers we proudly
represent.
Q. Do you have a company Declaration Statement?
A. Yes. Here it is: Accord
Insurance Network is 100% dedicated to Independent Insurance Agents and the
Independent Agency System. Our success is based on teamwork while still
maintaining our individual identities. Our goal is professionalism and our
strength is in numbers and our relationships. Our vision is long-term. We
ask each affiliate agency for 100% commitment to every market we represent and
to the Independent Agent System.
Q. How do I join?
A. If you realize that your
agency would benefit from being part of a large, highly respected organization
like ours, and you have discovered that the insurance “system” of the big
companies is turning away from small and mid-sized agents, then we invite you to
apply for membership with our team. There is no cost to apply and all
communications are confidential. Simply log onto our web site at
www.accordinsurance.com and
click “Join our team” and fill out the simple application. We will send you
additional information and answer any questions you have. Or call 1 800 949
1977.
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