Click here to hear from Brightway Co-Founder and CEO, Michael Miller.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. — In a move designed to make insurance agency franchise ownership more attainable, Brightway Insurance unveiled today a path to franchise ownership with no up-front costs or risks and the opportunity to generate immediate profit. Brightway Co-Founder and CEO, Michael Miller, announced the new program during the company’s annual conference for franchisees at the Hilton Bonnet Creek in Orlando, Fla.
The new commission-based agent program, called “Independent Agent,” empowers experienced property/casualty insurance Agents to start selling in the Brightway system while qualifying for franchise ownership.
Once Agents successfully meet sales goals in the Independent Agent program, they qualify for a fully financed, lower-cost entry fee into the company’s new franchise model in which a Brightway location can operate out of a professional office space.
Today, Brightway’s franchise model requires the agency to be located in a retail space where Agency Owners can build large sales teams.
In the new franchise model, agencies operate in a professional office space with teams of up to two people, dramatically reducing up-front and ongoing operating costs while helping the franchisee grow a financial asset.
“By introducing a no-cost, commission-based agent program, coupled with a new, lower-cost franchise option, we are offering attainable paths to agency ownership,” said Miller. “And, our existing franchisees can take advantage of the new franchise model. Our single store owners can grow into Multi-unit enterprises, and current Multi-unit owners can grow even larger, capturing more share across the country.”
Miller added: “I think about these options as opening doors to the Brightway system. Based on your background and goals, you can choose any door you like—Independent Agent or a franchise located either in an office space or a retail location—and grow in the direction you want. The great news is that there are options in the No. 1 franchise system that can help you reach your financial goals, whatever they are.”
“Offering choices is a win for our existing franchisees who want to grow their footprint, test new markets and capture more share. It’s also a win for people who want to get into the Brightway system to build their own business, and it’s a win for consumers across the country as we provide them more choice in insurance companies coupled with local, expert, in-person counsel,” he continued.
Brightway franchisees operate 178 locations in 21 states. Total annualized systemwide written premium is $559 million, representing less than one percent of the available $600 billion Personal Lines property/casualty insurance market in the U.S.
“There is a lot of room to grow; the sky is the limit for Brightway and everyone associated with the company,” said Miller.
Overview of Brightway models:
| | Non-Franchise Option | Franchise Options | | | | | ----------------------------- | -------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------ | | | Independent Agent | Office Agent | Retail Agency | Enterprise Agencies | | | Insurance Experience | Personal Lines Sales | Personal Lines Sales and/or Ownership | None | None | | Initial Fee | $0 | $30,000 | $60,000 | N/a | | Commission Split | 50% new50% renewal | 80% new50% renewal | 85-100% new55% renewal | 85-100% new55% renewal | | Ability to grow an enterprise | No | No | Yes | Yes | | Contract term | 6 months with one renewal option | 5 years with unlimited renewals at no cost | 5 years with unlimited renewals at no cost | 5 years with unlimited renewals at no cost | | Holistic business support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | After-the-sale service | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Staff required | Maximum of 1 | Maximum of 2 | Yes | Yes | | Location | Work from anywhere | Professional location | Retail space | Multiple locations |
Michael Miller answered additional questions about the new models on camera. Click the question below to see the video with his response.
- Why did you introduce the new models?
- Who is the ideal candidate for each model?
- Why do you think the new models will appeal to people?
- What does the office agency location model mean to current retail agencies?
- Why is Brightway a better option than joining a captive organization or going out on your own as an Independent Agent?
- How do Brightway agents perform relative to other Independent Agents?
About Brightway Insurance Brightway Insurance is a national property/casualty insurance distribution company with more than $559 million in annualized written premium, making it one of the largest Personal Lines agencies in the U.S.
Brightway’s focus is on producing win-win-win outcomes for consumers by offering customized insurance solutions and for people wishing to sell insurance by providing business opportunities that span from single Agent to multi-unit enterprises. Regardless of the path taken, Brightway provides the support necessary to consistently outsell other insurance agents.
Brightway got its start in 2008 and has since grown to nearly 900 people in 178 offices across 21 states serving customers in all 50 states.
For more information about Brightway, visit our franchise page.