ILLINOIS
IMS-Illinois Participating Carriers
Access to IMS is available at no charge to IIA members.
Appointments are based on mutually beneficial and profitable relationships, and no appointments are guaranteed.
Personal Lines
Branch, Foremost Signature Home & Auto, JIBNA, Progressive, Travelers
Commercial Lines
Attune, CNA Surety, Coterie, Progressive, RMS Hospitality, SynchronoSure, UFG Insurance
Returning agent?
If you have previously submitted an application and want to request a sub-appointment for a new or additional carrier, please email Jean Bloszinsky.
Agency appointments are not guaranteed. Annual New Business production commitment is required for consideration. Agency is responsible for all producer licensing fees.
Business Owners Policy – BOP+
The BOP+ is written with Accredited Surety and Casualty Company Inc. in all states except NY, In NY it is written with Blackboard Insurance Company.
Workers' Compensation
Workers Compensation is written with Employers Insurance Company.
Excess Liability
Excess Liability is written with Core Specialty
Flood Insurance
Flood Insurance is written with Neptune. Neptune’s products are offered with the financial security of Lloyd’s of London, Indian Harbor Insurance Company, or Transverse Specialty Insurance Company.
Cyber Liability Insurance
Cyber Liability is written with Coalition Inc. Coalition’s products are offered with the financial security of Allianz Group, Arch Specialty Insurance Company, Lloyd’s of London, Chaucer Insurance Company DAC, or Vantage Risk Specialty Insurance Company
General Liability and Professional Liability
General Liability and Professional Liability (E&O) is written with Hiscox
BOP+ Non-Cat States 15% new business and 12.5% renewal
BOP+ Cat States FL, TX, NC, MS 12.5% New / 10% Renewal
Excess Liability 12.5% new business and 12.5% renewal
WC 12% new business and 10% renewal
Neptune Flood 10% new business and 8% renewal
Hiscox GL and PL 15% new and 12.5% renewal
Cyber 15% new and 15% renewal
Commissions paid by Carrier
All lines of business noted above are available in the state of Illinois
The Attune agency agreement is between Independent Market Solutions (IMS) and the carrier. When you agree to and e-sign the subproducer agreement during this application process, you also agree to the instructions, guidelines, policies, and procedures contained in the agency agreement.
Personal Lines - Auto (renters as an endorsement on auto), Home (umbrella as an endorsement on the home)
Auto & Home Bundle: 15% - New; 13% - Renewal
Monoline Home or Auto 1: 13% - New; 11% - Renewal
Monoline Renters 2: 13% - New; 11% - Renewal
Auto & Renters Bundle 3: 13% - New; 11% - Renewal
Branch has temporarily suspended partnering with new agents in Illinois.
The Branch agency agreement is between Independent Market Solutions (IMS) and the carrier. When you agree to and e-sign the subproducer agreement during this application process, you also agree to the instructions, guidelines, policies, and procedures contained in the agency agreement.
The commercial surety market includes numerous types of bonds categorized as court judicial, court fiduciary, public official, license and permit, and many miscellaneous bonds that include guarantees of financial performance. CNA Surety companies also write fidelity bonds, which cover losses arising from employee dishonesty and errors & omissions liability insurance. Contract bonds guarantee the performance of obligations covered by a written agreement between two parties. The most common types include bid, performance, and payment bonds.
CNA Surety understands the needs of its customers and has built itself to be responsive, flexible, and focused on satisfying the unique requirements of each one of its customers. We can provide custom-tailored surety solutions to virtually all segments of the market, regardless of size or circumstance. This explains our continued success and validates our potential for growth.
For each bond that we write, our insurance producer is paid a commission that is based upon a percentage of the bond premium. That percentage varies based upon a number of factors some of which are: the type of bond, state of the bond obligation, and contractual arrangements with producers. We offer our producers a competitive commission package to complement our outstanding service capabilities. A schedule of commissions will be provided during the appointment process.
Commissions paid by Independent Market Solutions
CNA Surety provides a full range of surety and fidelity bonds in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. CNA Surety has the capacity, experience, and dedication to serve a full range of bonding needs, from the smallest commercial bonds to multi-million dollar contract bonds.
The Agency agreement is between CNA Surety and Independent Market Solutions (IMS). When you agree to and e-sign the IMS sub-producer agreement, you also agree to all of the terms and conditions contained within the CNA Agency agreement, which will be provided during the appointment process.
Business Owners Policy (BOP), General Liability (GL), Professional Liability (PL)
The Data Behind SimplyBind Experience (video)
Coterie Insurance brings you the SimplyBind Experience (video)
TOP 100 Business Classes Where Coterie writes 100% Businesses
For BOP/GL/PL: 15% new and renewal
For WC: 12% new and renewal
Commissions paid by Independent Market Solutions
BOP/GL/PL is available in all states
The Coterie agency agreement is between Independent Market Solutions (IMS) and the carrier. When you agree to and e-sign the subproducer agreement during this application process, you also agree to the instructions, guidelines, policies, and procedures contained in the agency agreement.
Foremost SignatureSM: Standard and Preferred Home & Automobile, Condominium Unit Owner, Personal Excess Liability Policy, Renters
Commissions ranging from 8% to 15% based on line of business.
Commissions paid by Independent Market Solutions
Foremost has temporarily suspended partnering with new agents in the state.
Foremost Signature Auto & Home agency agreement is between Independent Market Solutions (IMS) and the carrier. When you e-sign the sub-producer agreement during the application process, you also agree to the instructions, guidelines, policies, and procedures contained in the agency agreement. The contract will be provided after the appointment is approved by Foremost.
Personal Jewelry
20% on new business (fully complete submissions)
10% on renewals and endorsements
Commissions paid by Carrier
Available in all states and DC (approved but currently not writing in Kentucky)
Individual item limit $500,000; Schedules $2.5 million (higher limits available)
Minimum premium $50 (Worldwide coverage)
No blanket coverage
Special perils (All Risk) coverage including mysterious disappearance
No-deductible standard coverage (100/250/500/1000 available)
Exposure rated
Older appraisals (typed) acceptable
The JIBNA (Jewelry Insurance Brokerage of North America) agency agreement is between
Independent Market Solutions (IMS) and JIBNA. When you agree to and e-sign the sub-
producer agreement during this application process, you also agree to the instructions,
guidelines, policies and procedures contained in the agency agreement
Commercial and Personal Auto, Renters, Motorcycle, Boat and Recreational Vehicles
Personal Auto w/ proof of prior auto ins, no lapse in coverage and HO NEW: 12%
Personal Auto w/ proof of prior auto ins, no lapse in coverage and HO REN: 8%
Personal Auto w/ proof of prior auto ins, no lapse in coverage and No HO NEW: 10%
Personal Auto w/ proof of prior auto ins, no lapse in coverage and No HO REN: 8%
Personal Auto w/ No proof of prior auto ins and No HO NEW: 8%
Personal Auto w/ No proof of prior auto ins and No HO REN: 6%
Motorcycle NEW: 13%
Motorcycle REN: 8%
Boat NEW: 8%
Boat REN: 8%
Recreational Vehicle NEW: 8%
Recreational Vehicle REN: 8%
Commercial Auto NEW: 8%
Commercial Auto REN: 8%
Commissions paid by Independent Market Solutions
Agents must write two policies per month.
Must be in good standing with Progressive
Must not have been previously terminated by Progressive
Applicant must operate and maintain a storefront or retail location for their operation
Agency must maintain both and agency license and a producer license
Please email marketing@imsaccess.com for a copy of the agreement.
General Liability, Liquor Liability & Assault & Battery for Hospitality Risks are written with Clear Blue Specialty and United National Group. Franchise Food General Liability and Property plus WC are written with Crum & Forster Specialty Insurance.
Clear Blue Specialty General Liability 10% new and 10% renewal.
United National General Liability 10% new and 10% renewal.
Crum & Forster General Liability, Property and WC 10% new business and 10% renewal.
Commissions paid by Carrier
General Liability, Liquor Liability & Assault & Battery for Hospitality Risks is available in all states except for VT and the District of Columbia DC. The Franchise Food package is written in all 50 states.
The RMS HG agency agreement is between Independent Market Solutions (IMS) and RMS Hospitality Group. When you agree to and e-sign the sub producer agreement during this application process, you also agree to the instructions, guidelines, policies, and procedures contained in the agency agreement. Note some programs and Excess and Surplus Lines.
Workers Compensation (learn more) – This coverage helps protect businesses for injuries to workers that arise from their employment and from wages that are lost due to those injuries. We have over 900 available governing class codes representing most of the classes associated with hazard grades A – F, and 15 classes within hazard G. Maximum unmodified manual premium is $35,000. Maximum experience mod is 1.35. Business we are actively writing includes small contractors, hospitality, light manufacturing, and agricultural risks (no trees or animals bigger than we are). We are not presently entertaining transportation, healthcare, Federal Act risks. The average bound premium to date is about $6000 per policy. The insurer is Sutton National, rated A- VIII by AM Best.
Follow Form Excess Liability (learn more) – This policy provides coverage above the limits of the scheduled underlying coverage. It offers no broader protection than that provided by the underlying policy. We have more than 550 available class codes. Limits capacity is $5 million, and we are attaching typically excess of primary $1 million or excess of $5 million excess of primary $1 million. Coverage is offered on a follow form excess liability basis, and we can sit over GL and Auto liability, but will not do auto by itself. We are actively quoting coverage within both residential and commercial contracting codes, hospitality including both restaurants and hotel/motel risks excess of $1 million primary insurance or $5 million excess of $5 million excess of Primary insurance. In addition, we are actively quoting habitational exposures excess of $6 million minimum attachment point. The average bound premium to date is $9,000. The maximum policy premium we entertain in our layer is $35,000. The carrier for this product is Sutton Specialty, rated A- VIII by AM Best.
General Liability (learn more) – This is a monoline general liability market currently focusing on trucker general liability. This liability coverage provides protection for premises and operations liability, and products/completed operations liability. We are expanding the GL program to 155 other class codes (targeting “live” at 11/15/2022). The maximum premium per policy will be limited to $35,000. The product is built around the ISO GL product language. The carrier for this product is Sutton Specialty, rated A- VIII by AM Best.
GigBOP® (learn more) – A package insurance for the gig workers, contractors, freelancers, and one-person bands. This coverage includes Business Personal Property, Business Liability, and Miscellaneous Professional Liability, uniquely crafted to meet the needs of modern small businesses. Currently supports 78 eligible class codes, soon to expand to 183 (11/1/2022 target to go “live”) as well as reducing the minimum policy premium to $500 and introducing a “starter” limit at $100,000 for a minimum policy premium of $350. We are actively quoting management consultants, bookkeepers, and building and home inspectors. The product includes business personal property with limits to $250,000, liability up to $ 1million and miscellaneous professional liability to $1 million. The carrier for this product is Sutton Specialty, rated A- VIII by AM Best.
For Big I agency members in good standing: 12.5% new business and 10% renewal.
Commissions paid by Carrier
- Workers Compensation – Currently available in 17 states: AL, FL, GA, IL, NC, TN, TX, and WI. Soon expanding to KY, MD and PA. (IMS is not currently licensed in AR, IA, IN, KS, MO, MS, OK, SC, & VA)
- Follow Form Excess Liability - Currently active nationwide (please check with IMS for licensing status outside of IL) on an E&S basis.
- Truckers General Liability - Currently available in 37 states on an E&S basis: AL, CA, CT, FL, GA, IL, KY, LA, NC, SC, TN, TX, and WI. (IMS is not currently licensed in AK, AR, AZ, CO, HI, IA, ID, IN, KS, MN, MO, MS, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, UT, WA, WV, and WY if you have significant opportunities in any of these states please let us know)
- GigBOP® - Currently active nationwide (please check with IMS for licensing status outside of IL) on an E&S basis.
The SynchronoSure® agency agreement is between the individual signing agency or brokerage firm and SynchronoSure®. When you agree to and e-sign the agreement during this application process, you also agree to the instructions, guidelines, policies, and procedures contained in the agency agreement.
Please Read If Considering SynchronoSure:
Producer Sign-up for SynchronoSure must be completed by clicking this link https://synchronosure.com/producer-registration/
(Personal Lines Only) Automobile, Homeowners, Dwelling Fire, Specialty Lines
Auto – up to 10% New and Renewal
Home – up to 13% New and Renewal
Specialty Lines – Varies depending on product. Available upon Request
Commissions paid by Independent Market Solutions
Agency is operational for a minimum of 3 years.
Agency must operate and maintain a retail location for their operation
Size of agency staff 3+
Agency preferably has and follows a formal written business plan
Automation is in place. Agency management system as well as a comparative rater.
Agency has a personal lines focus, with a strong quote flow, and an appetite to grow their agencies preferred auto and umbrella insurance.
Minimum new business expectation is 2-3 preferred auto/umbrella sales a month with Travelers.
Profitable with current carriers
Agency committed to using Travelers Customer Care Center(CCC) Program
The Travelers agency agreement is between Independent Market Solutions (IMS) and the carrier. When you agree to and e-sign the subproducer agreement during this application process, you also agree to the instructions, guidelines, policies, and procedures contained in the agency agreement. Contract will be provided after appointment approved by Travelers.
Meet BOP-Pro, a simple solution to a businessowners policy that features more than 35 property and liability coverages as well as commercial auto, workers compensation, cyber and umbrella supporting lines.
Eligible Classes:
Retail and Service: Up to $10M in gross sales and 35,000 sf
Offices: Up to $10M in gross sales and 100,000 sf
Contractors: Up to $6M in gross sales and no more than 25% subcontracted
Distributors: Up to $10M in gross sales and 50,000 sf
Convenience Stores: Up to $10M in gross sales, 24 hour operations are not eligible
Restaurants: Up to $6M in gross sales and 7,500 sf
General risk characteristic requirements:
Up to $25,000 in premium
No more than 10 auto units
Buildings built within the last 35 years or have had qualifying updates (when including property coverage)
No more than $7M in combined property values
Learn more about BOP-Pro available classes at https://www.ufginsurance.com/online/appetite
BOP: 18% new and 13% renewal
Auto: 10.5% - must be written with a BOP-Pro policy
WC: 3% - 8% - must be written with a BOP-Pro policy
Commissions paid by Independent Market Solutions
BOP and supporting lines are available for eligible BOP-Pro risks — commercial auto, workers compensation, cyber and umbrella coverages. Risks that are not eligible for BOP-Pro are not eligible for any of the supporting lines.
Qualifying agents must demonstrate:
Established books of business with three-year profitable loss runs
Minimum of five new business quotes completed per month
Minimum of two years of agency ownership experience
Ability to quote all business through UFG Insurance online quoting platform
Applicant must operate and maintain a storefront or retail location for their operation
The Agency agreement is between United Fire Group and Independent Market Solutions (IMS). When you agree to and e-sign the IMS sub-producer agreement, you also agree to all of the terms and conditions contained within the United Fire Group agreement, which will be provided during the appointment process.
APPLY FOR MARKET ACCESS
Independent Market Solutions facilitates relationships between agents who are unable to secure company appointments due to any number of reasons, and carriers with an appetite for writing coverage.