AGENCY MEMBERSHIP
Membership for Independent Insurance Agencies
Big I Maryland is committed to helping independent agencies success in today's ever-changing insurance industry. We are proud to serve as the unrelenting advocate and business partner for independent insurance agencies across Maryland. We help connect you to a community of insurance professionals and a suite of top tier products and services that will allow you to focus on what is important - your agency.
Membership Eligibility
- Actively engaged in the American Agency System. The American Agency System is defined as a system that allows independent insurance agents to locate and sell policies from a large pool of companies.
- Have one or more Maryland resident licensed agents in the office.
- Have the legal ability to represent more than one insurance company.
- Has ownership of agency accounts and policy expirations by contract with insurance companies.
- Operating on a commission and/or fee basis on his/her own account.
Membership Dues FY23/24Big I Maryland membership dues are based on your agency's property & casualty premium volume written in Maryland. The premium volume must include all owned (greater than 50%) subsidiaries and branches. The Big I Maryland membership dues cycle runs September 1-August 31. Please refer to the dues chart below for dues information: First year agency membership dues: $400 (Must be a new member. If you have been a member within the past five years, you are not eligible. Each year after is based off premium volume.)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: | First year agency membership dues: $400
BRANCH FEE: $100 charge for each additional office location in MD. Non-Deductible Portion of Dues: Dues to Big I Maryland are not deductible as a charitable contribution but may be deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense. A portion of the dues, however, is not deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense to the extent that Big I Maryland engages in lobbying. Please contact the association to get the estimated non-deductible portion for 2022-2023 is 29.35%. |
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Questions? Our team is here to help you with any questions you may have during the application process or once you have joined the association. Contact our Membership Department at membership@bigimd.com or (410)-766-0600 for assistance.
Explore Some of the Benefits of Membership
Insurance for Your Agency
As a member of Big I MD, you have access to exclusive 'member only' insurance products such as E&O, Cyber, EPLi, and Agent's Commercial Umbrella.
| Insurance Products for Your ClientsGet market access via 'Big I Markets' (BIM). With BIM, you have access to markets such as cyber (Coalition), Affluent Program, Small Commercial, Auto & Home Standard Markets, Non-Standard Markets, Umbrella & Home Business, Habitational, Bonds, Flood, and more. Visit www.BigIMarkets.com for more information! You will also get access to RLI where you will have the ability to quote your clients a stand-alone Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP) or a Home Business Insurance (HBI) policy. | Contract ReviewsDo you have a new company agreement that you are not sure about? The national Big I Office of General Counsel will review your agency-company agreement by request and submit feedback. This is, of course, if it is not already on the extensive list of contracts already reviewed by the Big I and available to you (there are over 100 carriers currently on the list of reviewed contracts). As a Big I MD member, you also get access to the 'Guide to Agency-Company Appointment Contracts - Key Considerations and Sample Provisions'. |
BrandingYour membership gives you access to the Trusted Choice logo which you can use in your marketing. This allows you to leverage the national recognition and reputation of the brand and also helps expand the brand’s reach. Trusted Choice also offers a Marketing Reimbursement Program to help agencies offset the cost of various marketing activities. Join today to become a Trusted Choice Independent Insurance Agent! | MarketingFREE access to marketing resources! Thanks to Trusted Choice, Big I MD members have access to marketing resources that include graphics, videos, articles, and entire marketing campaigns to share on social media. They even provide a social media calendar! All can be customized for your agency. Not sure if your website/social media is up to par? No worries! As a member of Big I MD, you have access to a FREE Trusted Choice Digital Review. This detailed report will analyze your website and social media channels. | AdvocacyThe Big "I" has your back both on the state and national level when it comes to the issues facing our industry! It doesn't get much better than our Big "I" Government Affairs team who have been named to the list of "Top D.C. Lobbyist" several times. |
Recruiting Tools | Agency Valuation & PerpetuationHaving a perpetuation plan for your agency is one of the most important investments you can make in your agency. It will protect you, your customers, your staff as well as your family. It is critically important for all agencies to document their plan, regardless of where they are in their agency lifecycle. That's why we have partnered with Agency Focus to help our members build the plan that is right for them. | TechnologyCheck out the newest Big I MD member benefit....Catalyit! All the agency tech guidance you need in one place. Free tech assessments, tech stack surveys, product guides and reviews, and more. This benefit is completely FREE for all Big I MD members. |
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| @ 2023 Independent Insurance Agents of Maryland, Inc |
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