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About AHA

Our Mission

Agents Helping Agents is a Master Agency within the nationwide insurance agent’s network known as SIAA (Strategic Independent Agents Alliance). The mission of AHA is to help create, retain and grow independent agents in the States of Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee.

History

The Master Agency, now known as Agents Helping Agents, signed on with SIAA in December of 1997. At that time, the organization went under the name of American Advantage Agency Alliance (AAAA). The “by-line” of the organization was “agents helping agents” and it became so synonymous with the focus of the organization, that the name was officially changed to Agents Helping Agents, Inc. in 2001.

From the beginning, the SMA (Strategic Member Alliance) was built on utilizing the best talent of the Partnership Agency, Hyland, Block & Hyland, Inc. A team was developed from the existing “talent pool” at HBH to build and develop the master agency so that it “passed through” to the master agency the complete talent and resources of the partnership agency. The “Development Team” consists of a Personal Lines Specialist; a Commercial Lines Specialist; an Automation/Systems Specialist; and an Administrative/Accounting Specialist. The design of the “team” was to provide support in every area of agency development and provide a true “back office” for each member of the network. This approach has worked well, and the team remains intact within the current AHA operational framework. Although everyone shared time in the early days of the network, AHA now has 4 full-time employees that constitute the Development Team.

Tim Hyland, the agency principal of HBH, has served as the “recruiter” for AHA since its inception in 1998. The first ISM (Independent Strategic Member) was signed in May of 1998 and the network now has 73 members that cover a territory that encompasses three different states—Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee. The network began in the initial territory of Central Kentucky. Several years later, an additional territory was purchased in Southern Indiana, and in 2005, two additional territories in Western Kentucky and Western Tennessee were added to the overall AHA territory.

As AHA has grown and matured, it has focused on working from the “inside out” with its members to help them “maximize” their efforts. In particular, it works to identify “income opportunities” through book rolls and the purchase of other agencies by AHA members. The bonus and override income within the network has grown each year with a peak of $1,300,000 being reached in 2007 and $1,000,000 in 2008.

The current AHA network goal is to have 100 members; $160 million in written premium volume; and $1.8 million in bonus “opportunity income” by 2012.

SIAA & The Master Agency Concept

The “master agency” concept was originally developed in 1983 by the Satellite Agency Network Group (SAN). The idea was to help smaller independent agencies compete with any agency of any size.

Because the concept proved to be very successful, the model was replicated in 1995 by SIAA (Strategic Independent Agents Alliance). The national alliance of independent insurance agents now includes over 2,800 independent member agencies and writes more than $5.3 billion in profitable premium. SIAA is the largest and most successful agents’ network in the US.

AHA became an SIAA Master Agency in December of 1997 and has experienced the fastest growth among all SIAA Master Agents, comprised of 70 member agencies.

Current Members

Greater Louisville

Central / Western Kentucky

Northern Kentucky

Southern Indiana

  • Affordable Choice Insurance Agency, Inc.
  • Citizens Insurance Services
  • Choice Insurance Agency, LLC
  • Goodman Insurance
  • Harpenau Insurance
  • Harvey Sarles Agency
  • Kennard Insurance Agency, LLC
  • Ken Allender Insurance
  • Kleinschmidt Insurance
  • Kloppenburg Insurance
  • Meeks Insurance
  • Ordner Insurance Services
  • Reedy Insurance Services
  • RLS Insurance
  • Schatz Insurance, Inc.
  • Sievers Insurance & Financial Services
  • Taggart Insurance
  • Watson Insurance

Northern Tennessee

Major Carriers

Ohio Casualty/Indiana/Montgomery

These carriers are owned by Liberty Mutual, and are collectively called the Liberty Agency Markets Companies. Ohio Casualty operates in the state of Kentucky; Indiana Insurance in the state of Indiana; and Montgomery Insurance in the state of Tennessee.

  • Types: Personal and Commercial Lines
  • Volume: $10,500,000
  • Personal Lines Package (PLP)
  • Highly Competitive; Commission 17% Home; 15% Auto (New & Renewal)
  • Commercial Lines; Multi-line & highly competitive; especially good on school systems
  • Significant bonus money available (National & Local levels)

Encompass

  • Types: Personal Lines
  • Volume: $3,800,000
  • Strong Personal Lines Package Policy (USP)
  • Commissions 15% Home; 15% Auto (new & renewal)

Hartford Insurance

  • Types: Personal & Commercial
  • Volume: $3,000,000
  • Competitive Monoline Auto & Homeowners
  • Contingency & growth bonuses (National & Local)
  • Large & National capabilities make them a desirable company
  • Current commissions Auto 20/18%; Home 15/14% (15% on Monoline Workers Comp)
  • Small business internet rating available

Safeco Personal Lines & Commercial

  • Types: Personal Lines; Auto, Motorcycle & Commercial Lines
  • Volume: $2,000,000
  • Multi-tiered personal lines auto program; nonstandard to preferred
  • Web based quote & issue for Personal Lines & Commercial Lines
  • Local & National bonus opportunities

Travelers Personal Lines

  • Types: Personal Lines
  • Volume: $5,500,000
  • Competitive auto & home rates
  • Commissions: 20% Home; 15% Auto
  • Quarterly Growth & Annual Contingency opportunities

Travelers Commercial Lines

  • Types: Commercial Lines
  • Volume: $1,000,000
  • In house rate, quote & issue
  • Annual Contingency opportunity
  • Commissions: 15% Home; 15% Auto

Zurich

  • Types: Small Commercial Quotes and Builders Risk
  • Volume: $1,500,000
  • In house quote and issue
  • Annual Contingency opportunity

Acuity Insurance

  • Types: Commercial Lines (Personal Lines in Indiana only)
  • Volume: $2,100,000
  • Excellent Contractors Market
  • Annual Contingency opportunity

Secura Insurance

  • Types: Commercial Lines
  • Volume: $700,000
  • Excellent Regional Carrier
  • Annual Contingency opportunity

Hanover Insurance

  • Types: Commercial & Personal in Indiana and Tennessee
  • Volume: $500,000
  • *Annual Contingency opportunity
  • Other Market Access:
  • Bristol West
  • Deerbrook
  • Mendota

State Auto

  • Types: Personal & Commerical Insurance
  • Volume: $3,000,000
  • Commissions of 15-20%

Awards

  • Travelers “Agent of the Year” 2005
  • Travelers “Elite Agency” Designation 2006
  • Hartford “VIP” Designation 2006
  • Encompass “Agency of the Year” 2003 & 2004
  • Indiana Insurance “President’s Award” 2000
  • SIAA “Top Performer” 2002 through 2008
  • Travelers TLC Agent 2003 through 2007

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Agents Helping Agents?

AHA is a Master Agency affiliated with the Strategic Insurance Agency Alliance (SIAA).

What is a Master Agency?

AHA is a “Master Agency” within the national insurance network known as SIAA. The concept which serves as the foundation for the SIAA Network, was started in 1982 by an independent agent in New Hampshire, Jim Masiello. Jim created the original agents’ network known as the SAN Group. In 1995, SIAA was formed to set up other “Master Agents” around the country to develop the same network concept. In December of 1997, AHA became the “Master Agency” for the territory that now encompasses Central and Western Kentucky, Southern Indiana, and Northwestern Tennessee.

What are the responsibilities of the Master Agency?

After recruiting the Strategic Independent Agency, the Master Agency makes available its appointments to major carriers. It also provides support and mentoring for the Strategic Independent member in all areas of agency development.

What major carriers are available though AHA?

Major carriers presently participating include Harford, Ohio Casualty, Montgomery, Indiana Insurance, Travelers, State Auto, Kemper, Encompass and more. A complete list of available markets, products, and services is available and located under Market Coverage.

Why was AHA created and affiliated with the SIAA?

AHA was created to help the independent agency achieve the appointments and clout that have become necessary for their survival. This alliance provides that clout through the aggregating of premium volume, as well as providing a built-in “mentorship” for the smaller agency to help in keeping up with the changing technology within the insurance industry.

Do joining agencies have to give up their established identity as an independent agency?

No. AHA Members are each independent agencies, individually owned and operated. AHA is not a franchise. You do not become part of the Master Agency, but rather a strategic partner with the purpose of growing & perpetuating your agency.

For member agencies, who services the client after the sale?

Each member agencies service their own clients. By retaining all contact with the client, members will strengthen the relationship.

Is there a fee to join AHA?

There are fees associated with membership. There is an initial admission fee and then there is revenue & equity sharing based on the “growth only” that is created by the joint venture partnership of the Independent Agent and AHA.

How do I join AHA?

There are several ways to express interest in becoming a member:

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Premiums

$91,000,000

The Amount of Premiums Written by Partner Members