Q. Who is Branch Agency Solutions?
Q. Who owns the business?
Q. In what States is BAS authorized to operate and have active agencies?
Q. What fees are involved?
Q. Commissions?
Q. Profit Sharing, Bonus, and Contingencies?
Q. Do Agents have direct Binding, Quoting, Service, and Policy Desk-Top Policy Issue authority?
Q. Whose name and contact information appears on policy declarations pages as “Agent?”
Q. May I have or use other companies on my own at time of joining and/or obtained during my relationship with BAS who are not provided by BAS?
Q. What promotional materials are available for my agency’s use?
Q. Carrier Codes?
Q. What kind of agent training is available?
Q. I am a company direct writing agent and wish to go Independent. What must I do?
Q. Can I be terminated by BAS?
Q. Will I have a contract with BAS?
Q. I decided to join BAS. What are the steps?
Q. Who is Branch Agency Solutions (BAS)?
A. BAS was started to provide the opportunity for agencies to grow through our insurance carriers. BAS is an non-franchised insurance network, which enables agencies to obtain direct company appointments. It is a tried and proven concept that works! Smaller volume agencies may obtain direct company appointments through BAS after their premium volume commitment s obtained through the respective carriers' requirements. We do provide some simple service on accounts for your clients.
Q. Who owns the business?
A. Agents own the business at all times, including new business, renewals, and roll overs. BAS also has a built in perpetuation plan to buy back your agency in the event you would want to sell our agency at anytime at 1.5 times revenue over a 24 month or longer basis.
Q. In what States is BAS authorized to operate and have active members?
A. Not all BAS partner companies are available in all 50 states. However, the following states are where BAS is seeking and has active agency licensure: FL, AL, GA, LA, MS, TX, SC, NC, & TN. BAS is licensed to write in may other states as well.
Q. What Fees are involved?
A. For the full Branch Agency program, a one-time $3500 administrative fee is required upon execution of our contract. On going monthly costs would be $250 after 180 days from your first full month of operation. This monthly costs includes your E&O, agency management, raters, VOIP phone, and technology costs. No cost for Our 50/50 program which varies upon the selection of optional programs chosen. The initial training period would require travel to our main location and lodging and meals are picked up by BAS while at our main location. Training over Zoom is also available.
Q. Commissions?
A. Carriers’ customary commissions are split 80/20 (Agent/BAS). Commercial accounts written through our exclusive carrier programs can make 100% commission, but most are paid on a 60/40 to 80/20 split. Our exclusive NFIP program currently pays 20% on new and renewal flood business*.
Commissions are paid to an agent once a month, typically no later than the 15th or 30th of the month. Detailed statements are provided along with each commission statement to the agent. Our PFIP program pays between 10% and 17% Commission. (* Subject to carrier participation in NFIP)
Q. Profit Share, Bonus, Contingencies?
A. Once an agent achieves the annual production with a particular carrier(s) and BAS earns a bonus from that particular carrier(s), agents share 80% of bonus along with all agents over the production minimum. Agents share the bonus pro-rata, based upon their individual premium production contribution as a percentage of all qualified sharing agents. Bonuses and/or gift cards paid directly to your agency by the carrier are yours to keep. An example would be where a carrier offers a bonus for every piece of business written for a promotional period.
Q. Do Agents have direct Binding, Quoting, Service, and Policy Desk-Top Policy Issue authority?
A. Yes, to the extent individual carriers grant such authority to all their regular appointed agents.
Q. Whose name and contact information appears on policy declarations pages as “Agent?”
A. BAS Member Agency or BAS' parent company, Tomlinson & Co.
Q. May I have or use other companies on my own at time of joining and/or obtained during my relationship with BAS who are not provided by BAS?
A. Yes. There are no restrictions for BAS member agents to exclusively use only BAS sponsored companies. Your own Errors & Omissions policy would be required to cover those carriers. Many times it is in your best interest to roll that business to BAS once you have established an agency through BAS.
Q. What promotional materials are available for my agency’s use?
A. Along with an agency website, we can provide a free customer brochure template with your agency name and contact information, for which you can reproduce on your desktop or through your local print shop. We provide a free “Press Release” to any local news outlets of agent’s choice announcing a new business relationship with BAS. Agents have complete and direct access to regular carrier supplied promotional materials including signs, newspaper advertising templates, brochures, plaques, co-op advertising, pens, etc., and radio copy. Many carriers contribute to co-op advertising.
Q. Carrier Codes?
A. Individual agencies receive sub-producer codes and carrier access under BAS’s Master Codes. If requested, individual codes are provided for any individual agent producer at the agency as well. Most carriers are available on any comparative rating system you may employ.
Q. What kind of agent training is available?
A. Even though we provide upfront training upon signing our contract, many of our carrier partners provide on-line training you may complete on your own schedule. Some carriers provide periodic Webinars (Zoom) depending upon special or new product announcements. Several have ‘phone or teleconference training capability, while others may personally visit your shop for installation and training. Our agency management partner provides one-on-one training.
Q. I am a company direct writing agent and wish to go Independent. What must I do?
A. Much depends upon your existing contract with your direct writing company with regard to non-competes during and after your contract period. You will need to consult your contract for guidance on your rights. We do not provide legal advice with regard to this or any other issues. With some exceptions, our carriers will not contract with an agent personally holding a contract with a direct writer. Please call us and we can discuss some of the “exceptions.”
Q. Can I be terminated by BAS?
A. Even though BAS does not require a monthly production quota, regulatory action necessitating termination of our relationship or any company appointment will be effected based upon required and specified time frames. Terminations by BAS or appointing carriers can occur with or without cause.
Q. Will I have a contract with BAS?
A. Yes.
Q. I decided to join BAS. What are the steps?
A. Complete the BAS Contact form on this site under Contact Us.
We will contact you for additional required appointment paperwork along with execution of our contract and procedures. Paperwork will be submitted directly back to us for further processing with our carriers. Most carriers utilize free Choice Point Lexis Nexus MVR’s services for quoting purposes. You will be required to complete the process to obtain the code use across the carrier spectrum for auto or home business. Depending upon the carriers’ requirements, you may be contacted by their field personnel to respond to any of your and their questions.
Appointment process normally takes from one to six weeks for completion depending upon carrier administrative load and process.
Q. Who owns the business?
Q. In what States is BAS authorized to operate and have active agencies?
Q. What fees are involved?
Q. Commissions?
Q. Profit Sharing, Bonus, and Contingencies?
Q. Do Agents have direct Binding, Quoting, Service, and Policy Desk-Top Policy Issue authority?
Q. Whose name and contact information appears on policy declarations pages as “Agent?”
Q. May I have or use other companies on my own at time of joining and/or obtained during my relationship with BAS who are not provided by BAS?
Q. What promotional materials are available for my agency’s use?
Q. Carrier Codes?
Q. What kind of agent training is available?
Q. I am a company direct writing agent and wish to go Independent. What must I do?
Q. Can I be terminated by BAS?
Q. Will I have a contract with BAS?
Q. I decided to join BAS. What are the steps?
Q. Who is Branch Agency Solutions (BAS)?
A. BAS was started to provide the opportunity for agencies to grow through our insurance carriers. BAS is an non-franchised insurance network, which enables agencies to obtain direct company appointments. It is a tried and proven concept that works! Smaller volume agencies may obtain direct company appointments through BAS after their premium volume commitment s obtained through the respective carriers' requirements. We do provide some simple service on accounts for your clients.
Q. Who owns the business?
A. Agents own the business at all times, including new business, renewals, and roll overs. BAS also has a built in perpetuation plan to buy back your agency in the event you would want to sell our agency at anytime at 1.5 times revenue over a 24 month or longer basis.
Q. In what States is BAS authorized to operate and have active members?
A. Not all BAS partner companies are available in all 50 states. However, the following states are where BAS is seeking and has active agency licensure: FL, AL, GA, LA, MS, TX, SC, NC, & TN. BAS is licensed to write in may other states as well.
Q. What Fees are involved?
A. For the full Branch Agency program, a one-time $3500 administrative fee is required upon execution of our contract. On going monthly costs would be $250 after 180 days from your first full month of operation. This monthly costs includes your E&O, agency management, raters, VOIP phone, and technology costs. No cost for Our 50/50 program which varies upon the selection of optional programs chosen. The initial training period would require travel to our main location and lodging and meals are picked up by BAS while at our main location. Training over Zoom is also available.
Q. Commissions?
A. Carriers’ customary commissions are split 80/20 (Agent/BAS). Commercial accounts written through our exclusive carrier programs can make 100% commission, but most are paid on a 60/40 to 80/20 split. Our exclusive NFIP program currently pays 20% on new and renewal flood business*.
Commissions are paid to an agent once a month, typically no later than the 15th or 30th of the month. Detailed statements are provided along with each commission statement to the agent. Our PFIP program pays between 10% and 17% Commission. (* Subject to carrier participation in NFIP)
Q. Profit Share, Bonus, Contingencies?
A. Once an agent achieves the annual production with a particular carrier(s) and BAS earns a bonus from that particular carrier(s), agents share 80% of bonus along with all agents over the production minimum. Agents share the bonus pro-rata, based upon their individual premium production contribution as a percentage of all qualified sharing agents. Bonuses and/or gift cards paid directly to your agency by the carrier are yours to keep. An example would be where a carrier offers a bonus for every piece of business written for a promotional period.
Q. Do Agents have direct Binding, Quoting, Service, and Policy Desk-Top Policy Issue authority?
A. Yes, to the extent individual carriers grant such authority to all their regular appointed agents.
Q. Whose name and contact information appears on policy declarations pages as “Agent?”
A. BAS Member Agency or BAS' parent company, Tomlinson & Co.
Q. May I have or use other companies on my own at time of joining and/or obtained during my relationship with BAS who are not provided by BAS?
A. Yes. There are no restrictions for BAS member agents to exclusively use only BAS sponsored companies. Your own Errors & Omissions policy would be required to cover those carriers. Many times it is in your best interest to roll that business to BAS once you have established an agency through BAS.
Q. What promotional materials are available for my agency’s use?
A. Along with an agency website, we can provide a free customer brochure template with your agency name and contact information, for which you can reproduce on your desktop or through your local print shop. We provide a free “Press Release” to any local news outlets of agent’s choice announcing a new business relationship with BAS. Agents have complete and direct access to regular carrier supplied promotional materials including signs, newspaper advertising templates, brochures, plaques, co-op advertising, pens, etc., and radio copy. Many carriers contribute to co-op advertising.
Q. Carrier Codes?
A. Individual agencies receive sub-producer codes and carrier access under BAS’s Master Codes. If requested, individual codes are provided for any individual agent producer at the agency as well. Most carriers are available on any comparative rating system you may employ.
Q. What kind of agent training is available?
A. Even though we provide upfront training upon signing our contract, many of our carrier partners provide on-line training you may complete on your own schedule. Some carriers provide periodic Webinars (Zoom) depending upon special or new product announcements. Several have ‘phone or teleconference training capability, while others may personally visit your shop for installation and training. Our agency management partner provides one-on-one training.
Q. I am a company direct writing agent and wish to go Independent. What must I do?
A. Much depends upon your existing contract with your direct writing company with regard to non-competes during and after your contract period. You will need to consult your contract for guidance on your rights. We do not provide legal advice with regard to this or any other issues. With some exceptions, our carriers will not contract with an agent personally holding a contract with a direct writer. Please call us and we can discuss some of the “exceptions.”
Q. Can I be terminated by BAS?
A. Even though BAS does not require a monthly production quota, regulatory action necessitating termination of our relationship or any company appointment will be effected based upon required and specified time frames. Terminations by BAS or appointing carriers can occur with or without cause.
Q. Will I have a contract with BAS?
A. Yes.
Q. I decided to join BAS. What are the steps?
A. Complete the BAS Contact form on this site under Contact Us.
We will contact you for additional required appointment paperwork along with execution of our contract and procedures. Paperwork will be submitted directly back to us for further processing with our carriers. Most carriers utilize free Choice Point Lexis Nexus MVR’s services for quoting purposes. You will be required to complete the process to obtain the code use across the carrier spectrum for auto or home business. Depending upon the carriers’ requirements, you may be contacted by their field personnel to respond to any of your and their questions.
Appointment process normally takes from one to six weeks for completion depending upon carrier administrative load and process.