American Agents Alliance review for insurance agencies: fees, carrier access and book ownership
American Agents Alliance is a member-owned trade association based in Sacramento. Its preferred markets program lets California agencies without their own appointments write on Alliance appointments while they work toward codes of their own.
There is no entry fee. Dues run $50 to $130 a month per location, depending on staff size.
To sell a carrier's policies an agency needs an appointment, a contract with that carrier. Networks often hold the appointment as a master code and list each member under it on a subcode.
The commission split is how each commission is divided between you and the network. Carriers also pay profit sharing, a yearly bonus for profitable business. Book ownership is about who keeps the clients and the expirations, their renewal records, if you leave.
- Best for
- Small California agencies that want preferred personal lines markets and a path to their own appointments
- Entry fee
- $0
- Monthly fee
- $50 to $130 a month, by staff size
- Carrier access
- Through Alliance appointments until you earn your own
- Startups
- Yes, for qualifying members
- States
- California for preferred markets
Our take
The Alliance fits a small California agency that wants preferred personal lines carriers now and its own appointments later. The dues are low and published, and you can stop them with written notice.
It is not built for agencies outside California or for commercial lines. It also doesn't publish its commission terms while you write on its appointments.
Pros
Cons
- Preferred markets are for California only
- Mostly personal lines
- Commission terms on Alliance business are not published
- The preferred markets agreement is not public
Who they take
- Startups
- Yes, for new and small California agencies that qualify
- Requirements
- A California license, current E&O and a broker bond
- Production minimums
- The Mercury track needs 24 months and $500,000 in new premium before a direct appointment
- States
- Membership is open nationwide. Preferred markets are for California producers only
- Lines
- Mostly preferred personal lines
What it costs
American Agents Alliance is a trade association, so you pay dues instead of giving up a share of commission. Dues depend on how many staff work at each location and are billed month to month after you are approved.
| Fee | Amount | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Entry fee | $0 | Not charged |
| Dues, 1 to 2 staff | $50 | Monthly |
| Dues, 3 to 5 staff | $58 | Monthly |
| Dues, 6 to 10 staff | $68 | Monthly |
| Dues, 11 to 15 staff | $85 | Monthly |
| Dues, 16 to 25 staff | $108 | Monthly |
| Dues, more than 25 staff | $130 | Monthly |
Dues as of October 2026, from agentsalliance.com, per location. It does not publish whether it keeps any share of commission on preferred-market business.
How you get carrier access
Its preferred markets program is for members who do not yet have their own appointment with a carrier.
Your own appointments
The stated goal is your own direct appointment with each carrier. Once you have it, the Alliance says you can move the business you wrote through it into your agency by broker of record, a letter in which the client names your agency as its agent. Mercury spells out 24 months and $500,000 in new premium.
The network's code
Until then you write on Alliance preferred appointments, with an Alliance underwriter reviewing each submission.
- Who holds the appointment
- The Alliance while you are in the program. You, once you earn a direct appointment
- Path to a direct appointment
- Yes, it is the program's purpose
- Carriers
- Mercury, plus others the Alliance shares with members
How you get paid
- Commission schedule
- The Alliance calls its new and renewal rates competitive
- After a direct appointment
- The carrier pays your agency
Your book and leaving
The Alliance says your book is owned by you. The preferred markets agreement is not public, so confirm what happens to the business if you leave before you earn your own codes.
- Who owns the expirations
- You, according to the Alliance
- Moving the business
- After your own appointment, you can move the policies to your agency by broker of record
- Selling your agency
- Members get discounts on merger and acquisition advice. The Alliance takes no first right to buy
Term and exit
- Agreement term
- Dues are month to month
- How to leave
- Send written notice to stop the monthly dues
Technology, E&O and support
Technology
- No required agency management system or rater
- AMS360 at 25% off setup, two free months and 10% off monthly
- HawkSoft at 30% off setup
- QQCatalyst at 10% off and PL Rating at $99 setup plus 20% off
E&O
An optional members-only E&O program through CalSurance, built for California agencies.
Help you get
- A dedicated underwriter and one-on-one training
- Mercury emerging agent workshop and coaching
- Optional paid leads and live calls
- Discounts on merger and acquisition advice
Who owns the network
- Owner
- Its members, as a nonprofit trade association
- Buys member agencies
- No
American Agents Alliance alternatives
- Big I AllianceFrom $3,000 to join and $300 a monthFlat Gold fees, codes in your own name and 100% of commission
- Agents Alliance ServicesNo membership feeNo membership fee, AMS360 setup and full commission accounting
- Pacific Interstate Insurance Brokers$850 a monthFlat dues, 100% of commission and a published $5,000 exit fee
- FireflyNo monthly duesWrites on Firefly's code and keeps 10%. Moving its carrier business costs 30% of a year's commission
- Smart ChoiceNo monthly feeNo entry or monthly fee, keeps 30% until a set commission level, then nothing
See every option in insurance agency clusters and networks.
Frequently asked questions
How much does American Agents Alliance cost?
No entry fee. Dues run $50 to $130 a month per location by staff size.
Can I get my own carrier appointments?
That is the program's goal. For Mercury, it takes at least 24 months and $500,000 in new premium.
Do I own my book with American Agents Alliance?
The Alliance says yes. After you earn your own appointment you can move the business to your agency by broker of record.
Is it only for California agencies?
Membership is open nationwide, but preferred markets access is for California producers only.
How we researched this review. We based this review on the pricing, terms and product pages published by American Agents Alliance, reviewed in October 2026, together with our team's experience working with insurance agents and agency owners since 2008.
Corrections
Vendors change their pricing all the time and they don't email us when they do. So if you see a price on here that's gone up, a plan American Agents Alliance quit selling or a contract term that reads different now, let us know and send the link to the page where American Agents Alliance has it. Somebody here pulls up that page and checks it before we change anything on ours.