Specialty Program Group review for retail agents: programs, access and binding authority
Specialty Program Group, or SPG, is HUB International's wholesale and program arm. It runs SPG Wholesale plus brands for trucking, grocery, cannabis, elevators, environmental and small niche classes. Each program writes one niche for carriers under authority they give it.
It suits agencies with odd accounts that most markets turn away. Each brand handles its own appointments and submissions.
- Best for
- Agencies with niche classes such as trucking, last mile delivery, tattoo shops, elevators, grocery or cannabis
- Type
- Wholesale broker and program group owned by HUB International
- Lines
- Commercial P&C, management and professional, transportation, environmental, cannabis, grocery and personal lines
- Access
- Each brand appoints separately. SPG Wholesale needs its paperwork before you bind, and PPIB quotes before appointment
- Authority
- SPG Wholesale binds some classes, and PartnerOne quotes, binds and issues in house
- States
- By program. The elevator program is admitted everywhere but Hawaii
Our take
SPG is a collection of specialist brands under one owner. SPG Wholesale brokers and binds general commercial, while program brands like PPIB, PartnerOne and The Mechanic Group each own a niche.
It fits an agency that writes tattoo shops, security firms, last mile fleets or elevator contractors. PPIB will even quote before you're appointed.
The trade-off is scattered paperwork. Every brand has its own forms and portals, and most don't publish states or paper.
Pros
- Deep niches, from tattoo shops to elevator contractors
- PPIB quotes before you're appointed
- PartnerOne binds and issues environmental in house
- Elevator program admitted in every state but Hawaii
- SPG Marketplace finds the right brand for a class
Cons
- Separate appointment with each brand
- Most programs don't list states or carriers
- No single portal across brands
- Commission terms aren't published
Who they work with
- Who can submit
- Licensed agents and brokers appointed with the SPG brand that writes the risk
- How to get access
- Find the product in SPG Marketplace or on the brand page, then use that brand's form, rater or application
- SPG Wholesale requirements
- A signed producer agreement, license, E&O declarations page, W-9 and Producer Profile before binding
- PPIB requirements
- Agency license, E&O proof, W-9 and a Producer Profile Form. You can get a quote first
Find the product
Search SPG Marketplace or the division page.
Reach the brand
Use its contact form, rater or application.
Get appointed
Send the brand's appointment paperwork before you bind.
Programs and what they write
| Program | Type | Lines |
|---|---|---|
| SPG WholesaleBinding under carrier contracts, plus brokerage | Wholesale broker | Commercial P&C, management and professional, environmental, energy and personal lines |
| SPG TransportationTrucking, last mile and moving | Program | Auto, cargo, GL, excess and work injury |
| SPG MainstreetGrocery and cannabis | Program | Package programs for grocers and cannabis businesses |
| The Mechanic GroupSecurity alarm and investigators | Program | GL and umbrella |
| National ElevatorElevator contractors, inspectors and makers | MGA | GL, professional, umbrella, comp, property and auto |
| PartnerOne EnvironmentalEnvironmental contractors, consultants and facilities | Program | Pollution, professional, GL, umbrella, auto and comp |
| PPIBTattoo, salon, medispa and other small niches | MGA | GL, professional and products |
SPG Marketplace also lists 22 wholesale products and points you to the brand that writes each one.
SPG Transportation
- Texas non-subscriber and owner-operators
- Fleets of 150 or more with a $100,000 deductible
- Auto liability up to $2M
- FedEx service provider programs
- Heavy bulk and white glove last mile
- Moving, storage and portable storage
PPIB niches
- Tattoo and body piercing up to $2M/$3M
- Day spas, salons and permanent makeup
- Medispas and medical directors
- Podcasters and pyrotechnics
- Smoke shops and e-cigarettes
- Sexual abuse and molestation
How to submit
- How it works
- SPG Wholesale brokers or binds accounts, while each program brand underwrites its own classes
- Submit by
- Division forms, Royal Rater West and Northeast, the SPG ExecuPro portal or email
- PPIB submissions
- The PPIB application and state form to submissions@ppibcorp.com. The quote letter lists binding requirements
- PartnerOne submissions
- p1submissions@p1enviro.com
Quote and bind authority
"Takes your submission" means you send the risk to the firm, and "Underwrites" means its own staff set the terms. Binds "In house" means the firm commits the carrier on its own, with no second sign-off. Where a cell is blank, the firm publishes nothing on that step.
| Program | Takes your submission | Quotes | Underwrites | Binds | Issues the policy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPG Wholesale | In house | ||||
| SPG Transportation | |||||
| SPG Mainstreet | |||||
| The Mechanic Group | |||||
| PartnerOne Environmental | In house | ||||
| PPIB | |||||
| SPG Marketplace | Eligibility check |
SPG Marketplace only checks eligibility and links to the right brand. SPG Wholesale doesn't list which classes it binds itself.
Carrier paper and admitted status
| Program | Carrier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Mechanic Group | Palomar Excess and Surplus Insurance Company | Surplus lines |
| SPG Transportation | AmTrust Financial | BizCHOICE heavy bulk last mile and middle mile |
| SPG Marketplace listing | National Indemnity | Listed on SPG Marketplace |
Commission, fees and billing
- How SPG is paid
- Mostly carrier and MGA commission and contingency deals, sometimes a client fee agreed before binding
- Shared commission
- When an SPG retail broker places through an SPG wholesaler, both earn commission
Surplus lines taxes and filings
- Who files
- PPIB files the surplus lines taxes under its carrier contracts. Brokers with a surplus lines license may file their own
Endorsements, audits and claims
- Policy documents
- PPIB gives agents a portal for client documents
Who owns the account
- Who owns the expirations
- SPG doesn't publish its terms. Ask each SPG brand before you place business
Portal and integrations
- Portal
- SPG Marketplace, plus brand portals such as Royal Rater and SPG ExecuPro
- Online quoting
- Through brand raters. SPG Marketplace itself checks eligibility only
What SPG Marketplace does
- Lists wholesale and retail products
- Checks eligibility by product
- Routes homeowners and dwelling fire by state
- Links to each brand's application or quote site
Support for retail agents
- Contact
- The Become a Producer form or a division contact form. PPIB at 415-475-4300
- Underwriter access
- SPG Wholesale lists division leaders with direct lines
Specialty Program Group alternatives
- One80 IntermediariesMore than 100 programs with in-house binding
- Distinguished ProgramsHabitational and hospitality programs with online binding
- AmwinsNational wholesaler with more than 150 programs
- JencapContractor programs plus small business binding
- CRC GroupBrokerage and binding programs across many niches
See every option in insurance mGAs and wholesalers.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get appointed with SPG?
Through the brand you want to use. SPG Wholesale needs a signed producer agreement, license, E&O, W-9 and Producer Profile before you bind.
Can I quote PPIB before I'm appointed?
Yes. You need the appointment only to bind.
What does SPG Transportation write?
Moving and storage, trucking and last mile delivery. Large deductible fleets need at least 150 vehicles.
Who files surplus lines taxes on PPIB business?
PPIB does, as its carrier contracts require. Brokers with a surplus lines license may be able to file their own.
How we researched this review. We based this review on the terms and product pages published by Specialty Program Group, 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 Specialty Program Group quit selling or a contract term that reads different now, let us know and send the link to the page where Specialty Program Group has it. Somebody here pulls up that page and checks it before we change anything on ours.