The 2026 insurance outlook points to stabilization, not softness. As rate-driven growth slows, carriers are shifting their attention toward organic growth, underwriting discipline, and risk quality.

This conversation explores:
• What market stabilization really means for agencies
• Why carriers are prioritizing policies in force over premium spikes
• How data and technology are reshaping underwriting decisions
• The increasing importance of risk management and loss prevention
• What agencies must do now to stay competitive in 2026

Independent agencies that adapt early and return to the fundamentals of risk selection and client education will be better positioned as the market continues to evolve.

The New Year is often seen as a clean slate—but lasting success in insurance doesn’t come from drastic resolutions. In this episode of the Build Your Legacy Insurance Edition podcast, Bill and Travis discuss how producers and agency leaders can use the start of the year to build better habits, clearer focus, and consistent growth.

From dedicating uninterrupted prospecting time to investing in education and team development, the conversation highlights why discipline and small daily improvements matter more than lofty goals that fade by February.

This episode is a reminder that progress in insurance—like any profession—is built through steady effort, accountability, and intentional routines.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to reset professionally without overwhelming yourself
• Why achievable habits lead to long-term growth
• Simple prospecting discipline that top agencies prioritize
• The role of education and curiosity in career development
• How leaders can invest in their teams without burnout

Perfect For:

• Insurance producers
• Agency owners and managers
• Team leaders focused on growth and accountability
• Professionals planning their year with intention

Connect With Us:
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or YouTube
🌐 Learn more at siaofnc.com
✉️ Submit topics or feedback at podcastsofNC.com

In this special holiday edition of the Build Your Legacy Insurance Edition podcast, we step back from the day-to-day grind and talk about what the Christmas season can teach insurance agencies about leadership, preparation, and culture.

From lighthearted debates about Christmas movies to meaningful conversations about running an insurance agency, this episode focuses on two timeless lessons: preparation matters and kindness goes a long way.

For many insurance agencies, the holiday season brings a slower pace. Instead of waiting until January, this is the perfect time to prepare for the year ahead, reduce stress, and create clarity for your team. We also discuss why being intentional about kindness, appreciation, and culture isn’t just a seasonal idea—it’s a leadership strategy that carries value all year long.

Whether you lead a personal lines agency, commercial book, or benefits team, this episode offers perspective on how planning ahead and treating your work family like family can strengthen your agency and set the tone for long-term growth.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why preparation reduces stress in both business and life
• How the holiday season creates space to plan ahead
• The importance of kindness in leadership and agency culture
• Treating your team like family and building long-term loyalty
• Why employees want a career path, not just a job
• Using year-end reflection to prepare for a strong new year

Listen now and enjoy this festive, thoughtful conversation designed to help insurance leaders finish the year strong and start the next one with clarity and purpose.

In this episode of the Build Your Legacy Insurance Edition podcast, Bill and Ted explore how independent insurance agencies can successfully compete for talent as the industry moves toward 2026.

With hiring consistently ranking as the top challenge for agency owners, this conversation focuses on how workforce expectations have shifted and why independent agencies now have a major advantage. The discussion covers flexibility, work-life balance, compensation structure, market access, and culture — all critical factors in attracting today’s professionals.

The hosts emphasize the importance of intentional leadership, transparent communication, and building customized employment platforms that align agency goals with employee aspirations. From producers to internal service teams, this episode offers valuable insight into creating careers, not just jobs, within independent agencies

Elite agencies don't succeed by accident—they succeed because they are intentional.
In today’s episode of the Build Your Legacy Insurance Edition podcast, Bill and Travis break down the specific traits, behaviors, and systems that set top-performing independent agencies apart.

In this episode we cover:
• Why intentionality drives every part of an elite agency
• How leading agencies use AI and modern technology to increase capacity
• The importance of knowing your numbers—expenses, income, ratios, and revenue per employee
• The role of strong carrier, client, and employee relationships
• How culture becomes a competitive advantage
• Why standardized processes help agencies scale
• Practical steps you can take today to improve your 2026 performance

If you’re planning your agency strategy for the new year, this conversation gives you the blueprint used by many of the top agencies in our network.

🌐 Learn more: https://www.siaofnc.com

📩 Topic suggestions: podcasts@siaofnc.com

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Thinking about leaving the captive model and becoming an independent insurance agency in 2026? This episode breaks down the realities of that transition — what’s changing in the market, what you need to prepare for, and how to build a foundation that lasts.

We walk through the key decisions every captive agent faces when stepping into independence, including carriers, technology, planning, and the first 90 days. With 2026 bringing more automation, AI tools, and expanded market access, there has never been a better time to make the move — if you do it the right way.

This episode gives you a clear, practical roadmap so you can transition with confidence and avoid the most common pitfalls new independent owners encounter.

In this Thanksgiving edition of the Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition podcast, Bill and Travis take a moment to reflect on the people and partnerships that make the insurance industry what it is. Instead of talking about market conditions or growth strategies, this episode focuses on gratitude — for our agencies, our carriers, our team, and the entire SIAA community.

You’ll hear us talk about:
• Why we’re thankful for our independent agencies and the relationships we’ve built
• The carrier partnerships that support our members’ success
• The impact of our SIA of NC team and the work happening behind the scenes
• How the SIAA network helps us better serve our agencies
• Why strong relationships remain the foundation of the insurance business

This episode is a reminder that even in a fast-moving industry, what matters most is the people we work alongside every day.

If you have topics or questions you want us to cover as we head into the new year, email us at podcasts@siaofnc.com
.

Connect with us:
Website: https://www.siaofnc.com

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Just like our kids latch onto trends like “6, 7,” the insurance world has its own trends that are shaping how the industry moves. One of the biggest? Technology. From automated tools to smarter data tracking, tech is influencing how agencies operate, how carriers make decisions, and how customers expect to interact with their insurance.

If you’re not on board with the technology wave, you’re going to get left behind. In this episode, we break down the major trends unfolding across the market and talk through what agencies should be focusing on as we head toward 2026.

Tune in to hear what’s changing, what’s coming next, and how you can position yourself and your agency to stay ahead.