Every aggregator has a great pitch deck. Carrier access, technology, support, community. But the contract is where the truth lives. Agents who skip the fine print end up locked into bad terms, losing their book, or paying fees they did not expect. Read every word before you sign.
The single most important clause. Does the contract explicitly state that you own your book of business? Look for language like "Agent retains ownership of all client relationships and policies." If the contract says the aggregator owns the book, or if ownership is ambiguous, that is a dealbreaker for most agents.
Does the contract restrict you from working in insurance or contacting your clients after leaving? Check the duration (6 months? 2 years?), geographic scope, and whether it applies to all clients or only those acquired through the aggregator. See our full non-compete guide.
How do you leave? What notice is required (30 days? 90 days? 6 months?)? Is there an early termination fee? Can you take your book immediately or is there a transition period? The exit terms reveal how confident the aggregator is in their value proposition — if they make leaving easy, they believe agents stay because they want to, not because they are trapped.
What is the override percentage on each carrier? Is it flat across all carriers or does it vary? Can the aggregator change the override with notice? Is the commission schedule an attachment to the contract or buried in a separate document they can modify unilaterally?
What are the startup costs? Monthly fees? Technology fees? E&O costs? Are there hidden charges for training, marketing materials, or carrier access? Get the total annual cost in writing before signing.
Which carriers are available in your state? Is the carrier list guaranteed or can the aggregator remove carriers? What happens to your policies if the aggregator loses a carrier contract?
Does the contract require you to write all business through the aggregator? Or can you maintain direct appointments with certain carriers? Exclusivity clauses limit your flexibility and negotiating leverage.
How are disagreements handled? Arbitration, mediation, or litigation? In which jurisdiction? Mandatory arbitration in the aggregator's home state can be expensive and inconvenient for you.
Explicit book ownership language
No non-compete or very limited scope
30-60 day exit notice
Transparent, published override schedule
No exclusivity requirement
E&O included or optional
Vague or missing book ownership clause
2+ year non-compete with broad scope
6+ month exit notice or early termination fee
Override schedule that can change without consent
Full exclusivity required
Hidden fees discovered after signing
Book ownership, fees, exit terms, and non-compete clauses for 26+ aggregators.
Compare Aggregators →