My name is Michael R. Long. I am the CEO of the AXiA Group. We are a 7 year old agency that has grown to 4 primary offices and well over $20,000,000 in annualized premium. Part of our success is due to identifying and establishing strategic relationships.

One of these relationships has been with Kevin McKay and The Iroquois Group. This relationship has allowed us to contract with key insurance providers, which in turn provided us the ability to compete with agencies much larger than ours. We also found through this process that we were able to maximize our commissions and profit sharing with these carriers due to the volume that The Iroquois Group has with them.

We have looked at several “aggregators” in the past. We found many issues that concerned us. The primary issues with many of them were not being able to create relationships directly with the carrier underwriters, marketing representatives or management. The Iroquois Group allows us to do this.

As we have grown with The Iroquois Group, Kevin has helped us take advantage of many of the other benefits available. A few are Market Alignment Program (MAP) CSR/Producer training, rating programs and software agreements. We have found Kevin to be very responsive, knowledgeable and great on follow through.

I would strongly encourage Agency Principals who are looking to grow to carefully consider creating a partnership with Kevin McKay and The Iroquois Group. It will make the trip much easier and more profitable.

“Three years ago we were at a crossroads. We were merging with another agent that had a relationship with Iroquois. We had to decide if we were going to pull that business out or put in our business. I have to be honest, my first thought was, our agency is big enough and has enough markets that we really have no need for them. Then they came in to talk to us and show us the numbers. They had my attention; it was something I simply couldn't ignore. At first we tested it with some of our companies to see if it was too good to be true. A year later we had all of the business we could through Iroquois. There is no way in this market that agency owners can't look at any way to maximize the revenue and profit sharing. We are also given a marketing person that helps us with ALL the companies and allows us to get other benefits, like discounts to on line rating systems. Also, as one of the largest agency with most of the companies they are with, it allows you to share the clout they have with the company partners. We are so glad we did and we are not looking back."

Short Insurance joined the Iroquois organization with hopes of increased market availability, increased agency profitability, and efficiency. Since day one of our relationship allof our hopes have been exceeded. I am thankful for our relationship with Iroquois and look to future growth aided by their assistance.

“We are very pleased with our partnership with The Iroquois Group. For 2008 we were able to take a Million dollar book of business with one company that gave us a small profit sharing percentage before, and made it pay off big! Net profit from the arrangement was impressive. Not only did it improve our profit potential, we have underwriters that are much more attuned to our agency now. Definitely a win-win for us. Also, Iroquois has given us new markets that have allowed us to be more competitive in certain niche markets. We look forward to a continued growing relationship. Thank you for what you have added to our operation.”

“Not only has Iroquois provided access to companies that can accommodate our needs for the broad types of products and coverage, it has accommodated our need for out of state markets, to be accessed with our non-resident licensing. The other advantage is we are able to earn contingency payments in companies we either would not get a payment or would receive a lower payment, on our own. Iroquois’ premium volume allows our pro-rata contingency share to be higher than if we were directly appointed. Iroquois membership has helped to improve income substantially, over the years.”

"Like most agencies, we were reluctant at first to join Iroquois. We were concerned we would lose our identity with our clients as well as our relationships with our carriers. But joining Iroquois turned out to be one of the wisest decisions we ever made! We have more markets than ever and we have a stronger relationship and presence with all of our carriers. We are able to provide better products and service to our clients because of our collective strength with Iroquois. And the best part of all, for the second year in a row we received profit sharing checks that were just unimaginable before Iroquois!"

"We are very happy with our relationship with Iroquois. They have compensation levels that fit our needs and enables us to maximize profit sharing levels not available to a smaller agency."

“Why would an independent agent want to do business with The Iroquois Group? I can tell you some of the reasons why we chose to do so over 14 years ago… Great companies with reasonable volume commitments for small and medium sized agencies….Profit Sharing that far exceeds what we could get on our own….and a real partner—professionals who are there when you need them. Iroquois offers flexible arrangements to fit our needs with different companies too.

We joined Iroquois in 1995 and we have never looked back.”

"Truly, Iroquois wants to see their agents succeed. Our Excellent Growth and Agency Profitability would not have been possible without this partnership the last 4 years. Charlie Enroughty and Matt Ward have always been a pleasure to do business with and we recommend The Iroquois Group highly!"

“As a small agency owner, when I needed markets to complement my existing representation, I contacted Iroquois and was able to match-up with several carriers that fit my needs and are helping me grow.”

“In addition to providing quality property/casualty companies, Iroquois’ buying power has enabled our agency to reduce our costs by as much as 50% for Member services such as rating software.”

“Main Street America has developed a great partnership with the Iroquois Group throughout all of our regions. Teaming with Iroquois’ strong network of agents, we have been able to profitably grow our business in all markets where they represent us. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with Iroquois to sustain our mutual success.”

“Iroquois provides my agency with stable markets and the clout of a large organization, and we retain our independence.”

“Iroquois is absolutely the greatest boon to my business in the last 15 Years. I recommend Iroquois to any Agent who wants a real Business Advocate for their Insurance Agency. Market Introductions, Business Assistance, Direction, Advocacy -- please, if someone is thinking about joining, have them call me for more info.” 

"Iroquois has placed national preferred companies in my agency enabling me to grow more rapidly than I could have on my own." 

“Iroquois is a true advocate of Independent agents.  They bring to the table additional markets, discounts with industry vendors, volume commitments that agents can reach, and above all we have found them trustworthy in their deliberations.”

“Just a note to say how happy I am working with the Iroquois Group. The Iroquois Group has provided my small agency with the companies to compete with the larger agencies without the pressure of ever-increasing volume commitments.  In addition, I am receiving bonus commissions that only the largest of agencies would otherwise receive that far outweigh the costs of membership.  Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of the Iroquois Team!”

"I partnered with The Iroquois Group the moment I entered the independent agent "scene". I have never regretted it and although my agency can now obtain markets as needed, it is still The Iroquois Group that continues to hold our biggest portion of business...and I am guessing that's the way it will continue for years to come. "

"Thanks to Iroquois, I have the best companies and the best prices.  In 4 years I have reached Iroquois' top ”Partner Plan” level and have opened multiple locations throughout northwest Georgia.”

“Iroquois smoothes out the highs and lows of the industry cycles giving us greater market stability and security.” 

“We are coming up on our 12th anniversary with Iroquois.  It has been a very beneficial and enjoyable relationship.  Our association with Iroquois gives us access to markets.  Also, the size of Iroquois enables us to receive a competitive commission even when our book of business, individually, does not warrant this consideration.  Let’s hope the next 12 years are as pleasant and profitable as the past.”

“Iroquois combines excellent service, access to a wide range of property/casualty carriers, and an empowering working relationship to help independent agents grow in a changing market place.  We have found management to have an in-depth understanding of the industry and we appreciate their efforts to keep us current with trends and new carriers.  We recommend Iroquois to independent agents who are looking to improve upon what they do best – serving their clients interests."

"With the turmoil related to this dynamic business, it is comforting to have Iroquois as a partner.  In addition to markets, they bring professional relationships that help us reach our agency goals."

"Iroquois was instrumental in helping establish markets for my small, rural agency.  My agency has really grown since partnering with Iroquois."

“The Iroquois Group offers Chubb access to a great number of agencies we might not otherwise know about or gain access to, thereby enhancing our marketing efforts.  They do an excellent job of underwriting for us as well.”

“Security, better markets, and higher commissions are all part of Iroquois.”

“Iroquois is spreading across the map like ink on a blotter.”