The Independent Roadmap

Are you tired of taking commission "haircuts" while building someone else's book of business? In this episode of The Independent Roadmap , James Roberts and John Scheer tackle the topic that is near and dear to every agent's heart: getting paid. They break down the exact commission structures, average renewal rates, and hidden revenue streams available in the independent insurance space. If you ar...

If you had to sum up the first six months of starting an independent insurance agency in one word, it would be: chaos . In this episode of The Independent Roadmap , James Roberts (who recently launched his own scratch agency) and John Scheer break down exactly what happens on day one after you sign your contract with MIAA and SIAA. From setting up your tech stack to securing direct carrier appoint...

The Excess and Surplus (E&S) market is no longer the exception—it is the core competency you need to grow your independent agency. In Episode 7 of The Independent Roadmap , James is joined by DJ Postles, the Chief Underwriting Officer at SIAA Xchange. With over 25 years of underwriting and distribution leadership experience, DJ breaks down exactly why the E&S market has experienced double-...

You know how to start an agency, but how much does it actually cost ? In Episode 6 of The Independent Roadmap , James Roberts and John Scheer break down the exact financial blueprint for starting a scratch independent insurance agency. From your initial state licensing to the required tech stack, they leave no stone unturned so you know exactly what capital you need to get off the ground. If you a...

You have the drive and the vision, but how do you actually start an independent insurance agency? In Episode 5 of The Independent Roadmap , James Roberts pulls from his own recent experience of starting an agency to give you the exact, step-by-step administrative checklist you need to get your business off the ground. Going from a captive agent or producer to a true business owner can feel overwhe...

What happens when you combine the premium of over 5,200 independent insurance agencies? You get $18.1 billion in negotiating power. In Episode 4 of The Independent Roadmap , James Roberts and John Scheer dive into the history and massive scale of SIAA (the parent network of MIAA). Originating in the 1980s to combat carriers slashing commissions, SIAA has grown into the number one aggregator in the...

You hear the acronyms all the time, but what exactly is MIAA, and how does it actually help you grow your book of business? In Episode 3 of The Independent Roadmap, hosts James Roberts and John Scheer pull back the curtain on the Midwest Insurance Agency Alliance (MIAA). Since 2001, MIAA has grown into the largest master agency of SIAA, supporting over 220 members and writing more than $600 millio...

As we close out the first quarter of 2026, are we still in a hard market, or are things beginning to soften? In this episode of The Independent Roadmap , co-hosts James Roberts and John Scheer share exclusive insights from their recent meetings with national partner carriers. Whether you are focused on personal or commercial lines, understanding carrier appetite is critical to growing your book of...

Are you tired of building someone else's book of business? Welcome to The Independent Roadmap , the podcast dedicated to helping you navigate the modern landscape of the independent insurance agency channel. In our debut episode, co-hosts James Roberts and John Scheer (Regional Vice Presidents at MIAA and SIAA) introduce themselves and the core mission of the show. With decades of combined experie...