In this episode of Agency Ascend, Chad, Chris, and Jessica break down what’s really happening with carrier relationships, market access, and agency positioning heading into 2026. While many agents are asking if markets are opening back up, the reality is more nuanced: carriers are becoming increasingly selective, prioritizing profitability, data, and alignment over sheer volume.

The team explores how strong carrier relationships can unlock far more than appointments—providing insights, growth opportunities, and strategic advantages that most agents overlook. They also dive into how different carrier strategies (broad vs. selective) impact agency growth, why diversification is now essential, and how small agencies can still compete against larger firms by leveraging relationships and adaptability.

If you’re an agency owner trying to navigate a faster, more complex market, this episode lays out exactly what it takes to stay competitive—and where most agents are falling behind.

About the Show

Agency Ascend is a podcast for insurance agents and agency owners who are looking for resources to scale their business. The show is hosted by Managing Partner, Chris Sterlacci, and other staff members of CAA to bring you tools and guidance on how they help Agency owners turn their business into a major asset.

CoVerica Agency Alliance is a strategic master agency of SIAA, the fastest growing agency partnership in the country. Our “integrator” model combines the best aspects of each partnership model — clusters, aggregators, franchises — to create a one-of-a-kind partnership that enhances distribution and drives organic growth. As a top insurance agency strategic partner in Texas, we offer solutions to greatly strengthen your agency’s position in the market.

New episodes drop triweekly on Wednesdays. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at [email protected]. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

Visit us at www.covericaaa.com