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Independent insurance agencies decline to about 37,000 in 2026 study

The share of agencies reporting revenue decreases fell to 8% from 12% in 2024, while carrier-market-commitment concerns eased to 41% from 56%.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Industry & Deals

Independent insurance agencies totaled about 37,000 in 2026, down from 39,000 in 2024, according to the Big “I” 2026 Agency Universe Study carried out on behalf of the Big “I” and Future One.

Insurance Journal reports that the study found most independent agencies remained profitable across both personal and commercial lines, and that agencies reporting revenue decreases dropped to 8% from 12% versus 2024. As the market softened, agencies’ concerns about carriers’ market commitment eased to 41% from 56%.

The report also highlights technology and staffing challenges for agencies. It said the biggest technology hurdle was managing multiple carrier interfaces, and most agents, 86%, prefer customer service through phone or other non-online methods, with fewer than a quarter favoring online self-service for tasks like purchasing policies and obtaining quotes.

According to Insurance Journal, the top overall challenges were finding and screening job candidates with strong potential at 45%, keeping up with the latest in AI at 43%, and growing personal lines business at 41%. The survey included 1,376 respondents, conducted by Zeldis Research in cooperation with Future One.

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