2024 Award Applications Are Now Closed

Stay tuned for the winners announcement later this fall, and read about previous winners below.

Read about the 2023 winners
 

The Agent for the Future™ Awards recognize the most forward-thinking, innovative independent insurance agents and agencies.  

In an era of technological transformation and increased customer expectations, Agents for the Future are adapting to changes in the industry and finding new ways to bring value to their customers. They are embracing new technologies, strategically implementing AI tools to drive efficiency and enhance customer experiences. They are taking a holistic view of customer communications, mapping out multiple touchpoints throughout the customer journey and helping educate clients about changing market conditions. They are looking to the future, building workplaces that put people first and seek to develop the next generation of talent.  

The 2024 Agent for the Future Awards included four categories for agencies and two for individuals working to build a stronger, more innovative and inclusive independent agency system.  

 

Why Enter?
Winning Agencies Receive

$5,000 cash prize

Each winner receives a $5,000 cash prize to support agency growth and innovation, with full autonomy over how and where the funding is utilized. Past winners have put the funding toward chatbot development, employee retention programs and implementing new marketing strategies.

 

Industry Recognition

The Outstanding Agency Overall and Outstanding Female Principal will be profiled in Rough Notes. Award winners are also featured on AgentForTheFuture.com, in a press release and through supporting promotional efforts.

The limited-edition trophy and bragging rights don’t hurt, either.

Agency Categories


Agent for the Future, Outstanding Agency Overall

As the top agency award, the Agent for the Future, Outstanding Agency Overall honor is awarded to the agency – big, small or somewhere in-between – that best demonstrates the qualities of an Agent for the Future. 

Past winners shared about innovative ways they have evolved their agencies, implemented new technologies, and invested in the independent agency system as a whole. For example: building their own digital insurance marketplace, developing an AI tool to perform routine tasks, partnering with minority-owned agencies to champion DEI in the insurance industry, using data to streamline processes and optimize their workplace culture, and much more.  

All agencies that apply for the Agent for the Future, Outstanding Agency Overall category are automatically entered into the Outstanding Small and Large Agency categories, based on annual revenue. 

Outstanding Small Agency

The Outstanding Small Agency honor is awarded to an agency that meets all the requirements of an Agent for the Future, with less than $2 million in annual revenue.

Outstanding Large Agency

The Outstanding Large Agency honor is awarded to an agency that meets all the requirements of an Agent for the Future, with more than $2 million in annual revenue.


Digital Innovator

The Agent for the Future, Digital Innovator honor is awarded to the most digitally savvy agency that is embracing the most cutting-edge tools and tactics.  

Agencies in this category are heavily investing in technology in their agencies, creating technology solutions that improve the customer and employee experience. For example, these agencies may be strategically implementing AI tools to solve pain points in their agency.    

Individual Categories

Outstanding Female Agency Principal

This award celebrates the women that have built thriving careers within the independent agency system, despite the many barriers of the traditionally male-dominated insurance industry. Whether a founder, partner or other c-level executive – they are an established leader within their agency and the independent agent community at large, and are deeply dedicated to progressing the industry forward.

Emerging Leader

What separates an Emerging Leader is their unconventional path to building and growing their business. This agent or broker may be in the early stages of their journey to becoming an Agent for the Future, are operating a non-traditional agency, have overcome adversity or are breaking down barriers. They are the face of a new wave of insurance agencies and have a unique story to tell.

Meet the Judges

Luke Bills

President, Independent Agent Distribution, Liberty Mutual Insurance
2022 Agent for the Future Award Winners 5

Dawnyel Smink

President, Western Region, Keystone Insurers Group
Apply for a 2020 Agent for the Future™ Award! 2

Dave Willis, CPIA

Editor-in-Chief, Rough Notes magazine

Frequently asked questions 


When are applications due?  

Please submit your application by September 20. 

When will winners be announced?  

Winners will be announced in November.

Who can apply? Can we apply if we’re not appointed with Liberty Mutual, Safeco or State Auto Insurance?  

The Agent for the Future Awards are open to all independent insurance agencies and brokers that sell personal lines or small commercial and are based in North America. Entrants are not required to be authorized to write business with Liberty Mutual, Safeco or State Auto Insurance. 

Can we apply for multiple categories?  

Applicants that meet the qualifications of multiple categories are welcome to submit more than one application, and Agent for the Future reserves the right to consider applications for additional categories, as relevant and qualified.  

Can we apply multiple years in a row?  

We encourage applicants who do not win to reapply in subsequent years. Applicants who do win cannot win the same category for multiple years, but can apply in different categories.   

How are the applications judged?  

A panel of industry veterans will judge applications based on the degree in which they demonstrate three key qualities: innovation, creativity and impact.  

What does a winning application look like?  

Winning applications are thorough and focused on how the applicant fits the category description. They also clearly explain the impact and results of the actions the applicant has taken to improve their agency.  

Download the application guide for practical advice for crafting a compelling application. 

Start Your Application

 

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