2026 Market Share Report Highlights Role of Independent Agencies in Insurance Distribution

In 2025, independent insurance agencies in the U.S. facilitated 62% of all property and casualty insurance placements, a slight increase from 61.5% in 2024. According to the 2026 Market Share Report by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big “I”), independent agents specifically accounted for 87.7% of commercial lines premiums and 39.5% of personal lines premiums. This data underscores the agency channel's pivotal role in the insurance distribution landscape.

The report highlighted the growing reliance on the independent agency channel within surplus lines, with a utilization rate increasing to 9.9%, surpassing the five-year average of 9.3%. Furthermore, private flood insurance saw utilization rates rise to 52.6%, exceeding the average of 47.4% over the past five years. The adaptability of independent agencies is further evidenced by these enhanced figures, reflecting their essential function in modern risk management.

Charles Symington, President and CEO of Big "I," emphasized the channel's adaptability, noting, "The resilience of the independent agency channel is evident in this year’s Market Share Report, painting a clear picture of its stability through the hard market." He remarked that the channel remains well-positioned for evolving market conditions. The report also mentioned improved financial metrics, with loss ratios decreasing to 57.3 in 2025 from a five-year average of 63, and combined ratios declining to 88 from the previous year’s 92, against a five-year average of 94.

The annual report, sourced from AM Best data, offers comprehensive insights into property and casualty premium distribution across various channels. Agencies and insurers can leverage this knowledge to enhance their strategies. Big “I” members and state associations have free access to the detailed report, which is also available for purchase on the Big “I” Market Share Report webpage.