Frequently Asked Questions

Your ISU Steadfast Questions Answered

Looking to elevate your independent insurance agency with the support of a trusted network?

ISU Steadfast is a leading network of independent insurance agencies who want to stay independent, leverage the strength of a network and be part of a community focused on growing and succeeding together. Explore the common questions we receive about joining the ISU Steadfast Network.

Top 10 FAQs

What carriers can I access through ISU Steadfast?

ISU Steadfast provides members with broad carrier and market access across both Commercial and Personal Lines, depending on your agency’s state and licensing. As a member, you’ll work directly with carrier underwriters—no marketing desk or intermediaries—giving you faster, more efficient quoting and servicing.

There are no minimum premium commitments, making it easier for your agency to grow its book of business with top-rated insurance carriers.

If you're exploring what carriers you can access through ISU Steadfast or want to understand the full scope of market access available, contact us for a personalized consultation.

What are the membership fees to join the ISU Steadfast agency network?

ISU Steadfast offers a sliding monthly fee model based on your agency’s revenue. This approach ensures that both large and small agencies can access tailored pricing that aligns with their business size and goals.

Many of our members report a strong return on investment, with some seeing 5 to 8 times their annual membership cost, and in some cases, significantly more. The value delivered often far exceeds the fees paid.

If you're wondering how much it costs to join an agency network like ISU Steadfast, we’d be happy to provide a personalized ROI estimate during a no obligation introductory call. Let us show you how your membership can pay for itself—and then some.

What does your agency’s agreement look like?

ISU Steadfast offers an agent-friendly agreement. Our contract is designed to support your independence and flexibility, with:

Month-to-month terms
No long-term lockups
No non-compete clauses
No exit penalties

If you ever decide to leave, you can do so freely—without restrictions or financial penalties. It’s a straightforward, transparent agreement that puts your agency first.

Want to see the details? We’d be happy to send over a sample agreement and walk you through it, contact us for a time to chat.

Does ISU Steadfast take any ownership in my agency?

Absolutely not. As a full member of ISU Steadfast, you retain 100% ownership of your agency, your book of business, and your future. We believe in empowering independent agencies, not controlling them.

There are no equity requirements, no ownership stakes, and no hidden clauses.

Are there any exit fees if I leave?

None at all. ISU Steadfast has no exit fees and no penalties if you choose to leave. Our members stay an average of 9 years. Not because of contractual restrictions, but because they see consistent value and results.

When members do leave, it’s typically due to selling their agency—not dissatisfaction. We’re proud of the long-term relationships we build and would love to talk to you about what keeps our members engaged year after year.

What are the qualifications to receive Profit Sharing?

ISU Steadfast makes profit sharing simple and accessible. There are no annual production hurdles, no quotas, and no minimum premium requirements to qualify. As a member, you can gain access to carrier bonus and incentive programs, and we handle all the tracking and distribution for you.

Our model is designed to reward performance, not restrict it. In a 1:1 call we can show you how profit sharing can work for your agency and contribute to your bottom line.

Fill in your details and we’ll arrange a time.

How much commission do I keep?

You keep 100% of your commissions. At ISU Steadfast, your income stays where it belongs—with you. Our network structure is built to support agency profitability and financial independence.

How does ISU Steadfast compare to other agency networks, clusters, or aggregators?

ISU Steadfast is different by design. Unlike many insurance clusters, aggregators, or other agency networks, we prioritize your agency’s independence. Here’s how we stand out:

No required services
No loss of control over your agency or book of business
No carrier restrictions
No equity or ownership stakes

You maintain full autonomy while gaining access to powerful tools, carrier relationships, and incentive programs. We focus on building long-term partnerships with high-quality agencies that share our values.

While we’re part of the Steadfast Group, we operate independently with a strong U.S. market focus.

This sounds too good to be true… what’s the catch?

There’s no catch—but we’re selective about who we work with. ISU Steadfast has built a high-performing agency network by partnering with agencies that are growth-minded, value transparency, and are committed to long-term success.

We don’t believe in restrictive contracts or hidden fees, but we do believe in aligning with agencies that share our values. If you're serious about agency performance and want a partner that respects your independence, we might be a great fit.

A short conversation will tell us both a lot. Contact us and see if ISU Steadfast is right for your agency.

What’s the process to join ISU Steadfast?

Joining ISU Steadfast starts with a simple conversation. From there, we guide you through a streamlined vetting and onboarding process, tailored to your agency’s specific needs and goals.

To get started, just fill out a quick form and we’ll take it from there.

Join ISU Steadfast

Become a Member

What our members say

Our recent success is due, in large part, to our ISU membership and greater carrier access through its marketplace. Immediately we have been able to secure better terms and pricing for our clients, place business we would not have been able to without membership and made it possible to win new clients.

Thanks again for the great opportunity to join the ISU community. It has spurred us on to new levels of growth that would not have been achieved otherwise and we look forward to our years of partnership ahead!

Joe Emerich,

Founding Partner, Xartis Group

At our agency, it is about serving our clients and taking care of them. When we see a deposit of commission, we know we are saving customers more than making revenue and we value that ISU allow us to do that.

With ISU we have the markets and access that allows us to serve our clients in other states, and that’s a game changer.

James R. MacRae,

Agency President, James R. MacRae Agency

As a newer, boutique agency focused on the middle market, most aggregators couldn’t get their heads around what we’re building. ISU’s professionalism, longevity, and scale set them apart from other networks that were either commission clubs for large agencies or raw appointment access for small agencies. It was clear that the team have built something different and know that ISU are the best fit as we continue our growth, independently, over the next century.

Richard Stein Jr,

President, Wellhouse Company

29 Aug, 2025

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ISU Steadfast Member Agencies Shine in 2025 Best Practices Study

ISU Steadfast is proud to announce, and congratulate 18 network members featured in the 2025 Best Practices Study, conducted by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) and Reagan Consulting.

19 Aug, 2025

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