We do not list businesses for sale. This page is for buyers: what insurance agencies actually sell for, what to check, how deals are financed, and where listings appear. Register below to hear when we publish new data for buyers.
The market at a glance
What insurance agencies sell for
| Deal size / buyer | Price or multiple | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Main Street sales, 2021-2025 (sold) | 1.88x-3.44x SDE (median 2.7x) |
What to check before you make an offer
- Key metric: Commission revenue by line (commercial P&L, personal lines, benefits, life), retention, carrier contracts, book ownership (independent vs captive)
- Upside sign: High retention and a commercial lines book
- Upside sign: Carrier contracts the buyer can keep or replicate
- Red flag: A captive book the agent does not actually own
- Red flag: Concentration in one carrier or a few large accounts
- Red flag: Producers with no non-solicit agreements
Transfer issues that can stop a closing
| Issue | What to know | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Agency and producer licenses | Producer licenses are personal. An agency entity license requires a designated responsible licensed producer under the NAIC uniform business entity application used by states. | NAIC Uniform Application for Business Entity License (designated responsible licensed producer) |
| Carrier appointments | Carrier contracts do not automatically move to a buyer; each carrier must agree to appoint the new owner. | General practice point |
| Book ownership | Independent agents typically own their book; captive agents often do not. Confirm what your agent agreement says before valuing anything. | General practice point |
How buyers finance these deals
Most Main Street acquisitions are financed with an SBA 7(a) loan plus buyer equity, often with a seller note. Under SBA SOP 50 10 8 the buyer generally needs a 10% equity injection, a seller note can count toward it only if it is on full standby, and earn-outs are not allowed in SBA-financed changes of ownership. Model the note with the seller financing calculator.
Who you are competing with
For larger insurance agencies, you will often bid against organized acquirers - we document 5 of them, from primary sources, on who is buying insurance agency businesses. Individual buyers usually win smaller deals where a platform would pay an add-on multiple.
Where insurance agency listings appear
Buying insurance agency businesses? Register your interest
Get notified when we publish new data on off-market insurance agency businesses and acquirers. We do not list businesses for sale, and we cannot promise that any will become available to you.
Own a insurance agency and thinking of selling?
See a sourced value range for your business in 60 seconds - no email needed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a insurance agency cost to buy?
BizBuySell’s median sale price for insurance agencies sold 2021-2025 was $500,000. Price depends mostly on documented earnings (SDE).
Can I use an SBA loan?
Usually yes for Main Street deals. Under SBA SOP 50 10 8, expect a 10% equity injection; a seller note can count toward it only on full standby, and earn-outs are not permitted in SBA change-of-ownership loans.
Do you have listings?
No. We do not list businesses or broker deals. Listings appear on marketplaces such as BizBuySell and through brokers; see our broker reviews.
Sources
- BizBuySell Valuation Benchmarks - Insurance Agency (accessed 2026-09-23)
- BizBuySell - Business valuation multiples by industry (sold Q3 2021-Q2 2026) (accessed 2026-09-23)
- NAIC Uniform Application for Business Entity License (designated responsible licensed producer) (accessed 2026-09-23)
- SBA SOP 50 10 8 key changes (Whiteford client alert) (accessed 2026-09-23)
- LRM Lender Consultants - SBA change of ownership under SOP 50 10 8.1 (accessed 2026-09-23)