Throughout July, AIP Marketing Alliance is launching the “Don’t Miss the Boat” series. Our team doesn’t want independent wholesalers and agents to miss out on the opportunity to grow their business, retain their valued agents, and access the carriers, products, and resources that could lead to much success. We are here to help you #STRIVEin25!

As the United States celebrates independence this holiday weekend, AIP Marketing Alliance wants to kick off our “Don’t Miss the Boat” series by focusing on how being an independent wholesaler, agent, or financial professional has many advantages compared to being a “captive” agent.

Typically, captive agencies (you know the names and commercials) aren’t allowed to sell financial products outside of the corporation’s portfolio. They must use the captive’s carriers, which could not be in the best interest of the client.

While some of these captives talk about “bundling” multiple insurance products, your customers and prospects may want to focus more on their retirement planning and not worry about vehicle or home insurance. These professionals also may not be as knowledgeable or focused on life insurance, annuities, long-term care insurance, or even final expense products.

That’s the value of independence in the financial services/insurance industry. Wholesalers and agents can design sales and marketing strategy, choose what products to feature or sell, and create their agency with a focused mindset and the ability to adapt and change with consumers’ mindsets.

One of the challenges of being independent vs. captive involves the support system. A captive provides access to products, sales and marketing services, office support, customer leads, and a “recognized” name/brand in the marketplace.

Guess what?!?!?! AIP Marketing Alliance, an Integrity Company, also has all of those services and more – plus we are a strategic partner of Integrity®, a multi-billion dollar corporation innovating insurance, financial, and investment advisory services. AIPMA shares the “Integrity effect” with our downline independent wholesalers and agents.

AIPMA also bridges the captive gap by providing independents with competitive resources designed to better fit their customers’ and prospects’ best interest – especially when involving retirement planning, protecting their loved ones, and leaving a legacy.

How does AIPMA support independent wholesalers and agents?

• Access to Carriers & Products: We currently are contracted with 70+ insurance carriers nationwide with access to more than 500 through Integrity. Looking for a specific carrier or product? AIPMA can make it happen for you including annuities, life insurance, long-term care insurance, disability insurance, final expense insurance, and even Medicare (for health-focused agencies).
• Customer Service Center: Our experienced Business Development and Case Management staff can help with contracting, new business, illustrations, applications, and support services for your agents. We also have in-house marketing to assist with email, social media, and other sales/marketing materials. Our team answers the phones and your emails plus we pay our commissions correctly and on time!
• Technology: AIPMA has created myAIP, an agent-friendly CRM platform designed to track business for agencies from contracting to application status to paid commissions. We also have the ability to create a customized, secure portal with your branding and products as a one-stop shop for selling life insurance, annuities, and long-term care insurance.
• Integrity Effect: Your agents also could gain access to Integrity’s multiple platforms including LeadCENTER (pre-qualified life/final expense/Medicare leads), LifeCENTER (final expense and life insurance with PlanEnroll customized agent website capabilities), and MedicareCENTER (agent-focused platform to sell Medicare).

AIP Marketing Alliance also supports your independence. You know your business better than us, and as a nationwide distributor, we could have lengthy discussions about everything we could offer to support your operations. However, we stick to conversations to learn more about you, your needs, your agent needs, and then talk about some options where AIPMA can fill potential gaps.

You choose what you want. Don’t need back office support? No problem. Are you only looking for one or two carriers? We can connect those dots. Do you only want a website for your agents to sell annuities? Easy peasy.

Don’t miss the boat this summer. For more than 40 years, AIP Marketing Alliance has supported independent wholesalers and agents nationwide as their desired annuity and life insurance distributor. Looking to jump on board to set your agents up for success for the second half of 2025? Let’s have a conversation about how you can still STRIVE in ’25! Contact Chris Howe, Vice President of Business Development, at (248) 312-2602 or [email protected].

For more than 40 years, AIP Marketing Alliance (AIPMA), an Integrity Company, serves as a premier life insurance and annuity distribution partner to provide full-service support to independent wholesalers, brokerages and agents from our Troy, Michigan office. NOT AFFILIATED WITH OR ENDORSED BY THE GOVERNMENT OR THE MEDICARE PROGRAM.

AIP Marketing Alliance is committed to STRIVE in ’25 as we support our independent insurance wholesalers and agents. Visit our blog on aipma.com to stay informed on these upcoming launches and learn why wholesalers nationwide choose AIPMA as their distributor for selling life insurance, annuities, long-term care insurance, final expense, and much more. Ask about our lead services, myAIP CRM platform with customizable recruiter portal, and online tools/resources designed to grow your business. The difference is personal.

AIP Marketing Alliance, an Integrity Company, has developed this electronic communication for informational and educational use only. Be advised, AIP Marketing Alliance, Inc. does not provide legal advice, tax advice, or guidance on issues involving securities laws, insurance laws nor securities or insurance regulations. This material should not be relied on as providing any such advice or guidance to either agents or retail consumers. Within this communication, AIPMA shares links for usage as information only. This content should not be interpreted as solicitation to purchase life insurance, annuities, or other products or as advice designed to meet your clients’ specific needs. Content involving fiduciary, tax, or legal advice should be directed to your legal, tax, and financial professionals for specific advice or product recommendations. AIPMA will not accept any legal liability resulting from any use of 3rd party material(s).