Smart Choice has been recognized in Insurance Business America’s 5-Star Networks and Alliances 2026 report, marking the independent insurance agency network’s third year as a 5-Star Network and second consecutive year receiving an All-Star designation.
The annual report evaluates insurance networks and alliances based on feedback from agents across the country. Participants were asked to rate their networks on several areas of performance and service using a scale from 1 to 5. According to Smart Choice, organizations meeting the publication’s required scores across all categories received All-Star recognition.
Founded in 1994, Smart Choice provides independent insurance agencies with access to more than 100 carriers and 300 insurance products across personal, commercial and life insurance markets.
The network’s model allows participating agencies to retain full ownership of their businesses while gaining access to carrier relationships, training, mentorship and support from territory managers.
Ashley Wingate, executive vice president of Sales and Distribution at Smart Choice, said the organization continues to experience growth while expanding opportunities and resources available to independent agents.
Smart Choice also pointed to its carrier partnerships, technology investments and relationship-based approach as important parts of its strategy for supporting agencies as the insurance marketplace continues to change.
The 2026 recognition follows Smart Choice’s recent announcement that it surpassed 12,000 independent agency partnerships and reached its annual recruitment target of 1,000 new agencies earlier than expected.
Information for this article was provided by Smart Choice. Views and claims expressed in this article are those of the source company and do not necessarily reflect the views of AgencyEquity.com. This article may have been edited with the help of AI.
