Frequently Asked Questions

If I don’t have insurance experience, can I still run my operation, or do I have to hire someone who does?

Each Brightway location is required to have a Designated Agency Principal (DAP) to run the day-to-day operations of the business. The DAP must have P&C insurance experience. The DAP may be you or you may hire someone else. All DAPs must be properly licensed, complete all required training and be approved in writing by us.

How can I grow my agency staff? Will Brightway help me?

Yes! Brightway has a dedicated in-house recruiting team that will help you recruit, train and onboard talented producers to help you scale your agency. Our free Producer Placement Program is available to all agency owners.

What products will I be able to sell?

Products you'll be able to sell include:

- Property insurance (Home, Flood, Renters, Condo, Personal Articles)

- Vehicle insurance (Auto, RV, Motorcycle, Boat)

- Life, Umbrella and Small Commercial/ Business insurance

Is financing available for the franchise fee?

Yes, Brightway offers flexible financing options for qualified candidates. You may also be able to finance through SBA-approved lenders or third-party institutions that understand the Brightway franchise model.

Does Brightway offer any annual sales conferences?

Yes! Each year, Brightway agency owners and producers gather for an annual kick-off event. It is a great opportunity to learn from Brightway’s best agents and to get all the latest updates from Brightway’s Home Office. We highly encourage all agency owners to attend this fantastic event!

Can I convert my agency(ies) in the future?

Office Agency franchise owners who have paid their franchise fee in full may convert to our Retail Agency model by paying a fee of $20,000 or you may choose to finance the fee through Brightway. All franchise owners must meet our then current operational and performance criteria to convert to a different model. Your Brightway Franchise Consultant will go over more details on our financing options with you.

What’s the difference between your Office Agency and Retail Agency models other than the commission structure and staffing requirements?

Our Retail Agency model requires you to operate your business in a retail space with some exterior signage while our Office Agency model requires you to operate in a professional office space with no signage requirements. A typical Retail Agency will occupy approximately 900 to 1,300 square feet of retail space and, most frequently, are in strip malls or similar buildings, but may be a free-standing building. Our Retail Agency model also gives you exclusive access to our Horizons bonus commissions program. A Brightway Franchise Sales Representative can share more details with you about this lucrative program. A typical Office Agency will occupy approximately 100 to 600 square feet of professional office space.

What CRM does Brightway use?

Brightway uses Fusion, a proprietary, cloud-based platform built specifically for Brightway agents. Fusion integrates directly with a back-end agency management system and combines CRM, policy management, and reporting into one seamless system. It simplifies quoting, tracks customer interactions, manages renewals, and helps franchisees run efficient, data-driven operations.

Can I work from an existing real estate office?

Yes. You may operate from an existing real estate office if the Brightway agency is established as a separate business with its own entrance, signage, branding, and full compliance with all regulatory and operational requirements.

Can I work from home?

No. Brightway agencies must operate from a dedicated professional office space or retail location to meet carrier expectations, support team collaboration, and present a professional presence to clients.

Can I sell health insurance through Brightway?

No. Brightway’s product offerings focus on property & casualty insurance. Health insurance is not included in the core product lineup and cannot be sold through a Brightway franchise.

Does Brightway offer commercial insurance?

Yes. Brightway has a strong lineup of small/main street lines of commercial products and carrier partners. While every agency begins with property and casualty insurance, the ability to write commercial policies depends on your prior experience and successful completion of Brightway’s commercial training program.

Does Brightway provide accounting support?

Yes, Brightway handles all of the commission accounting, including tracking commission production per producer and reconciling commissions with carriers.

What carriers will I have access to, and can I choose which ones to work with?

Brightway’s strong carrier network provides access to a wide range of products and pricing options, allowing you to offer competitive solutions tailored to your customers’ needs. Carrier access and selection depend on your market and experience—some appointments are automatic, while others are performance-based. We guide you through the process to ensure your carrier portfolio aligns with market demand and your goals.

Can I sell my franchise?

Yes. You may sell your franchise to an approved buyer, pending Brightway’s consent and compliance with the Franchise Agreement. We offer guidance throughout the transition process to ensure a smooth handoff. In addition, you can hand down the franchise to a family member or friend without any cost allowing the franchise to continue its legacy.

Do I need to hire staff right away?

We strongly encourage hiring producers as quickly as you are able, to help accelerate growth.

Do you help with lead generation?

Yes. Brightway provides marketing support through cross-sell and winback campaigns to help increase your multi-line ratio and retention. We provide training and resources to help you build a strong referral network. You’ll also enjoy the advantage of a personalized website, complete with an integrated online quoting form.

What support will I get after opening?

The Brightway Promise is that you’ll always have the support you need to grow. You’ll receive one-on-one coaching from dedicated Regional Sales Leaders, access to Brightway University training, Accounting and Marketing support, and much more. Our Engagement Center Team of licensed insurance professionals take care of post-bind servicing and renewals so you can focus on growth. You'll also benefit from our proprietary technology to help streamline your quoting and operations, as well as our network of over 300 agency owners.

Do I need to be licensed to apply?

No. You do not need to hold a license at the time of application, but it is encouraged if you plan to be the Designated Agency Principal. An active P&C license in the state your agency will be operating must be obtained in order to start Brightway’s Training process prior to opening.

Is full-time commitment required?

Yes. A full-time commitment is required by the Designated Agency Principal (DAP), who can be an owner/operator or someone hired to managed daily operations Hands-on leadership is essential for long-term success and business growth.

Do I get exclusive territory?

No, Brightway does not grant exclusive territories. However, we take active measures to manage the number of franchise locations in any given area to prevent market oversaturation and protect the interests of existing franchisees.

What is the average income for a franchise owner?

Income can vary significantly based on your market, agency type, experience, how many producers you have on staff, and how much effort you put into growing your book of business. While we don’t guarantee earnings, you can review Item 19 of the FDD for historical financial data from existing franchises to understand potential performance.

What is the total initial investment required?

Startup costs typically range from $50,000 to $200,000, depending on how many producers you want to start with, how much you want to invest in marketing, and whether or not you select a professional space or retail location for your agency. This estimate includes the franchise fee, office space setup, required technology and software, initial marketing efforts, and working capital for the first 6 months of operations.

I’m a veteran, do you offer a discount?

Thank you for your service. And, yes, as a veteran you will enjoy a 10% discount off the franchise fee paid upon signing.

If I don’t have insurance experience, can I still run my operation, or do I have to hire someone who does?

Insurance experience is not required to own a Brightway agency. However, each agency must have a licensed and qualified individual to manage day-to-day operations and dedicate their full-time best efforts to the business —this person is referred to as the Designated Agency Principal (DAP). In some markets, the DAP is required to have Property & Casualty insurance experience. You can serve in this role yourself if you meet the requirements, or you may hire someone to fulfill it. We’ll help you understand what’s needed based on your market and support you through the process.

Do you offer a multi-unit program?

Yes. Qualified franchise owners have the opportunity to open an additional Brightway location at no initial franchise fee, provided certain performance and operational criteria are met. This means that you'll be able to dedicate all of your resources to growth and expansion.

What is the contract length and what are my options if I want to retire?

Our contract length is five years with the opportunity to renew for an unlimited number of five-year terms at no cost. You may also sell or gift your franchise at any point in time, pending approval from Brightway. At every renewal term, or every five years, you may also take a guaranteed buyout from Brightway.

How long will it take to open my agency?

We estimate that it will take approximately 60-120 days from the date you sign your Franchise Agreement to open your Brightway Location.

Can you describe the training I will receive?

From the moment you sign your Franchise Agreement, our Agency Growth & Development team will begin your customized training process. The first step is a Welcome Webinar during which you’ll learn what to expect. All Training is provided either through our Brightway University Online or virtually, saving you time and expense and getting your operation off the ground as quickly as possible.

Are there limitations on where I can open my Brightway location?

Yes, there are limitations in certain markets where there are existing Brightway locations. Our Onboarding Team will work with you in selecting the best location for your office.