About

These agencies were the product of the independent agency system of distribution for mutual and stock insurance companies alike that existed during the 1950’s to 1970’s. Aetna, Travelers and other large publicly held insurance companies were committed to the agency system of distribution from their very inception through present day.

The carriers would develop, train and often finance individuals to enter the independent agency system so as to assure continuity and perpetuation of their distribution channels.

Insurance carriers accomplished this by allowing entrepreneurial agents to start their own businesses by providing office space, clerical assistance and management expertise to the agent in addition to the products and services to sell. This arrangement - known as “house agency” was very effective in developing many agencies that currently exist today. When the agent’s business generated sufficient revenue to survive on its own, the firm would move into the community, hire staff and build the business. Sullivan Group’s predecessor agencies were founded on this concept.

The house agency system gave rise to many independent insurance agencies and, as such, created many job opportunities within the industry.

There was inefficiency to the extent that every agency had to staff for claims, client service, accounting and clerical. In 1968 William R. Carrick, a graduate of Yale and the Wharton School of Management William F. Sullivan and Robert F. Green (a Clark alumnus and Wharton School graduate) designed the cluster service company concept upon which Sullivan Insurance Group was built. Sullivan, Carrick and Green’s vision was one of creating operating efficiencies by forming a service company that would offer operational efficiencies to several agencies - thereby eliminating the duplication of staffing and non-insurance related functions.

Worcester County Insurance Agencies (WCIA) was formed to provide client service, accounting and administration for up to seven independent insurance agencies in Worcester County.

In addition, the individual agency contracts with insurance carriers were consolidated through Worcester County Insurance Agencies to allow greater volume and improved service programs with the insurance carriers.

Second Generation

Under the service company concept WCIA flourished. During the soft insurance market cycle of the 1970’s the firm grew and controlled expenses.

The next challenge was achieving internal growth and creating a perpetuation plan for the agency principals.

During the 1980’s the independent agency system lost the support of the insurance companies relative to the recruitment and training of its producers (individuals who generate business for the firm and provide risk management service for their clients).

In addition, if a firm was lucky enough to hire a quality producer, retaining his/her services was difficult. Ultimately entrepreneurial producers would search out their own opportunity to create an equity position or buy an existing firm. As such, many firms lacked the capital resources to recruit, hire and train quality professionals that could develop and service business.

Under the “satellite producer” arrangement (a concept created by The Travelers Insurance Co. and embraced by Mr. Sullivan), insurance producers would be recruited and given ownership in their business from day one. These individuals thus had the opportunity to create equity by building their businesses. WCIA extended the service center concept to recruit, train and develop multiple producers. This proved successful in attracting it’s current principals.

In 1991, Green Isenberg Small Insurance Agency and The Carrick Agency were acquired and combined with the William F. Sullivan Agency to form the Sullivan Insurance Group.

Today, Sullivan Group employs about 50 people in offices in Worcester, Needham and Orleans. Our production staff consists of 19 partners. Our affiliate company Sullivan Benefits, who provides employee benefits services to midsize companies, employs an additional 10 people in their Marlborough, MA office.