1-800-INSURANCE today launched a searchable agent directory designed to help independent insurance agencies appear in local search results alongside—or ahead of—captive franchises with corporate marketing budgets.
Mobile searches for local agents hit record highs
Mobile queries containing "insurance near me" have grown by over 100% in the past two years, according to Google data, yet independent agencies often lack the digital infrastructure to capture this surging demand. The new directory bridges this gap by providing verified listings with accurate business information, priority placement options, and outbound website links that drive qualified traffic.
"Independent agencies serve local shoppers best—but only if they can be found," said Kirk Brunson, co-founder of 1-800-INSURANCE. "When consumers search 'car insurance near me' or 'homeowners insurance in their city,' they're looking for local expertise. Our directory helps independents show up in these searches before captive franchises do."
Research drives decisions, but shoppers need agents to buy
While 89% of insurance customers research online before committing to a service, according to sagefrog.com research, 74% of consumers who research insurance online ultimately prefer to speak with a live agent to make a purchase, per J.D. Power data. The directory capitalizes on this dynamic by surfacing local agencies at the exact moment shoppers transition from research to action.
Free and Pro membership tiers serve agencies at every stage
The directory offers two membership levels:
- Network Member (Free): Verified listing badge, business hours, coverage lines, and standard placement in search results
- Pro Member ($9.99/month per location): Everything in Network Member, plus priority map and list placement, agency highlights, team bios, FAQs, and verified outbound website links
"Sixty-eight percent of insurance consumers don't have one company in mind when they start searching," Brunson noted, citing LSA research. "Directory visibility captures these undecided shoppers and routes them to agencies equipped to serve their local market."
Network Partners receive Pro membership at no additional cost
Agencies that reserve exclusive territory for inbound 1-800-INSURANCE call routing automatically receive Pro Member directory placement across all locations in their market, eliminating the need for separate directory fees while maximizing local visibility.
Independent agencies can claim their free listing or upgrade to Pro Member at join1800insurance.com/products/directory.