How to Finance a We Insure Franchise: Back-Office Agency Model
By Marc Cornella
A We Insure franchise loan finances an insurance agency in which the owner concentrates on selling while the franchisor’s central team handles much of the policy service work. That split shapes the start-up budget, the staffing plan and the way lenders judge the deal, because the agency’s value comes from licensed selling and renewals rather than equipment or real estate.
This article explains how the We Insure model works, what the franchisor publishes and what it leaves to the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), how SBA and conventional loans fit an agency start-up or purchase, and how to prepare a loan request.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by We Insure; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s website and disclosure document can change, loan programs vary, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice.
We Insure Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: an insurance agency franchise offering personal and commercial lines through multiple carriers, with a central service team behind each agency.
- System size: the franchisor’s franchise site cites 140+ agencies, more than 1 million policies written and 700+ team members.
- Headquarters: Jacksonville, Florida.
- Launch timing: most owners launch within 60 to 90 days, depending on state licensing and training, according to the franchise site.
- Experience: the company says sales experience helps but is not required.
- Initial fee, commission split and total investment: not published on the franchise site; see Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S1907, with no additional notes.
What Is We Insure?
We Insure is an insurance agency franchisor based in Jacksonville, Florida. The company describes its concept as the idea of a former captive agent: combine the carrier choice of an independent agency with the back-end support of a captive model. Agencies offer home, auto, flood and commercial coverage, along with products such as life, renters, condo, boat, motorcycle and RV policies.
Who does what. According to the franchise site, the owner’s job is to build client relationships, quote and close new business, cross-sell existing clients and grow a referral network. The central team handles claims support, billing and payments, policy documents and ID cards, endorsements and policy changes, policy and billing questions, and renewal processing.
Technology. Owners get a proprietary quote engine, a CRM for clients and leads, carrier portal access, marketing systems and a dashboard with commission accounting.
How lenders view the model. Because service work is centralized, an owner may need a smaller staff than a traditional agency, which helps cash flow. But revenue depends on commissions, and the franchise site notes that renewal income is not guaranteed and depends on retention and product mix. Lenders focus on the owner’s sales ability, licensing and liquidity for start-ups, and on the book of business for acquisitions.
We Insure Franchise Costs
Initial franchise fee
The franchise site does not publish the initial franchise fee. Item 5 of the FDD lists it, along with any discounts and refund terms.
Office and build-out
Many agencies operate from a small retail or office space. Costs include a lease deposit, modest build-out, signage, furniture and computers. Ask whether the franchisor requires a storefront or allows a smaller office, since this drives the start-up budget.
Licensing and training
Owners and any producers need state insurance licenses. Budget for pre-licensing courses, exams, appointments and travel for franchisor training. The franchise site notes that launch timing depends on state licensing and training completion.
Working capital and total investment
Commission revenue builds slowly as a new agency writes policies and renewals accumulate. Working capital to cover rent, payroll, marketing and the owner’s living expenses during that ramp-up is often the largest real need. Item 7 of the FDD shows the total estimated investment and typically breaks out:
- Initial franchise fee
- Lease deposits and office build-out
- Furniture, computers and phones
- Signage and grand opening marketing
- Licensing, training travel and professional fees
- Insurance, including errors and omissions coverage
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Insurance franchises often charge through a commission split rather than a traditional royalty, and the franchise site describes We Insure’s splits only as “industry-leading” without giving figures. Item 6 of the FDD will show the split on new and renewal business, any technology or marketing fees, and transfer and renewal fees.
How lenders factor them in. A lender looks at the agency’s share of commissions after the split, then subtracts rent, payroll and the owner’s draw to find cash available for debt service. Understanding how commissions are paid, how often and with what lag is essential. Our article on how lenders view insurance agency commission revenue explains this in detail.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
The franchise site does not publish net worth or liquidity minimums. It says sales experience helps but is not required, and that comprehensive training and proven systems support new owners. Ask the franchise team for current financial requirements before applying for a loan.
The approval process. Expect an inquiry, introductory calls, FDD review, an application and background review, then licensing and training before launch. Because insurance licensing is regulated by each state, confirm timing in your state.
Ways to Own a We Insure Agency
A new agency. Most owners start from scratch. Lenders underwrite on the owner’s background, the budget and a realistic sales ramp. See our insurance agency start-up financing options.
Buying an existing agency. Purchasing an operating We Insure agency gives the buyer a book of policies and a revenue history. A key question is who owns the book and what transfers in the sale; review the franchise agreement carefully. Our page on insurance agency acquisition financing covers how these deals are structured, and our guide to buying a franchise resale explains transfer approvals.
Converting a career. Captive agents and licensed producers sometimes move into a franchise to gain carrier choice. Review any non-compete or non-solicitation obligations from a prior role before borrowing, since they may limit which clients you can bring.
Financing Options for a We Insure Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. With the brand on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan can cover the franchise fee, office set-up and working capital, and can finance the purchase of an existing agency’s book.
SBA 504 loans. The 504 program finances owner-occupied real estate and long-lived fixed assets. It generally fits only if a growing owner buys an office building.
Conventional term loans. Owners with strong credit or collateral may use a conventional business loan, especially to acquire an agency with steady renewal revenue.
Equipment financing. Agency equipment is light: computers, phones, furniture and signage. Small purchases are usually folded into the main loan rather than financed separately.
Working capital and lines of credit. A line of credit can smooth gaps between writing policies and receiving commissions. Learn about insurance agency working capital.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may carry part of the price of an existing agency, sometimes tied to retention of the book. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA rules may limit them.
SBA Loans for We Insure Franchisees
SBA lenders generally need a franchise brand to appear on the SBA Franchise Directory before making an SBA-guaranteed loan to its franchisees. A listing clears the franchise agreement for SBA review; it does not approve any borrower.
Directory status. We Insure is listed under code S1907 with no additional notes. In plain English, its franchise documents have been accepted for SBA lending without special conditions. Confirm the listing at application, because directory status can change.
Program size and tips. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. For a We Insure franchise loan, prepare a personal financial statement, recent tax returns, a resume, proof of licensing or a licensing plan, the FDD receipt, a budget matching Item 7 and monthly projections. Our SBA loan calculator provides planning estimates only, not offers.
How Lenders Evaluate a We Insure Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit, tax returns and debts and typically require personal guarantees. Licensing background checks also matter in insurance.
Net worth and liquidity. Because commissions ramp slowly, lenders want an equity injection plus reserves to cover living expenses during the early months.
Industry and management experience. Sales, customer service or insurance experience strengthens a request, even though the company says sales experience is not required.
Business plan and projections. Project policies written per month, average premium by line, commission rates after the split, retention, and the time it takes renewals to build. The franchise site illustrates that revenue grows as renewals accumulate on top of new sales in later years.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders focus on Items 5, 6, 7, 17 and 21, plus book-ownership and transfer terms. Review Items 3 and 4 as well. Our article on reading an FDD for financing explains what matters.
Historical financials for acquisitions. Expect to provide commission statements, carrier production reports, retention data and tax returns for the agency being purchased.
The Book of Business: The Core Asset
An insurance agency’s main asset is its book: the policies in force, their renewal patterns and the relationships behind them. For a start-up, the book is built from zero, so the loan funds a ramp-up period rather than equipment. For an acquisition, the price usually reflects the book’s revenue and quality. Lenders look at carrier concentration, line mix, client concentration and retention when they value it.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development
The franchise site says there are no regional restrictions. Growth may come from hiring producers inside one agency or opening additional offices. Ask the franchisor how additional agencies are priced and approved.
Financing additional agencies. Once your first agency has commission history, lenders can underwrite it alongside a new office or an acquired book. Our article on multi-unit franchise financing explains how lenders handle growing operators.
Real-World Scenarios
A captive agent going independent. A licensed agent opens a We Insure agency with an SBA 7(a) loan covering set-up costs and a working capital reserve, after confirming that prior non-solicitation terms do not limit the plan.
A career changer with sales experience. A former sales manager earns a license, opens an agency and relies on the central service team so the first hires can focus on selling.
A buyer acquiring an operating agency. A buyer purchases an existing agency with a renewal history; the lender reviews commission statements and retention, and the seller carries a subordinate note.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Borrowing before confirming the commission split in Item 6
- Underestimating the time it takes for renewals to build
- Leaving too little working capital for living expenses during the ramp-up
- Ignoring non-compete or non-solicitation terms from a prior job
- Buying an agency without confirming who owns the book
For more pitfalls in this industry, read common insurance agency loan mistakes.
Next Steps to Finance Your We Insure Franchise
Step 1: Request the FDD. Contact the franchise team and get the current disclosure document.
Step 2: Review Items 5, 6, 7, 17 and 19. Confirm the fee, commission split, start-up budget, term and any financial performance information with a franchise attorney.
Step 3: Plan your licensing. Map out the state licensing steps and timeline.
Step 4: Build projections. Model policies, premiums, commissions and retention month by month.
Step 5: Talk with a financing specialist. Compare SBA 7(a), conventional and working capital options.
Step 6: Apply and coordinate. Submit your We Insure franchise loan package and align closing with signing, licensing and training.
We Insure Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a We Insure franchise cost?
The franchise site does not publish a total. Item 7 of the current FDD lists the estimated initial investment.
What is the We Insure franchise fee?
Item 5 of the FDD discloses the initial franchise fee and any discounts.
Does We Insure charge a royalty?
The franchise site describes “industry-leading commission splits” without figures. Item 6 discloses the split and any other ongoing fees.
How much liquid capital do I need?
The franchise site does not state minimums. Ask the franchise team, and plan reserves for the commission ramp-up.
Can I get an SBA loan for a We Insure franchise?
Yes. We Insure is on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S1907 with no additional notes, so SBA lenders can consider a 7(a) loan, subject to your qualifications.
Do I need insurance experience?
The company says sales experience helps but is not required. You will need the required state licenses.
How quickly can I open?
Most owners launch within 60 to 90 days, depending on state licensing and training, according to the franchise site.
Can I buy an existing We Insure agency?
Yes, if one is for sale and the franchisor approves the transfer. Lenders will review commission history and retention.
Does the franchisor offer financing?
Review Item 10 of the FDD, which discloses any financing the franchisor offers.
How long is the franchise term?
Item 17 of the FDD sets out the term, renewal and transfer conditions.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
Check Item 19 to see whether the franchisor makes financial performance representations.
Final Thoughts
A We Insure franchise loan is really a bet on the owner’s ability to sell and retain policies. Confirm the commission split and costs in the FDD, plan licensing early and keep enough working capital to carry the agency until renewals build.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and insurance agency financing solutions.
