Retail Agency Program
Exit 1 · Build from the ground up

Build from Scratch.
Build it on your terms.

The Retail Program is our flagship path to ownership — launch your own agency with the full power of an established national brand behind you and earn competitive bonuses from your very first policy.

See what your agency could earn.

Built from the official 2026 Retail Bonus Program guidelines. Adjust the inputs below to model your 3-year income projection across all bonus tiers.

3-Year Retail Income Projector Official 2026 Retail Bonus Program · Tiers A / B / C · Up to $3,500,000 in New Agent Bonuses
75
policies/month · first-year agents average 75/month
$1,800
district avg Jan '26 = $1,800
10.5%
standard P&C NB commission rate
based on your office ZIP code
Startup Bonus Package · Day 1
$11,000 guaranteed
$5,000 Signing + up to $6,000 Exterior Branding
Fast Start Bonus · Pre-Appointment
Up to $10,000
100% bonus on Life & P&C NB commissions as Reserve Agent
Lead Bucks · Over 36 Months
Up to $18,000
$300–$500/month in Agency Growth Lead credits
Quarter Base NB Comm. Tier A % Tier A Total Tier B % Tier B Total Tier C % Tier C Total

* Projections use the official 2026 Retail Bonus Program bonus percentages (340% → 84% over 12 quarters) with 15% quarterly commission growth compounding, based on district average data. Q1 starts at 340% Tier A for all agents. Tier placement from Q2 onward depends on meeting quarterly NB commission AND Life I&P targets AND having 2 L&A staff AND an approved office. Life/Commercial monthly bonuses are capped per the program guidelines. Programs not available in all states. Actual results will vary.

What you need to qualify.

Requirements for Exit 1

$100K Liquid Capital

You simply show $100,000 in accessible funds — you keep every dollar. Bank statements are used to verify, not as a deposit.

Licensing

You only need a Property & Casualty or Life & Health license to get started as a Reserve Agent. You'll need both to transition to full-time agency ownership — resources are available to help you get there.

Agency Office

You'll establish a professional storefront in your community. Full brand standards, signage support, and co-op marketing are provided.

New Business Bonuses

Earn accelerated bonuses on top of base commissions when you hit monthly and annual production milestones. The faster you grow, the more you make.

You keep the $100K

Unlike a franchise fee, the $100K liquid capital requirement is simply shown as proof of financial stability. It stays in your account — you use it to run your business on your own terms.

Who you're building with.

A national carrier with 90+ years behind it

D21 Texas Recruiting & Development is the North Texas recruiting and development district for a national personal-lines insurance carrier with more than 90 years of history, over 19 million customers, and more than 48,000 agency owners across the United States. Agency owners in this district operate under the Retail, Acquisition, Protégé, and Associate Agent programs, complete the carrier's new-agent training curriculum, and are supported by District Managers and Agency Business Consultants.

Common questions.

Exit 1 — common questions

How much money do I need to open an insurance agency in Dallas–Fort Worth?

You need to show $100,000 in liquid capital. You do not spend it or hand it over — bank statements are used to verify financial fitness, and the money stays in your account to run your business. Beyond that, plan for normal startup costs like your office space, signage, and early staffing.

Do I have to give the $100,000 to the company?

No. Unlike a franchise fee, the liquid capital requirement is proof of stability, not a payment. Every dollar remains yours.

What licenses do I need to start a Retail agency in Texas?

You need either a Property & Casualty license or a Life & Health license to begin as a Reserve Agent. Both are required to transition into full-time agency ownership, and the district provides resources to help you get the second one.

Which cities does District 21 cover?

We recruit and support agency owners across the DFW Metroplex — including Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Frisco, Arlington, Irving, McKinney, Denton, Richardson, and the surrounding North Texas communities. Your office location is selected with your District Manager based on where the opportunity is strongest.

Do I need a physical office?

Yes. Retail agency owners establish a professional storefront in their community. Brand standards, signage support, and co-op marketing are provided to help you set it up correctly.

How does the bonus structure work in the early years?

New business bonuses run on a declining scale across your first 12 quarters, starting at the highest tier and stepping down as your renewal base grows. Tier placement from the second quarter onward depends on hitting quarterly new business commission and Life production targets, staffing, and an approved office. Use the calculator above to model your own numbers.

Ready to take the first step?

Fill out the form below and our D21 recruiting team will reach out to discuss the Retail Program with you in detail.

Thank you! We'll be in touch within 1 business day.

Other routes to ownership