Valuation and Perpetuation - Ohio Insurance Agents

IA Valuations’ Valuation Views: Q2 Marketplace Report

In the newest edition of Valuation Views, we explore what improving agency profitability could mean for value creation in today’s market. Backed by industry data and valuation insight, this quarter’s report examines the significant rebound in contingency revenue, shifting carrier priorities, and the growing importance of organic growth as market conditions continue to soften. If you’re focused on building a stronger, more valuable agency, this report offers key insights you won’t want to miss.

View Report

The Risk Isn’t a Lack of Value. It’s a Lack of Planning.

The value of independent insurance agencies remains strong, but many agency owners still lack a documented perpetuation or succession plan. The earlier the planning begins, the more options agency owners have to protect value, preserve relationships, and achieve their long-term goals.

You Value Your Clients, We Value Your Agency.

Every major decision begins with understanding value. Whether you’re planning for growth, ownership transitions, internal perpetuation, or future strategic opportunities, IA Valuations helps agency owners make informed decisions with confidence.

Through valuation-based planning, we combine industry insight, market intelligence, and practical guidance to help agency owners strengthen value, prepare for the future, and protect the legacy they’ve built.

Why Understand Your Agency’s Value?

Your agency’s value influences more than a future sale. It serves as the foundation for many of the most important decisions you’ll make as an owner, from growth strategies and ownership transitions to perpetuation planning and long-term business goals.

Strategic Growth Planning
Ownership Transition & Succession Planning
Fair Market Value & Market Position
Evaluating Future Opportunities

How Valuation-Based Planning Supports Your Agency

Growth & Business Planning

Establish a baseline for growth and identify the operational and financial factors that drive value.

Internal Perpetuation

Create a roadmap for the next generation of ownership while ensuring a fair and sustainable transition.

External Sale and M&A Planning

Understand your market position and evaluate opportunities with greater confidence.

Risk & Continuity Planning

Protect your business with contingency planning, buy-sell agreements, and succession strategies.

Meet The Experts

Craig Niess, CVA, MBA

Director of Business Planning and Valuation

Craig Niess is OIA and IA Valuation’s seasoned Director of Business planning and Valuations. With more than a decade of financial and operational consulting experience with independent agents and brokers, he has spent most of his career specializing in valuations and perpetuation planning.

Craig joined OIA in 2017 and has performed over 300 valuations since joining and more than 600 throughout his career. Craig holds a BA in Economics from Ohio Wesleyan University, an MBA in Finance from the University of Iowa, and earned the prestigious Certified Valuation Analyst designation (CVA).

Craig’s experience, expertise, and specialization in independent insurance agencies and brokers makes him an invaluable asset for agency owners across the country.

Jarod Steed

Business Planning and Valuation Analyst

Jarod Steed is the Business Planning & Valuation Analyst for OIA and the IA Valuations team. A graduate of The Ohio State University, he holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialization in finance and a minor in economics.

Jarod’s professional background includes accounting and operations analysis in the Insurtech industry. He has a passion for delivering insightful numbers and thoughtful analysis.

Jarod enjoys working closely with independent insurance agents in the valuation, consulting, and M&A space and helping them understand their agency better.

Jeff Smith, JD, CIC, CAE

Chief Executive Officer

Jeff Smith serves as Chief Executive Officer for OIA and IA Valuations. He is responsible for leading the organization’s strategic initiatives and day to day operations. As CEO of IA Valuations, Smith has consulted and reviewed over 200 agency valuations for independent agents across the US. Smith provides insights into the agency’s operations, risk factors, and legal guidance on how to perpetuate and maximize value in a sale.

Smith graduated with honors from Kent State University and Capital University Law School with a concentration in government relations. He is a licensed P&C insurance agent, Certified Insurance Counselor Designee, Attorney, and Certified Association Executive. Smith is an active member of the Ohio State Bar Association Insurance Committee, Ohio Society of Association Executives, and Ohio Lobbying Association.

Let’s Hear it From your Peers

Don’t just take it from us, hear from your peers on the importance of having a valuation and the value it has created for their agency and operations.

“Detailed insights, great understanding of my agency and how it operates, detailed explanation of the results and what went into the calculation, and a meaningful discussion of the risks of waiting too long to transition the agency. Time and money well spent.” – Perk Reichley, Agency Owner, Reichley Insurance Agency

“When we started working with Craig, Jeff, and the IA Valuations team 5 years ago, internal perpetuation seemed like a daunting task. However, over the years we have worked with them to understand our agency value, address our risk factors, implement a growth strategy, and execute our internal perpetuation. The annual valuation has been the guiding document for our business planning, partner development, and perpetuation planning. Whatever your reason may be, we highly recommend every agency get a valuation.” – Cameron Caryer, Agency Owner, Frost Insurance Agency

“We are so appreciative of the IA Valuations team. We’d been doing our valuations internally, and they helped us better understand the value of our agency. The IA Valuations team provided us with great insights to keep growing in the ever-changing marketplace. We plan to continue to engage with the team to assist with our internal perpetuation moving forward since we were so impressed with their valuation service. We would recommend this service to all agencies looking to gain insights on their value, perpetuation, and prosperity of their agency.” – Rudy Keister, Agency Owner, Ruese Insurance Agency

“IA Valuations has continuously provided Frost Insurance Agency with opportunities to expand and grow our business. This was our 5th year in a row getting a valuation, and I can’t say enough good things about their service. We have built a strong professional relationship with them, and our agency is better off because of their perpetuation planning services.” – Rachel Moll, Agency Owner, Frost Insurance Agency

“The OIA has been an instrumental partner that’s helped facilitate our growth and forced us to think strategically about our operations. Specifically, Craig Niess facilitated agency acquisitions for us by leveraging his expert valuation & consulting services. Literally cannot recommend this organization and the people, more highly!” – Matt Simon, Agency Owner, CoverLink

“Craig Niess provided the expertise we needed for an updated agency valuation and buy-sell agreement. They helped address our agency’s specific needs. We would recommend using Craig for these services. He knows and understands our business. The OIA provides very good services at a great value for agents!” John Flickinger, Agency Owner, K&J Flickinger Insurance

“The IA system is constantly evolving and we are lucky to have the OIA to provide guidance to our members. I’d like to specifically recognize their valuation services for their time and efforts to assist IA’s in growing their agency operations in Ohio and beyond.” Mike Humphry, Iroquois Group

Valuation & Perpetuation

IA Valuations’ Valuation Views: Q2 Marketplace Report

The Risk Isn’t a Lack of Value. It’s a Lack of Planning.