These agents wrote a business plan and method of operation by which agencies would maintain their independence while funneling combined premiums to bring larger volume commitments to the insurance carriers. The group shared this plan with major insurance companies who agreed to it. On October 1, 1997, Combined Agents of America, LLC or CAA was established.

After a great deal of due diligence, CAA, with the help of legal counsel put together an Operating Agreement, Regulation Guidelines, and elected officers. The licensing requirements were met, and CAA began to recruit new members and market the newly founded entity. Strict underwriting requirements have been established for prospective members of CAA. This includes financial and profitable loss ratio analysis. One requirement for membership is that a prospective member be a leader in their respective market. With referrals and assistance from a number of our insurance company friends, CAA has grown from its eight founding members to 44 and approximately $427,000,000 in written premium as of December 31, 2009.

Not only is CAA the leading independent agent with many of the top-rated insurance companies in Texas, it is also one of the fastest growing. CAA has gone to great lengths to strengthen and enhance its relationship with insurance companies and its clients. All of this is accomplished while maintaining independence, and growing their agency's bottom line.

And to think, this is just the beginning.