The credential
The practice standards
Eight commitments about how a certified agency does its work. Every agency in this directory has read them, signed them, and agreed to be measured against them. They are the entire content of the badge.
Version v1. Agencies re-attest annually, and any agency that signed an earlier version keeps a record of exactly what they signed.
- 01
No state-minimum limits by default
Liability is recommended at a meaningful floor — 100/300/100 auto and $300,000 home liability or higher. A client may choose less only after the higher recommendation was presented and their choice was documented in writing.
- 02
Written declination letters
Every recommended coverage a client refuses — umbrella, UM/UIM, higher liability, water backup, replacement cost, flood, earthquake, or any recommended endorsement — is documented on a signed or acknowledged declination kept in the client file.
- 03
Full coverage review at quote
Every quote presents at least one adequately protected option alongside any price-driven option. We never present price alone.
- 04
Replacement cost, not market value
Dwellings are insured to replacement cost. The difference between replacement cost and market value is explained to the client in writing.
- 05
UM/UIM matched to liability
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is offered at limits matching liability. Any reduction or rejection requires a documented declination.
- 06
Exposures disclosed even when not sold
Flood, earthquake, and other identified exposures are disclosed to the client whether or not our agency can place the coverage.
- 07
Documented annual review
Every active client is offered a coverage review at least once a year. The offer is logged whether or not the client accepts.
- 08
Claims advocacy
We stay engaged through the claim — explaining the process, following up with the adjuster, and telling the client the truth when a loss is not covered, including what would have covered it.
Why a declination letter matters to you
Most coverage disputes are not about whether a policy paid what it promised. They are about a conversation nobody wrote down — a coverage that was offered and turned down, or was never offered at all, and neither party can now prove which. A declination letter is a short record that a coverage was recommended, explained, priced and refused. It protects you from a surprise at claim time, and it protects the agency from a claim it cannot defend.
If you are working with a certified agency and you decline something they recommended, you should receive one. If you did not, that is worth raising with them.