Growing an independent agency means taking on more complex accounts, expanding into new industries, and competing for business that once felt out of reach. Access to excess and surplus insurance companies and specialty insurance programs makes those opportunities possible.
Once you’re working with a wholesale partner, that relationship becomes part of every specialty submission your agency places. Underwriting collaboration, communication, technology, digital workflows, and submission support all influence how efficiently business moves from submission to binding. Choosing the right wholesale partner influences how efficiently your agency writes excess and surplus (E&S) business and how confidently you pursue new opportunities.
Why Brokers Need Strong E&S Partners Today
Independent agencies are encountering a wider range of specialty risks than ever before. Contractors with unique operations, transportation accounts, manufacturers, vacant properties, environmental exposures, and professional liability risks frequently fall outside standard market appetite. As agencies expand into new industries and pursue larger commercial accounts, access to experienced excess and surplus insurance companies is essential to serving clients whose risks require specialized underwriting expertise.
Market access, however, is only one piece of the equation. Specialty business frequently involves unique underwriting considerations, additional documentation, and carrier-specific requirements that benefit from collaboration before a submission is presented to a carrier. An experienced wholesale partner helps brokers identify appropriate markets, strengthen submissions, and navigate underwriting requirements that vary from one carrier to another.
Why Brokers Choose Cochrane & Company
Cochrane & Company has built its business around helping independent brokers succeed. Experienced underwriting teams, broad market access, practical technology, and responsive service all work together to help brokers write specialty business more efficiently, serve clients with confidence, and pursue new opportunities.
More Than 60 Years of E&S Expertise
For more than six decades, Cochrane & Company has focused exclusively on helping independent brokers place specialty business. That experience has shaped lasting carrier relationships, practical underwriting knowledge, and a deep understanding of the challenges brokers face when standard markets are no longer an option.
Cochrane’s underwriting teams work collaboratively with brokers throughout the submission process, helping place difficult risks, identify appropriate markets, answer coverage questions, and strengthen submissions before they reach the carrier. That collaborative approach helps brokers avoid unnecessary delays, focus submissions on the markets most likely to respond, and move complex accounts forward more efficiently.
Responsive Service That Keeps Business Moving
Specialty submissions rarely follow a script. Questions arise, underwriting requirements evolve, and brokers often need guidance before a submission reaches the carrier. Having direct access to experienced underwriting professionals — who actually answer the phone and respond to emails — helps resolve those questions quickly and keeps business moving.
Brokers can reach Cochrane’s underwriting teams throughout the submission process. Responsive communication, practical guidance, and collaborative problem-solving help agencies move specialty accounts forward efficiently.
Nationwide Market Access Across Specialty Lines
Strong carrier relationships and nationwide licensing connect brokers with specialty insurance solutions across all 50 states. Whether placing a single difficult account or expanding into a new niche, brokers can work through one wholesale partner while accessing multiple specialty markets.
Cochrane & Company offers solutions across eight specialty practice areas:
- Property and casualty (P&C)
- Brokerage, including the Contractors Pollution Liability Online Program
- Professional
- Garage
- Transportation
- Personal lines
- Bonds
- Programs for security guards, private investigators, and mortgage field professionals
Technology That Makes Business Easier
Technology is most valuable when it removes friction from the placement process. Cochrane’s digital tools help brokers move business from submission to binding more efficiently while giving insureds convenient access to self-service tools.
Through Cochrane’s online portal, insureds can:
- Electronically sign documents
- Bind eligible coverage
- Make secure payments
- Finance premiums online
Every time an insured can sign a document, make a payment, or complete another routine task online without sending emails back and forth or waiting for office hours, everyone benefits. Insureds gain convenience, while brokers get valuable time back.
A Simple Appointment Process for Growing Your Business
One appointment with Cochrane opens the door to specialty insurance programs spanning multiple industries and risk categories, experienced underwriting support, and digital tools that help brokers write specialty business more efficiently. From day one, brokers can focus on serving clients and pursuing new opportunities instead of managing individual carrier appointments.
Your Wholesale Relationship Matters
Need an independent wholesaler that will actually be responsive to emails and answer the phone? Get appointed with Cochrane and Company.
FAQ About Getting Appointed With Cochrane & Company
What are excess and surplus insurance companies?
Excess and surplus (E&S) insurance companies provide coverage for risks that standard admitted carriers may decline because of their complexity, uniqueness, or higher exposure. The E&S market gives brokers access to specialized underwriting solutions for businesses and situations that fall outside traditional underwriting guidelines.
What is the difference between an MGA and a wholesale broker?
A managing general agent (MGA) is typically granted underwriting authority by one or more insurance carriers, allowing it to quote, bind, or issue certain policies on the carrier’s behalf. A wholesale broker serves as an intermediary between retail brokers and specialty carriers but generally does not have underwriting authority. Some organizations operate as both an MGA and a wholesale broker, depending on the market and product.
Why should a P&C broker work with an MGA?
Partnering with an MGA gives brokers access to specialty markets, underwriting expertise, and insurance programs that may not be available through standard carrier appointments. An experienced MGA can also help brokers identify appropriate markets, strengthen submissions, and place complex risks more efficiently.
When should a broker use the E&S market?
The E&S market is appropriate when a client’s risk falls outside the appetite of admitted carriers or requires specialized coverage. Common examples include unique contractor exposures, transportation risks, environmental liability, vacant properties, professional liability, and other complex commercial accounts.
How do insurance appointments work?
An insurance appointment establishes a relationship between a broker and an insurance carrier or wholesale partner, allowing the broker to access available products and markets. Working with an independent wholesale partner can simplify that process by providing access to multiple specialty insurance programs through a single relationship.
What submission resources are available to appointed brokers?
Appointed brokers with Cochrane & Company have access to experienced underwriting teams, digital submission tools, online policy services, electronic document signing, payment and premium financing options, and responsive support by phone and email throughout the placement process.
About Cochrane & Company
For more than six decades, Cochrane & Company has been proudly at the forefront of the insurance industry. Our experience has enabled us to innovate in powerful ways, reimagining the E&S market, and providing technology solutions that make it easy to do business with us. Licensed in all 50 states, we proudly serve clients across the nation, providing personalized and powerful solutions to help you become an even better partner for your clients. Speak to one of our experienced professionals today by calling (855) 967-0069.