Independent Market Solutions is jointly owned by 12 independent agent associations throughout the country to provide a membership driven solution to market access. IMS was created in the wake of a punishing 2005 hurricane season, when Florida agents watched as national and regional carriers pulled out of the state leaving few options beyond the state-run residual market. The Florida Association of Insurance Agents launched IMS in 2007 to help create a more robust private property market for member agents and since that time, IMS has grown to include 12 state association partners with over 8,700 member agencies. Today, IMS operates in 14 states and has more than 3,000 contracted sub-producers. With new states coming on board in 2019, IMS sub-producers are expected to generate more than $140 million in direct written premium through more than 25 different insurance companies. IMS seeks to: Provide member agents access to markets and alternatives that may be otherwise unavailable. Offer more choices for independent agents, which equates to greater competition for their services. Create added marketplace leverage, particularly for smaller agents, through IMS negotiated contract terms.