In 1983 Jim Masiello, owner of Masiello Insurance in Keene, NH created the SAN Group in response to the independent agency challenges of growth and access to markets. This partnering model enabled him to work with other independent agents in establishing relationships with strategic partner companies (carriers). SAN Group grew quickly throughout New England as local agents found they could remain
independent, focus on producing profitable business and utilize the opportunities usually only afforded to much larger agencies. With the success of SAN, and the encouragement of industry insiders and member agents, Masiello developed the idea for a national alliance of master agencies like SAN Group, each operating in an exclusive territory. In 1995, this national alliance - SIAA - was born. By the end of 2016 , SIAA still connected the 48 contiguous states through 49 master agencies and has signed more than 6,150 member agencies generating more than $6.6 Billion of inform premium. For agencies with a desire to grow, the return on membership is significant. Existing smaller agencies that join an SIAA master agency become instantly big as they access top national carriers - strategic partner companies. The size of SIAA and the master agencies afford access to markets most small local agencies never had - while retaining control of their own agencies.
