what is your plan for carriers 4-7?

what is your plan for carriers 4-7?

Author: Heath Shearon July 3, 2025 Duration: 56:43

n this week’s visit to Insurance Town, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Spencer Witcher, a second-generation insurance pro who’s doing big things with Smart Choice. We had a real talk about the challenges agents face in hard-to-place markets — and how finding the right partners can make all the difference.

We peeled back the curtain on:

  • What Smart Choice is doing to help agents thrive in California and other tough states
  • How to write the business others shy away from — without jumping through hoops
  • Why MGAs and non-traditional carriers might just be your new best friends
  • The critical importance of relationships — not just for quoting, but for long-term success
  • Building your book with depth, not just volume

Whether you're a seasoned agency owner or a producer looking to grow smarter, Spencer delivers actionable insights that’ll challenge the way you think about growth

 A big THANK YOU to the amazing folks who keep the lights on in Insurance Town:

  Smart Choice – Helping agents grow their book without adding overhead
  Canopy Connect – Making gathering client info as easy as pie
  Olde School Marketing – Bringing you hand-written, high-touch prospecting that works

 Make sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review!
New episodes drop weekly — straight from the heart of Insurance Town.


Heath Shearon has spent years navigating every corner of the insurance industry, and in Insurance Town, he acts as your guide through its often complex landscape. Think of each episode as a casual, informative conversation held on the front porch of a town built entirely on insurance knowledge. Heath, who jokingly refers to himself as the Mayor, doesn’t just lecture; he brings in the many friends and colleagues he’s met over his career for genuine discussions that break down real-world scenarios. You’ll hear practical advice, behind-the-scenes insights, and straightforward explanations designed for both industry newcomers and seasoned professionals. This isn't about dry theory-it's about the tangible how-to and the why behind common business and personal coverage questions. The tone is welcoming and grounded in experience, set to a bluesy soundtrack courtesy of Daddy Long Legs. Tune into this podcast for a unique blend of business education and relatable storytelling that makes the intricacies of insurance feel approachable and even engaging.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Insurance Town
Podcast Episodes
Why blindly trusting technology can lead to significant risks... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:34
In this engaging conversation, Heath Shearon and Alex Rodov explore the vibrant culture of Toronto, the evolution of technology and quality assurance, and the critical role of testing in the insurance industry. Alex shar…
No such thing as a bad lead... here's why... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:22
This week in Insurance Town I sat down with my friend Evan Smith of Mav. We had an incredible conversation about growing your sales with leads and building an inside sales team . We discussed the importance of recognizin…
AI in Insurance: Beyond the Buzzword [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:41
In this episode of the Insurance Town Podcast, Heath Shearon hosts Christopher Frankland to discuss the intersection of technology and insurance, focusing on AI's impact on the industry. They explore the concept of the '…
Who would you invite to your block party? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:06
This is an episode recorded at the PIA VADC conference in Virginia Beach with my man Byron Roberts. It is a fast, on-the-ground conversation about how Openly built for independent agents, why speed still matters, and how…
Grit, Growth and Gumption , Revisted [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:59
In this weeks episode, the mayor sits down with his good friend Tinsley English to discuss her latest book titled Grit, Growth & Gumption. But this episode is way beyond that we discuss being a leader in this service ind…
Hard to Place, Easy to Profit: The Art of Captives [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:07
In this episode, the Mayor sits down with industry veteran Jeff Kleid a 30-year insurance innovator, MGA, and carrier leader to talk about the business of hard-to-place risks, the truth about captives, and how brokers ca…
The best tech make great service feel effortless (re-visit) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:09
In this weeks episode of Insurance Town, The Mayor welcomes good buddy Patrick McBride to the show. Patrick, a seasoned insurance professional, shares his journey, experiences, and insights on the industry's evolving lan…
What are the biggest data challenges in Insurance right now? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:59
In this episode of Insurance Town, the Mayor, Heath Shearon welcomes Jamie Peers really just to catch up and have a chat, but this lead to hitting the record button, and discussing the evolving landscape of the insurance…