Why American Modern Matters for Independent Agents
American Modern Insurance Group is one of the country's leading specialty personal lines insurers, with a focus on risks that fall outside the appetite of standard market carriers. They have been writing specialty personal lines since 1949 and are a subsidiary of Munich Re — giving them the financial backing to stand behind complex and non-standard risks.
For independent agents, American Modern fills a critical gap. Every agent eventually meets a client who lives in a manufactured home, owns a collector vehicle, or needs coverage for a vacant seasonal property. Without a specialty market like American Modern, you either turn that client away or send them to a competitor who can serve the whole household. American Modern lets you keep those clients.
Specialty Products Available Through IPA
Manufactured and Mobile Home Insurance
Manufactured and mobile homes represent a significant segment of the housing market, especially in rural and suburban areas. Standard homeowners carriers either decline them outright or charge rates that make the coverage uncompetitive. American Modern writes manufactured home coverage as a core product — competitively priced, straightforward to bind, and available in most states.
- Single-wide and double-wide manufactured homes
- Mobile homes in parks and on private land
- Replacement cost and actual cash value options
- Liability coverage included
Watercraft Insurance
American Modern's watercraft product covers everything from small fishing boats to personal watercraft to larger cruisers. Unlike homeowners policy endorsements (which offer minimal limits), American Modern's standalone watercraft policies provide proper protection for your boating clients.
- Boats, pontoons, bass boats, and cruisers
- Personal watercraft (jet skis, wave runners)
- Agreed value and actual cash value options
- Year-round and seasonal coverage available
Collector and Classic Vehicle Insurance
For clients with antique, classic, or collector vehicles, American Modern offers specialty auto coverage that standard auto carriers are not equipped to provide. These policies are designed around how collectors actually use their vehicles — not how daily drivers use theirs.
- Antique and classic cars (pre-1980 and recognized collector vehicles)
- Agreed value coverage — no depreciation at claim time
- Low mileage and show-use endorsements
- Spare parts coverage available
Seasonal and Vacation Property
Cabins, seasonal cottages, and vacation homes present underwriting challenges for standard carriers because they sit unoccupied for extended periods. American Modern has appetite for these properties and offers coverage that accounts for how seasonal properties are actually used.
Getting Appointed Through IPA
Direct American Modern appointments can be difficult for smaller or newer agencies to obtain — they typically want to see an established agency with demonstrated production volume. Through IPA, you bypass that barrier entirely.
IPA agents access American Modern specialty products under IPA's master agency code. You can start placing manufactured home, watercraft, and collector vehicle risks from day one without waiting months for an individual appointment.
- Immediate access — no individual appointment thresholds
- All specialty product lines available through one relationship
- IPA support for underwriting and complex placements
- Production credited toward your growing agency track record
Why Every Agency Needs a Specialty Market
Specialty risks are more common than most new agents expect. In many markets, 20–30% of households either have a non-standard risk or own a specialty asset that a standard carrier won't properly cover. Without a carrier like American Modern, you lose that business — either turning the client away or placing them with a carrier that is not right for the risk.
With American Modern in your portfolio, you become a one-stop shop for clients with complex household needs. That keeps households together under your book, improves retention, and increases average revenue per client.
Ready to Add American Modern to Your Portfolio?
IPA provides access to American Modern and 50+ other carriers across standard, non-standard, and specialty lines. Book a discovery call to learn how IPA carrier access works and what your agency can start writing from day one.