1. Base Commission
When we sell a policy, the carrier pays us a percentage of the premium (typically 10-15%). This is our primary revenue source. It allows us to service your policy year-round without charging you hourly fees.
How We Are Compensated
Insurance shouldn't be a black box. We believe you deserve to know exactly how money flows between you, us, and the insurance carriers.
Do we cost extra?
For 95% of our policies—including Standard Auto, Home, and Life—working with MC Chicago Insurance costs you $0 extra.
The premium is exactly the same whether you buy directly from the carrier or through us. The insurance carrier pays our commission out of their marketing budget, not your pocket.
Our 3 Revenue Streams
2. Broker Fees
For high-risk drivers (SR-22) or complex commercial risks, carriers often pay very little ($0 to 5%). In these specific cases, we may charge a Broker Fee to cover our labor.
Promise: This fee is always disclosed in writing.
3. Volume Bonuses
If we write a high volume of "good business" (clients with few claims), carriers may pay us a year-end bonus. This incentivizes us to find you stable coverage that fits your needs.
"Do you push the plan that pays you the most?"
The Answer is No.
Most major carriers (Travelers, Progressive, Hartford) pay very similar commission rates. The difference is often negligible to our bottom line.
The Business Logic:
It is far more profitable for us to find you a policy you love and keep for 10 years (Retention) than to sell you a bad policy that pays us 2% more but causes you to cancel in 6 months. Our business model is built on longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Broker vs. Captive Agent?
"Captive" agents (like State Farm or Geico) work for the insurance company. They can only sell that one brand. We are Independent Brokers. We work for you and shop 20+ carriers to find the best fit.
Do you sell my data?
Never. We make money by selling insurance policies, not by selling your personal information. Your data is shared only with insurance carriers for the purpose of obtaining quotes. See our Privacy Policy.