Author: Chris Boggs

Most agents have historically accessed ACORD forms via their agency management systems or other ACORD-authorized third-party forms redistributors. This changed on January 1, 2020, when ACORD began charging all users of ACORD forms an End User License (EUL) fee. “All" includes agents, brokers and carriers.

The Big 'I' has negotiated an agreement with ACORD allowing most Big 'I' members to continue receiving ACORD forms without having to pay the EUL. What did IIABA do to allow continued free access? IIABA agreed to cover the cost of the End User Licenses for most members.

Member agents and brokers with gross annual revenues below $50 million will continue to have free access to ACORD forms when accessing them via a management system or redistributor. If the agency accesses the forms via the ACORD Advantage Plus Program, an EUL discount is available.

In short, qualifying member agencies will not have to pay ACORD the End User License fee that went into effect January 1, 2020.

With the exception of an initial (then annual) Big 'I' membership validation, agents should not experience any disruption in their management system workflow or use of ACORD forms. The validation process requires the agent to access the ACORD Licensing website to validate membership status and perform a simple click-through process to accept the license. Depending on the management system used, access to the ACORD Licensing site will link directly from the management system or will require the agent to access the site separately.

ACT (Agents Council for Technology) took the lead in managing this new member benefit. More detailed information on this change is available on the ACT website.

ACT Executive Director Ron Berg recently conducted a short webinar providing more details on this change. To view the free 12-minute webinar, click here.

Last Updated: January 17, 2020