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About Our Agency

The Accel Group provides insurance options.

Home » About Our Agency

We are here to Insure Your Moment®.

There are many moments in our clients’ lives, such as buying a first home, building a family, starting a business, or protecting important possessions. Some of these moments can play a big role in life, and others could be building blocks along the way. At The Accel Group, we know one moment can also change everything. As an independent insurance agency, we help protect those moments and what matters most to our clients.

Our Mission

Insure Your Moment® by building meaningful relationships, providing trusted advice, and serving with care and excellence in all that we do.

Our Vision

To provide peace of mind for all of life’s moments, from one generation to the next.

Interested in joining our team?

80

years in business

110

knowledgeable associates

60

carrier partnerships
Our Coverage

The Accel Group is one of the largest independent, Iowa-based insurance agencies in the state. Currently, we have seven convenient office locations in Cedar Falls, IA, Cedar Rapids, IA, Coralville, IA, Moline, IL, Waverly, IAWest Des Moines, IA, and Wichita, KS. We also have a Business Solutions Advisor working remotely from St. Joseph, MO.

Within our office locations, you will find a knowledgeable team, ready and willing to guide you through protecting what matters most. Whether you are looking for personal insurance, business insurance, agribusiness insurance or employee benefits, each agent will provide you with a personalized experience in assessing your risks and finding the most appropriate protection for your needs.

Our History

Our story stems from the long success of two separate entities – Millhiser Smith Agency and The Accel Group.

The Millhiser Insurance Agency was established in Cedar Rapids by Harold Millhiser in 1928. Shortly after the end of World War II, Forrest Smith became a partner, and the firm became known as the Millhiser Smith Agency. During the 1950s, the agency grew significantly through the acquisition of other agencies in the Cedar Rapids area. Harold Millhiser retired in the late 1960s when Forrest Smith became president and remained so until he retired in 1975. Millhiser Smith continued to grow and provide an ever-increasing range of products and services to customers over the next several decades.

The Accel Group was originally founded in Waverly by Leslie J. Young in 1936. The agency experienced several mergers, acquisitions, and name changes over the years, with several different business partners that contributed to its ongoing success. In 2000, it began operating as First Insurance Services with expertise in business, personal, and ag insurance. Then in 2010, with an opportunity to further expand its offerings, The Accel Group was formed when the 401(k) and employee benefits divisions of Net Worth Advisors joined the agency.

On January 1, 2018, these two agencies officially merged, making The Accel Group one of the largest independent insurance agencies in the state of Iowa. An evolution that began with two small local agencies became a group of highly trained, dedicated professionals with expertise in individual, business, agribusiness, employee benefits, and financial solutions. Then in February 2019, The Accel Group purchased Asset Pros in West Des Moines, a small agency who specialized in personal lines, commercial lines, and employee benefits. In December 2019, Premier Advisors was acquired and expanded our wealth management team into the Cedar Rapids market.  And in January 2020, RJ Lee & Associates in Moline, IL was acquired and expanded our Employee Benefits team to the Quad Cities area.

Today, The Accel Group has over 100 employees across seven locations, allowing us to best serve our clients throughout the state of Iowa and beyond.  

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The Accel Group - White

Our Core Values

Learn what we live and work by

Act with Honor & Integrity

Demonstrate an unwavering commitment to do the right thing, even when no one is looking.

Consistency Strengthens our Brand

Make our name synonymous with professionalism, high quality, and one of kind customer service.

Change, Embrace It

Get comfortable being uncomfortable.

Empowerment Helps us Grow

Empower each other to do what is necessary to take care of our customers.

Laugh Every Day

Laughter renews our spirit and keeps us energized.
Our Agency Timeline

The Accel Group Milestones

1928

Millhiser Insurance Agency founded

1936

Young Insurance Agency founded - later named The Accel Group

1947

The Millhiser Smith Agency established

2007

The Millhiser Smith Foundation established (now The Accel Foundation)

2009

Millhiser Smith recognized Agency of the Year – FEMA and NFIP

2015

The Accel Group recognized as Business of the Year – GCVAC

2015

Milllhiser Smith team featured in RoughNotes Magazine

2015

The Accel Group Awarded Top Workplace in Iowa Des Moines Register

2016

The Accel Group Awarded Top Workplace in Iowa Des Moines Register

2017

The Accel Group recognized Business of the Year – GCVAC

2018

The Accel Group and Millhiser Smith Merge

2018

Recognized as an Employer of Choice - GCVAC

2018

Distinguished Business of the Year - Waverly Chamber of Commerce

2018

Distinguished Large Business Award - Waverly Chamber of Commerce

2019

Acquired Asset Pros of Des Moines and Premier Advisors of Cedar Rapids

2020

Recognized as an Employer of Choice – Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

2021

Recognized as an Employer of Choice – Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

2022

Awarded Best of the Best in the Insurance Category - Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

2022

Recognized as the Best Insurance Company in the Best of the West awards - West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce

2023

Recognized as a Corridor Business Journal (CBJ) Largest Privately Held Company

2023

Recognized as the Best Insurance Company in the Best of the West awards - West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce
Since 1928

The Accel Group has served the needs of Iowans and beyond. We truly enjoy the opportunity to give back.

Our Recognition

We are an Employer of Choice in the Cedar Valley.

  • Des Moines Register Top Workplace – 2015, 2016
  • Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber Business of the Year – 2017
  • Waverly Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Business of the Year and Distinguished Large Business Award – 2018
  • The Courier Employer of Choice – 2018, 2020, 2021
  • Western National Circle of Excellence Agency – 2020
  • Applied Pinnacle Award – 2020
  • CBJ Largest Privately Held Companies – 2020, 2023
  • The Courier Best of the Best Insurance Category – 2022
  • West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce Best of the West Best Insurance Company – 2022, 2023
Choice

As an independent insurance agency we have great relationships with many well-known, reputable insurance companies, giving you the power of choice.

Expertise

Our insurance advisors have years of experience in the insurance industry and serve as your advocate from selecting coverage through filing a claim.

Service

Our insurance advisors have a strong passion for insurance and protecting what you value most in business and in life. We treat our customers like family.

Insurance Quote Request

As an independent agency, we offer multiple options at competitive prices.