We are your trusted independent insurance agency.

Your family, your business and your possessions are all important to you, but you may not know how to best protect them. We have the experience to navigate the unique risks you face, serving as your insurance advisor.

The Accel Group is one of the largest independent, Iowa-based insurance agencies in the state. Currently we have eight convenient office locations in Cedar Falls, IA, Cedar Rapids, IA, Coralville, IA, Denver, CO, Moline, IL, Waverly, IA,  West Des Moines, IA, and Wichita, KS.

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 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 five locations, allowing us to best serve our clients throughout the state of Iowa and beyond.