It Figures

4,000
The number of independent agencies founded in 2008, 2009 or 2010, which represents approximately 11 percent of the more than 37,500 total independent agencies in the United States today, according to the 2010 Agency Universe Study by Future One, a collaboration of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America and independent agency insurance companies. Of agencies founded since 2005, 50 percent are located in the South, 24 percent in the South Atlantic states and 19 percent in the West South Central Census division.

20%
The near percentage of drivers who were killed last year in car crashes that tested positive for drugs. Researchers with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration say about one in five drivers killed in auto crashes in 2009 tested positive for drugs, however, the data is not clear that drugs caused the crashes. Even so, drugs were reported in nearly 4,000 drivers who were killed in 2009, or 18 percent of the nearly 22,000 drivers killed last year. In 2005, drugs were found in the systems of 13 percent of the more than 27,000 drivers killed in car accidents.

14
The number of days U.S. workers took on average of sick days in 2007 due to their own illness or injury, or to care for a sick child or other family member, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. On average, employees took 10 days off because they were sick or injured and an additional four to care for family members. Workers ages 55 to 64 took an average of 18 days off of work, compared with 10 days for workers ages 16 to 24. About 38 percent of female workers missed work in 2007 for their own health problems, versus about 30 percent of male employees.

$222 Billion
The worldwide economic losses from natural catastrophes and man-made disasters estimated by Swiss Re’s sigma research team, which is more than triple the 2009 figure of $63 billion. The cost to the global insurance industry was $36 billion, an increase of 34 percent over the previous year. Approximately 260,000 people died in these events, the highest number since 1976, Swiss Re reported. Natural catastrophes cost the global insurance industry roughly $31 billion in 2010, and man-made disasters triggered additional claims of approximately $5 billion. Overall insured losses totaled $27 billion in 2009.

Topics Agencies