Latest Independent Agencies Headlines

Flying solo now, former Zurich exec ‘gooses’ independent agents

Nov 19 2006 // A retired insurance industry executive turned turbo-charged speaker told a group of independent insurance agents that they are the greediest people he has ever met. Ray Thomas, a former Zurich North America Small Business...

IIABA president: contingency commission crisis threatens agents

Nov 19 2006 // For a small- to mid-sized independent insurance agency, contingency commissions can determine whether the business survives, according to many within the industry. That explains why Alex Soto, a Miami agent who is also...

Indiana Insurance Named ‘Insurer of the Year’ by Independent Agents

Nov 17 2006 // Loveland, Ohio-based Indiana Insurance, a member of Liberty Mutual Group, has been named the 2006 Indiana Insurance Company of the Year by the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana (IIAI). The recognition came during the...

Aartrijk Group Adds Myers, Promotes Wall for Public Affairs, Branding

Nov 15 2006 // The van Aartrijk Group LLC, a Washington, D.C.-area marketing and communications firm, is augmenting its branding and public affairs capabilities with the promotion of one executive and addition of another, according to...

Verizon Wireless, Insurers Fined for Violations in Washington

Nov 15 2006 // Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has fined Verizon Wireless Services LLC of Bedminster, N.J., $25,000 for failing to sell service contracts under its legal corporate name, a violation of state insurance...

IIABA president: contingency commission crisis threatens agents

Nov 6 2006 // For a small to mid-size independent insurance agency, contingency commissions can determine whether the business survives, according to many in the industry. That explains why Alex Soto, a Miami agent who is also president...

Social services agencies need extra care and an agent’s helping hand

Nov 6 2006 // While they may require more attention, nonprofits offer opportunity for growth and profit, says industry specialist Insurance Journal’s Andrea Ortega-Wells, Mogelnicki explains why the nonprofit social services...

Ease of doing business can make the strategic ‘profit’ differential

Nov 6 2006 // Let’s start with three basic ideas about property/casualty insurance distributed through independent agents and brokers — a sector with more than $200 billion in written premium annually. 1) P/C insurance...

Nov 5 2006 // People The Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina announced the election of Kathy Lance of The L.N. Davis Co. in Waynesville, as its new president. Lance, the first female to hold the office, has been a member of...

News Currents

Nov 5 2006 // IIABA president: contingency commission crisis threatens agents For a small to mid-size independent insurance agency, contingency commissions can determine whether the business survives, according to many in the...

Ease of doing business can make the strategic ‘profit’ differential

Nov 5 2006 // Let’s start with three basic ideas about property/casualty insurance distributed through independent agents and brokers — a sector with more than $200 billion in written premium annually. 1) P/C insurance...

Social services agencies need extra care and an agent’s helping hand

Nov 5 2006 // Few independent agents recognize that they can make profits from not-for-profit organizations, says Dan Mogelnicki, president of Manhasset, N.Y.-based NIF Underwriting Facilities, a program administrator and wholesale...

N.C. Honor Heckle as Agent of Year

Oct 24 2006 // North Carolina independent insurance agents received kudos for leadership, service and dedication at this year’s annual convention. At the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina event held Oct. 8-11 in...

IIABA president: contingency commission crisis threatens agents

Oct 23 2006 // For a small to midsize independent insurance agency, contingency commissions can determine whether the business survives, according to many in the industry. That explains why Alex Soto, a Miami agent who is also president...

Contingency Pay is Critical for Survival, N.C. Agents Reminded

Oct 12 2006 // Wrongdoings by mega insurance brokers have triggered a discussion that contingency commissions are bad, yet those contingency commissions can make or break a typical independent agency, an agent leader told North Carolina...

N.J. Big ‘I’ Elects Durkin as Chairman; Young Agents Name Strout

Oct 10 2006 // The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of New Jersey (the Big “I”) swore in new officers at its 113th Annual Conference recently. Brian F. Durkin of the Durkin Agency in Englewood and Ramsey was sworn in...

Agents take aim at Zurich compensation, disclosure settlement

Oct 9 2006 // Two associations for independent insurance agents have urged a federal court to reject recent settlement provisions between Zurich Insurance and states that affect thousands of agents who were not involved in the original...

News Currents

Oct 9 2006 // Agents take aim at Zurich compensation, disclosure settlement Two associations for independent insurance agents have urged a federal court to reject recent settlement provisions between Zurich Insurance and states that...

MHBT Partner Named President-Elect of Dallas Independent Agent Group

Oct 4 2006 // Privately owned insurance and risk management firm, McQueary Henry Bowles Troy L.L.P. (MHBT), announced that Pat Arthur, a partner in the firm, has been appointed to serve as president-elect of the board of directors for...

Survey: young agents value rates, technology, products from insurers

Sep 25 2006 // The five most important things carriers can offer independent insurance agencies are: competitive rates; technology that helps them more easily write business and service customers; a variety of markets and products;...