Latest Independent Agencies Headlines
All the headlines from our Independent Agencies Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Allstate to Cut 3,800 Jobs as Latest Step in Multi-Year Growth Plan
Oct 1 2020 // The Allstate Corp. said it will cut approximately 3,800 jobs in claims, sales, service and support functions as part of its continuing plan to grow its property/casualty market share. The layoffs will affect about eight...
Independent Brokers Will Remain Competitive by Adding Value to the Value Chain
Sep 23 2020 // The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the need for brokers to add value to the insurance transaction, according to Toby Esser, chairman of AFL Insurance Brokers, a London-based independent broker. Indeed, Esser said, the...
Questions to Ask Before Starting an Independent Agency
Sep 21 2020 // In the most recent Closing Quote in Insurance Journal, I wrote about why I believe this is the best time in history for entrepreneurial agents to create a new independent insurance agency. My reasons include lower costs,...
It’s Clear Insurance Agency Data Is Valuable. Who Owns It May Not Be So Clear.
Aug 24 2020 // Independent agencies, like every other business, are living in a data-driven world. The value of data — including how and when it’s used and for what purpose — continues to evolve. As the value of data to...
Missouri Independent Insurance Agents Name Corrigan as Person of the Year
Aug 19 2020 // Karen O’Connor Corrigan, owner president of O’Connor Insurance in St. Louis, Missouri, has been honored by the Missouri Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA) as Person of the Year. The award is presented to an...
Viewpoint: Michigan Auto Insurance Reform Is Here. Agents, Are You Ready?
Aug 12 2020 // Finally, there is good reason to believe Michigan will drop the infamous distinction of being the one of the most expensive states in the country in which to insure a vehicle. As of July 2, the state’s drivers now...
The Value of Agency Data and Who Owns It
Jul 20 2020 // Independent agencies, like every other business, are living in a data-driven world. The value of data — including how and when it’s used and for what purpose — continues to evolve. As the value of data to...
Bridges Elected Vice Chair of Independent Insurance Agents of Texas
Jul 9 2020 // The Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) elected Mark Bridges of INSURICA in Amarillo to serve as vice chair for 2020-2021. Bridges was elected to the post during IIAT’s annual business meeting on June 10,...
Allstate to Buy National General for $4 Billion, Growing Auto, Independent Agent Business
Jul 8 2020 // U.S. Insurer Allstate Corp. said on Tuesday it will buy National General Holdings Corp. for about $4 billion in cash, scaling up its auto insurance business at a time when the coronavirus has crushed traffic on roads and...
Texas Independent Agents Name Stoffle Account Manager of the Year
Jul 2 2020 // The Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) has named Karla Stoffle of Upshaw Insurance in Amarillo as Account Manager of the Year. The Account Manager of the Year award is given annually to an account manager in...
Renaissance Alliance Insurance Services Adds 6 Agency Members in Florida
Jun 30 2020 // Renaissance Alliance Insurance Services, a membership alliance for independent insurance agencies, has added six independent insurance agencies to its Florida network. The new members include: AFG Insurance (American...
Nationwide’s Transition to Independent Agency Insurance Company Complete
Jun 30 2020 // Nationwide says the process of transitioning the company to operate as an independent insurance agency carrier is complete, effective July 1. For the past 18 months, the Columbus, Ohio-based insurer has been working on the...
TexCap’s Brown Named Chair-Elect of Texas Independent Insurance Agents Group
Jun 26 2020 // The Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) has installed Gaylon Brown of TexCap Insurance in Dallas as the group’s chair-elect for 2020-2021. Brown was named to the post during IIAT’s annual business...
Nitsche Named Chair of Independent Insurance Agents of Texas’ Board
Jun 19 2020 // Robert Nitsche, CEO of the Giddings, Texas-based independent insurance agency The Nitsche Group, has been appointed chair of the board of directors for the 2020-2021 year by the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas...
SIAA Reports Strong First Quarter and Anticipates Continued Growth
May 13 2020 // Hampton, NH, May 13, 2020: SIAA (Strategic Insurance Agency Alliance, Inc.), the largest independent insurance alliance in the United States, reported strong growth in the first quarter of 2020, signing new members at a...
In a Time of Uncertainty, We Remain Certain of Independent Agents
Apr 29 2020 // Seattle, WA, April 29, 2020 In this open letter to the independent agent channel, Liberty Mutual Small Commercial and Safeco President Tyler Asher outlines how carriers and agents are navigating this turbulent time...
Turning 50, Invest High School Program Eyes Apprenticeships for Independent Agencies
Apr 20 2020 // A new apprenticeship program aimed at attracting and developing talent in the independent agency system is being rolled out by an insurance education organization that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Invest, the...
As Cyber Risks Grow, So Does the Need for Small Business Coverage
Apr 20 2020 // With cyberattacks on the rise and many small businesses unaware of the dangers, independent insurance agents are in a good position to educate clients about their risks, recommend preventative measures, and provide...
Progressive Gives $2M to Big ‘I’ Fund to Aid Agencies Affected by Coronavirus Crisis
Apr 16 2020 // Progressive Insurance has donated $2 million to establish the Trusted Choice COVID-19 Relief Fund in response to the economic and operational challenges the coronavirus crisis has presented to independent agencies. The...
Marsh & McLennan Acquires Illinois Independent Agency, Assurance
Apr 1 2020 // Marsh subsidiary Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC (MMA) has acquired Schaumburg, Illinois-based Assurance Holdings Inc. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Founded in 1961, Assurance is a full-service brokerage...
