Latest Independent Agencies Headlines
All the headlines from our Independent Agencies Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Who’s Worth What in the Independent Agency System?
Jan 23 2009 // It’s that time again! Insurance Journal is polling insurance agents and brokers nationwide in its annual quest to find out who’s worth what in the independent agency system. More than 1,000 agencies nationwide...
Liberty Mutual Drops Direct Sales to Middle Market Businesses; Puts Faith in Independent Agents
Jan 22 2009 // Liberty Mutual Group is throwing in the towel on direct distribution of insurance to middle market businesses. Since it couldn’t beat independent agents and brokers — who dominate sales in this segment —...
Group Changes Name to Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois
Jan 15 2009 // The Springfield-based Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois has unveiled a new name. The statewide group will now be known as the Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (IIA of IL) It has also implemented...
Independent Agents: State Regulation Big Issue in 2009
Jan 11 2009 // The New Year always brings out great hope for a new beginning, a fresh start and greater resolve for the coming year. But with all the financial and economic turmoil of the second half of 2008, independent agents could...
After Stormy 2008, P/C Industry Facing Uncertainty in New Year
Jan 5 2009 // Ask agents and executives in the insurance industry about the new year and they’ll say they expect that the market will harden, at least slightly. In fact, 73 percent of agents predict prices will firm, according to...
Mergers Slow as New Agencies Pop Up
Dec 21 2008 // Report: Number of Agencies Unchanged Since 2006 A new study by an industry trade group has found that the decade-long contraction in the number of insurance agencies has ceased during the past two years — a move...
After Stormy 2008, P/C Industry Facing Uncertainty in New Year
Dec 21 2008 // Agents Wish for Firmer Pricing, Higher Commissions, Solid Client Retention, Unity on Legislation Ask agents and executives in the insurance industry about the coming year and they’ll say they expect that the market...
Ho-Ho-Ho Holiday Parties? Survey Says Homeowners Unaware of Risks
Dec 19 2008 // As millions of Americans host and attend holiday parties across the street or across the country, many are unaware of the risks they may be taking or of their own responsibilities to ensure their guests don’t hit the...
Texas Agent Group Revising Essentials Training Program
Dec 18 2008 // The Independent Insurance Agents of Texas is updating its training program designed to provide agents with a foundation in commercial and personal lines insurance. Beginning in January, IIAT is taking the best elements of...
Study: Independent Agency System Stable and Growing
Dec 10 2008 // The number of independent agencies has stabilized — that’s one of the key findings of the 2008 Agency Universe Study. Future One, a collaboration of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America...
What the 2008 Election Means for Independent Agents
Nov 30 2008 // With incoming President-elect Barack Obama and major increases in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, the Democrats will now control both chambers of Congress and the White House. The changing of the...
What the 2008 Election Means for Independent Agents
Nov 30 2008 // With incoming President-elect Barack Obama and major increases in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, the Democrats will now control both chambers of Congress and the White House. The changing of the...
What the 2008 Election Means for Independent Agents
Nov 30 2008 // With incoming President-elect Barack Obama and major increases in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, the Democrats will now control both chambers of Congress and the White House. The changing of the...
People
Nov 16 2008 // The Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina elected Neil T. Annas as the association’s new president for the 2008 to 2009 term. Annas, president of Granite Insurance Agency Inc. in Granite Falls, N.C., was...
Strategic Planning for an Increasing Direct Writer Marketplace
Nov 16 2008 // The traditional role of an insurance agent in the sale of insurance products to potential policyholders has changed dramatically over the years. Historically, the agent was the customer’s first and only point of...
Survey: What Keeps Independent Agents Awake at Night?
Nov 16 2008 // Commissions, Technology, Agency Branding and Catastrophe Zones Rank High as Concerns Independent insurance agents and brokers are concerned about the future of contingent commissions, according to a recent survey. But...
Rhode Island Agency Recognized by National Trade Group
Nov 6 2008 // Hunter Insurance Inc., an independent agency in Lincoln, Rhode Island, has been named the Trusted Choice Agency of the Month by the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America. Trusted Choice is a branding effort...
Willis Expands UK Independent Broker Network
Nov 5 2008 // Willis Group Holdings announced that 10 new members have joined its Commercial Network, a partnership with local, independent insurance brokers in the UK. Including the new members who joined this year, total membership is...
Mass. Agents Contribute $1.9B to the State’s Economy
Nov 2 2008 // As employers, taxpayers, consumers and charitable contributors, Massachusetts’ independent insurance agents make a $1.9 billion cumulative contribution to the Bay State’s economy last year, according to a new...
People
Nov 2 2008 // Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina named Kelley L. Erstine chief executive officer. Erstine assumed the association’s CEO responsibilities Oct. 15 and replaces Bob Bird upon his retirement after 25 years...
