Latest Independent Agencies Headlines

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;...

Sep 25 2006 // People Miami insurance agent Alex Soto has been inaugurated as the new president of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”), with Robert E. Fulwider assuming the office of...

Sep 25 2006 // People San Antonio, Texas-based Southwest Business Corporation announced that Nick Grant has joined SWBC as the chief executive officer of the Property and Casualty Division in the San Antonio office. Grant is responsible...

People

Sep 25 2006 // Miami insurance agent Alex Soto has been inaugurated as the new president of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”), with Robert E. Fulwider and C. Brett Nilsson assuming the...

Evans to Lead Big ‘I’ Trusted Choice

Sep 20 2006 // Dave Evans has been named the new executive director of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s Trusted Choice, the association’s consumer marketing identity for nearly independent...

Preferred Employers Insurance Joins Trusted Choice Network

Sep 14 2006 // Preferred Employers Insurance Co., a key California workers’ compensation insurer, has joined the Trusted Choice program. “We believe it is very important for consumers in California and across the country to...

Miami Agent Soto Sworn in as National Big ‘I’ President

Sep 11 2006 // Miami insurance agent Alex Soto has been inaugurated as the new president of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”), with Robert E. Fulwider and C. Brett Nilsson assuming the...

Trusted Choice to Run National TV Ads

Sep 6 2006 // Trusted Choice will run TV commercials commencing in September and running for the next 12 months. Trusted Choice says the ads will give participating agencies the opportunity to maximize their exposure by running local...

Drive Insurance Survey Asks Young Agents Their View on Industry Challenges, Opportunities

Aug 31 2006 // The future of any industry, including the independent insurance agency system, depends on the successful development and advancement of today’s young professionals. One event designed to help young agents master the...

Okla. Agents Denounce Contingent Fee Settlement Agreements

Aug 23 2006 // The Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma (IIAO), the state’s largest insurance and property casualty agents association, has joined other agent groups in denouncing recent assaults on compensation agreements...

Big ‘I’ Group Adds Fireman’s Fund Agents’ E&O to Benefits Roster

Aug 21 2006 // The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) is partnering with Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company to offer a nationally endorsed program for insurance agents Errors &...