Latest Independent Agencies Headlines

All the headlines from our Independent Agencies Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Michigan Earns Outstanding Big ‘I’ Young Agents Committee Award

Oct 7 2013 // The National Young Agents Committee (YAC) of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) presented the Young Agents Council of the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents...

What to Know About NARAB or National Producer Licensing: Bissett of Big ‘I’

Oct 3 2013 // If and when the federal government resumes operations, a multistate producer licensing reform bill long pushed by the country’s insurance agent lobby could be among the few bipartisan pieces of business Congress...

New Hampshire’s Minkler New Chairman of Big ‘I’

Sep 30 2013 // New Hampshire independent agent Thomas J. Minkler has been inaugurated as the new chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”), with David Walker as...

Third Time’s a Charm for Producer Licensing Bill?

Sep 23 2013 // Will the third time be the charm?Insurance groups and lobbyists in Washington are hoping so, after the House of Representatives this month overwhelmingly passed a bill (H.R. 1155 ) to streamline the insurance producer...

Vermont’s Independent Agents Have Over $120M Annual Impact on State Economy

Sep 18 2013 // The results from a study commissioned by the Vermont Insurance Agents Association (VIAA) show that Vermont’s economy is positively impacted by the state’s independent insurance agencies.“These phenomenal...

The Fight for Policy Ownership

Sep 16 2013 // There are times when what agents don’t know can hurt them. And this is one of them. I refer to the all-too-often overlooked, and recently targeted, ownership of policy “expirations” — policy,...

Will Third Time Be the Charm for National Producer Licensing Bill?

Sep 12 2013 // Will the third time be the charm?Insurance groups and lobbyists in Washington are hoping so, after the House of Representatives this week overwhelmingly passed a bill (H.R. 1155 ) to streamline the insurance producer...

The Fight for Policy Ownership

Aug 19 2013 // There are times when what agents don’t know can hurt them, and this is one of them. I refer to the all-too-often overlooked, and recently targeted, ownership of policy “expirations” – policy,...

60% of Direct Buyers Eventually Return to Independent Agents: Study

Aug 19 2013 // Most customers who are lured away from independent agents by direct insurers promising lower prices will ultimately return to an independent agent. According to a recent study commissioned by The Hanover Insurance Group,...

Teen Golfers from Kansas, Georgia Win Big ‘I’ National Championship

Aug 9 2013 // Bailey Tardy of Norcross, Ga. and Sam Stevens of Wichita, Kan., won the girls and boys divisions, respectively, at the recent 45nd Annual Trusted Choice Big “I” National Championship in Pinehurst, N.C.The...

60% of Direct Buyers Eventually Return to Independent Agents: Study

Aug 6 2013 // Most customers who are lured away from independent agents by direct insurers promising lower prices will ultimately return to an independent agent.According to a recent study commissioned by The Hanover Insurance Group,...

IIAT Conference Highlights New Officers, Award Winners

Aug 5 2013 // The Independent Insurance Agents of Texas elected new officers and recognized outstanding members at the association’s recent 116th Annual Conference and Trade Show in Dallas.Bill Henry, chairman and CEO of MHBT...

Kneeland Promoted to Acting General Counsel for Agents Association

Jul 17 2013 // Scott Kneeland has been promoted to acting general counsel for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA). He has served as the IIABA’s senior counsel for the past four years.Kneeland succeeds...

Randall Named ACSR of the Year by Texas Independent Agents

Jul 11 2013 // The Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) has named Delia (Dee) Randall, personal lines ACSR at Duncan Fraser & Bridges Insurance Agency in Pampa, the Accredited Customer Service Representative (ACSR) of the...

MHBT’s Henry Named Top Insurance Agent in Texas

Jul 2 2013 // The Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) announced that Dallas independent insurance agent Bill Henry, chairman and CEO of MHBT Inc., is the winner of the Drex Foreman Award presented at IIAT’s 116th Annual...

Whitaker Elected Chair of Independent Insurance Agents of Texas

Jul 1 2013 // The Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) elected Don Whitaker, president and owner of Whitaker Insurance Associates Inc. in San Antonio, to serve as chair for 2013-2014 during IIAT’s 116th Annual Conference...

Grow Your Independent Agency by Activating ‘Hit Teams’

Jun 17 2013 // In many independent agencies, production is left to lone wolves who professionally prowl among neighborhoods, businesses, and the Internet. These offices encourage their producers to work alone in pursuit of fresh sales,...

Olson Takes Over As President of Georgia Independent Agents

Jun 13 2013 // Betsy K. Olson was installed as president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia Inc. (IIAG) during the association’s recent annual convention in Amelia Island, Florida. Olson is vice president of marketing...

Agents Helping Agents in Recovery from Oklahoma Tornadoes

Jun 3 2013 // Twelve hundred homes damaged or destroyed, 33,000 people impacted and $2 billion in property losses.Those are damage estimates from the deadly F5 tornado that hit the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore on May 20, just one day...

Agents Helping Agents in Recovery from Oklahoma Tornadoes

May 29 2013 // Twelve hundred homes damaged or destroyed, 33,000 people impacted and $2 billion in property losses.Those are damage estimates from the deadly F5 tornado that hit the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore in the afternoon of May...