Latest Independent Agencies Headlines

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

Independent Insurance Agents of Texas Names Webb Young Agent of the Year

Jul 6 2012 // The Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) announced that Andy Webb of Watkins Insurance Group in Austin was named the André P. Juneau Young Agent of the Year at IIAT’s 115th Annual Conference and Trade Show...

Neal Honored with Texas Agent Association’s Drex Foreman Award

Jul 5 2012 // The Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) honored former Corpus Christi independent insurance agent Loyd Neal with the Drex Foreman Award presented at IIAT’s 115th Annual Conference and Trade Show in San...

10 Things Agencies Do Right (and Wrong) with Agency Management Systems

Jul 2 2012 // As a volunteer engaged with a network of agency management system vendor clients, I have an opportunity to hear from my peers about their experiences and compare this with what goes on in our own office. While we all find...

Agents, Insurers Cheer Congress OK of Flood Insurance Reform Bill

Jun 29 2012 // The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America today praised Congress for passing the “Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2012.” The legislation will extend the National...

Reactions to Healthcare Ruling Coming In; What’s Yours?

Jun 28 2012 // Industry and other reactions to the U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act have been coming in. Readers are encouraged to offer their own reactions in Comments...

Watkins Elected President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas

Jun 21 2012 // The Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) elected Patrick Watkins, president of Watkins Insurance Group in Austin, to serve as president for 2012-2013 during IIAT’s 115th Annual Conference and Trade Show in...

Business Moves – East

Jun 18 2012 // American International GroupAIG’s property/casualty division Chartis announced the launch of its hospitality and leisure industry practice group, which will provide specialized insurance and risk management products...

8 Things Independent Agents Can Learn From Sam Walton

Jun 8 2012 // Wal-Mart and independent agencies seemingly have little in common. Not so. There are many helpful ideas to cull from Mr. Walton’s amazing odyssey from one store to the largest retailer in the world — as revealed in...

Hurry, Don’t Miss Out: Submit Today for Top 100 Independent Agency Recognition

May 31 2012 // Once again, Insurance Journal is on the search for leading privately-held property casualty independent agencies and brokerages for its annual Top 100 Property/Casualty Independent Insurance Agencies report.Top Overall...

How High-Tech Use by Young Agents Is Changing the Way the Insurance Industry Operates

May 23 2012 // San Diego, CA, 05/23/12 – Tech-savvy young independent insurance agents are changing how the property/casualty insurance industry operates, a new survey reveals.Jason D. Cass, owner of the JDC Insurance Group based...

Nationwide Mutual Completes Harleysville Acquisition

May 21 2012 // Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. has completed its previously announced $834 million merger deal with Harleysville Mutual Insurance Co.The deal was first announced in September 2011. Nationwide Mutual policyholders voted to...

8 Things Independent Agents Can Learn from Sam Walton

May 21 2012 // Wal-Mart and independent agencies seemingly have little in common. Not so. There are many helpful ideas to cull from Mr. Walton’s amazing odyssey from one store to the largest retailer in the world — as revealed in...

How Young Insurance Agents Are Changing the Industry

May 17 2012 // There’s a change happening — a big change. And some say young independent insurance agents are the catalyst for that change. They may even be leading a revolution, of sorts, says one young agent leader.Jason D....

Submit Today: Top 100 Independent Insurance Agencies

May 9 2012 // Once again, Insurance Journal is on the search for leading privately-held property casualty independent agencies and brokerages for its annual Top 100 Property/Casualty Independent Insurance Agencies report.Top Overall...

Business Moves – East

May 7 2012 // Worldwide Facilities, PrivettWorldwide Facilities, a Los Angeles-based independent surplus-lines broker and managing general agency, acquired assets of Privett Special Risk Services, a New York City-based wholesaler....

Oil, Economy Fuel Insurance Hiring in Texas

May 7 2012 // Across the nation, employment levels in insurance agencies and brokerages declined at a faster rate than the overall U.S. employment level since the recession began in 2007. The good news: Some independent agencies across...

Nationwide Mutual Completes Harleysville Merger

May 1 2012 // Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. said that the company completed its previously announced $834 million merger deal with Harleysville Mutual Insurance Co.The deal was first announced in September 2011. Nationwide Mutual...

Big ‘I’ Chairman Donohoe Extols Association’s Value in Fast-Changing Times

Apr 27 2012 // Speaking at the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (IIABA) conference, IIABA Chairman Mike Donohoe said the association is an indispensable partner and guide for independent agents in a rapidly changing...

Iowa’s Fulwider Honored with Big ‘I’ Woodworth Memorial Award

Apr 27 2012 // The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers (the Big “I”) has awarded an Iowa agency owner, Bob Fulwider, with the Woodworth Memorial Award, the highest honor the association bestows on one of its membersThe...

1,000 Independent Agents Lobbying Lawmakers in Washington

Apr 26 2012 // More than 1,000 independent agents from around the country will be visiting Capitol Hill offices in Washington, D.C., today to lobby members of the House, Senate and their staffs.Called “The Big ‘I’ Day...