Latest Independent Agencies Headlines

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

CAA Adds Agencies from Oklahoma and Kansas

Mar 10 2009 // Austin, Texas-based Combined Agents of America LLC (CAA) announced it has expanded outside of Texas with two new members, Ed Berrong Insurance Agency, based in Oklahoma and Bridges Group Inc., based in Kansas.A...

A Letter to the President

Mar 9 2009 // President Barack Obama recently received the following letter from the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America congratulating him on becoming the 44th President of the United States of America, and...

A Letter to the President

Mar 9 2009 // President Barack Obama recently received the following letter from the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America congratulating him on becoming the 44th President of the United States of America, and...

Changing Demographics Offer a World of Opportunity for Enterprising Agents

Mar 9 2009 // Before the 21st century reaches the half-way mark, more than 50 percent of the population of the United States will be represented by a vast cultural mix of people considered to be “minorities,” according to...

Mercury Insurance Chairman: Independent Agents Will Always Have Future

Feb 22 2009 // Despite the seemingly difficult times independent insurance agents may be facing today, they will always have a future, according to George Joseph, chairman and founder of Mercury Insurance, considered one of the most...

Who’s Worth What?

Feb 22 2009 // Independent insurance agencies remain reliable employers even in these rocky economic times, but even they have to cut back occasionally.Whether due to efficiencies from technology, the lingering soft market, the...

Start-Up Stories: How New Agencies Are Competing

Feb 8 2009 // The independent insurance agency system is enjoying a resurgence. For years, the number of agencies in the country had been declining but that trend, while not reversed, has been halted. The number in 2008 was 37,500...

Liberty Mutual Drops Direct Sales to Middle Market Businesses

Feb 8 2009 // Liberty Mutual Group is throwing in the towel on direct distribution of insurance to middle market businesses. Because it couldn’t beat independent agents and brokers — who dominate sales in this segment...

Human Services Agencies Can Benefit from Agent Advice, Especially in Challenging Economic Times

Feb 8 2009 // While today’s economic environment presents some challenges for many companies large and small, independent agents who understand and embrace those challenges can help solve problems for their clients and even create...

Mercury Insurance Chairman: Independent Agents Will Always Have Future

Feb 5 2009 // Despite the seemingly difficult times independent insurance agents may be facing today, they will always have a future, according to George Joseph, chairman and founder of Mercury Insurance, considered one of the most...

Western Insurance Agent/Broker Association Installs New Officers

Feb 4 2009 // Insurance Brokers and Agents of the West (IBA West) CEO Clark Payan recently installed the associations new officers and directors. Following will serve in 2009.President Richard E. Dinger of Crescenta Valley Insurance,...

Armitage Awarded Insurance Broker/Agent Association’s Ramsden/Sullivan Award

Feb 2 2009 // The Ramsden/Sullivan Memorial Award, Insurance Brokers and Agents of the West’s most prestigious award, was presented to James T. Armitage at the 2009 IBA West Annual Meeting & Installation Luncheon in Glendale,...

Final Call: Who’s Worth What in the Independent Agency System?

Feb 2 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...

BancInsure Products Now Available to Bankers, Agents in Texas

Jan 30 2009 // Oklahoma-based BancInsure’s insurance and risk management products are now available to Texas bankers through their local independent insurance agents, the company announced.“As a former Texan I understand the...

Acuity to Add New Mexico Coverage for Independent Agents

Jan 27 2009 // Acuity of Sheboygan, Wis., announced it will begin writing business in New Mexico. The expansion into the New Mexico marketplace is planned for mid-2009. Acuity is a property and casualty insurer that operates in 18...

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...