Latest Independent Agencies Headlines

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

Mergers Slow as New Agencies Pop Up

Dec 21 2008 // 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 industry insiders say is driven by a slowdown in...

After Stormy 2008, P/C Industry Facing Uncertainty in New Year

Dec 21 2008 // Ask agents and executives in the insurance industry about the coming 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...

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 // Independent insurance agents and brokers are concerned about the future of contingent commissions, according to a recent survey.But that’s just one of several major concerns agents have. They also have doubts about...

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...

Alabama, Mississippi Agencies Among 6 Named Top Performers by Big ‘I’

Nov 2 2008 // Reagan Consulting and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big “I”) announced the Best Practices Agencies for 2008-2009. A total of 189 agencies from around the country maintained their...

Aon Selling Auto Insurance Broker in California to Mercury General

Nov 2 2008 // Mercury Casualty Co., the largest insurance subsidiary of Los Angeles-based Mercury General Corp., agreed to buy Auto Insurance Specialists Inc. from Aon Corp.AIS is an independent broker and producer of automobile...

How Independent Agencies Reduce E&O Exposure

Nov 2 2008 // 40 Risk Management Steps Independent Agents Implemented to Lower Their Risk The exclusive 2008 Insurance Journal Agency E&O Survey asked independent agents what risk management steps their agency has implemented to...

Why Agents Choose Other Markets Rather Than Their Preferred Markets

Nov 2 2008 // While independent agents have their favorite carriers for certain risks, on occasion they end up choosing a carrier other than their preferred carrier. Most often the reason they do is pricing.Independent agents named...

North Carolina Independent Agents Announce 2008 Award Recipients

Oct 29 2008 // The Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina announced its 2008 industry award winners during the 111th IIANC Annual Convention held Oct. 12-15 in Asheville, NC. The 2008 Agent of the Year is J. Rives...