Latest Independent Agencies Headlines

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

Independent Agents Feel Hurricane Katrina’s Full Force

Dec 19 2005 // Residents in many areas of the Gulf Coast watched their lives change forever on Aug. 29, 2005.When all was said and done, Hurricane Katrina went in the record books as the country’s worst natural disaster, leaving a...

How to Choose the Right Bank for Your Agency

Dec 18 2005 // As an independent agent or agency owner, you have unique financial needs. Unfortunately, few banks truly understand those needs. Worse yet, it has become the norm for banks to also sell insurance, meaning they actually...

Sheppard Named S.C. Big ‘I’ President; Ruef Retiring Dec. 31

Dec 15 2005 // G. Frank Sheppard has been named president of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of South Carolina, assuming the leadership role from Leland C. Ruef, president, who retires Dec. 31.As chief staff member, Sheppard...

National Producer Registry Appoints Big ‘I’ Exec as Vice President

Dec 14 2005 // Wesley Bissett, vice president for government affairs and state relations for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America has been elected vice president of the National Insurance Producer Registry.Bissett...

Hurricane Katrina: The Long Road to Recovery <em>An Insurance Journal Exclusive Video Report from the Gulf States</em>

Dec 14 2005 // With Gulf Coast residents and the insurance industry trying to recover from the country’s worst natural disaster ever, two Insurance Journal reporters set out to see for themselves the effects of Hurricane...

IIASA to Present CE Seminar on Third Party Coverage Issues

Dec 7 2005 // The Independent Insurance Agents of San Antonio announced it will hold a continuing education seminar on third party coverage issues on Dec. 14.The seminar will be presented by Fred L. Shuchart of Kroger, Myers, Frisby...

Balboa Stops Writing Non-Standard Business in Alabama

Dec 7 2005 // Balboa has notified the Independendent Insuarnce Agents and Brokers Association that as of Dec. 30 it will no longer be writing non-standard business. IIABA is waiting on communication from Balboa regarding how they plan...

FAIA: Employment Crisis Threatens Agencies

Dec 5 2005 // An impending employment crisis is threatening independent insurance agents and will become disastrous by 2010 unless employers act now, Lisa Harrington, Florida Association of Insurance Agents vice president of education...

News Briefs

Dec 4 2005 // Greenberg Will Not Face Criminal Charges: Additional civil charges against former American International Group Inc. Chairman and CEO Maurice “Hank” Greenberg are possible, but no state criminal charges are...

Agency Consolidation Dynamics are Ripe for the Picking

Dec 4 2005 // The consolidation of insurance agencies has played a prominent role within the industry over the last 30 years. Now more than ever, however, such activity increasingly influences the average size of distributors, the scope...

News Briefs

Dec 4 2005 // ALABAMAAlabama Expects 50,000 Claims More than 50,000 claims are expected in Alabama from hurricane damage, however, complete cost estimates won’t be available until this month.Ragan Ingram, Department of Insurance...

FAIA: Employment Crisis Threatens Agencies

Dec 4 2005 // An impending employment crisis is threatening independent insurance agents and will become disastrous by 2010 unless employers act now, Lisa Harrington, Florida Association of Insurance Agents vice president of education...

IIAT Survey Shows Improved Conditions in Texas Homeowners, Auto Markets

Dec 1 2005 // Independent insurance agents in Texas report improved homeowners insurance coverage and lower premium prices for both homeowners and auto insurance as the year comes to an end.A survey of more than 1,800 member agencies by...

Drive Insurance Helps Fund Virginia Big ‘I’ Education Institute Building

Nov 30 2005 // Karen Barone, Virginia product manager for Drive Insurance from Progressive recently presented Tom Welch, president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia, with a check for $25,000, as part of a $50,000 commitment...

Independent Broker Network Hosts Annual Producer Appreciation Party

Nov 30 2005 // The Independent Broker Network (IBN) is hosting its 12th Annual Producer Appreciation Party in Dublin, Calif., on Dec. 8, 2005 at the Amerisutes Hotel of Dublin and On The Border Mexican Cantina. The event has been...

Florida Big ‘I’ Suggests Elimination of HRA Would Solve the State’s Wind Risk Problem

Nov 30 2005 // A proposed “solution” to Florida’s hurricane insurance problems, based on impressive research and an independent actuarial analysis showing hundreds of millions of dollars in savings has been announced by...

Big ‘I’ Leader Says Hurricane Response ‘Too Slow;’ Hails Flood Reform, TRIA Progress

Nov 22 2005 // The insurance industry’s response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita has been “too slow” and the job of adjusting claims is a long way from being completed in the view of the leader of the nation’s...

How to Choose the Right Bank for Your Agency

Nov 21 2005 // As an independent agent or agency owner, you have unique financial needs. Unfortunately, few banks truly understand those needs. Worse yet, it has become the norm for banks to also sell insurance, meaning they actually...

How to Choose the Right Bank for Your Agency

Nov 20 2005 // As an independent agent or agency owner, you have unique financial needs. Unfortunately, few banks truly understand those needs. Worse yet, it has become the norm for banks to also sell insurance, meaning they actually...

Big ‘I’ Throws Backing Behind House Terrorism Insurance Bill

Nov 15 2005 // The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) said it strongly supports H.R. 4314, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Revision Act, introduced late Monday by Subcommittee Chairman Richard...