Latest Independent Agencies Headlines

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

In a Time of Uncertainty, We Remain Certain of Independent Agents

Apr 29 2020 // Seattle, WA, April 29, 2020 In this open letter to the independent agent channel, Liberty Mutual Small Commercial and Safeco President Tyler Asher outlines how carriers and agents are navigating this turbulent time...

Turning 50, Invest High School Program Eyes Apprenticeships for Independent Agencies

Apr 20 2020 // A new apprenticeship program aimed at attracting and developing talent in the independent agency system is being rolled out by an insurance education organization that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.Invest, the...

As Cyber Risks Grow, So Does the Need for Small Business Coverage

Apr 20 2020 // With cyberattacks on the rise and many small businesses unaware of the dangers, independent insurance agents are in a good position to educate clients about their risks, recommend preventative measures, and provide...

Progressive Gives $2M to Big ‘I’ Fund to Aid Agencies Affected by Coronavirus Crisis

Apr 16 2020 // Progressive Insurance has donated $2 million to establish the Trusted Choice COVID-19 Relief Fund in response to the economic and operational challenges the coronavirus crisis has presented to independent agencies.The...

Marsh & McLennan Acquires Illinois Independent Agency, Assurance

Apr 1 2020 // Marsh subsidiary Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC (MMA) has acquired Schaumburg, Illinois-based Assurance Holdings Inc.Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Founded in 1961, Assurance is a full-service brokerage...

Turning 50, Invest High School Program Eyes Apprenticeships for Independent Agencies

Mar 19 2020 // A new apprenticeship program aimed at attracting and developing talent in the independent agency system is being rolled out by an insurance education organization that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.Invest, the...

Agency M&As: Private Equity Still in Driver’s Seat; Digital Agencies Attract Attention

Mar 2 2020 // The private equity bandwagon continued to roll through the insurance agency and brokerage mergers and acquisitions territory in 2019. As many as two-thirds of all deals involved private equity, according to experts. Most...

Insurtech: It’s not Just for Carriers Anymore

Feb 28 2020 // Until recently, insurtech not only was perceived as a competitive threat to independent agents, there was little startup activity dedicated to tackling the operational needs of insurance agents and brokers. That’s...

Renaissance Alliance Insurance Services Adds 3 Agencies to Florida Network

Feb 19 2020 // Renaissance Alliance Insurance Services, a nationwide membership alliance for independent insurance agencies, has added three independent insurance agencies to its Florida network.The new members include: Bellken Insurance...

Private Equity Still Driving Agency M&As

Feb 10 2020 // Digital Buys Getting Some Attention; Buyers Getting Bigger; Prices Going Higher; Eyes on DigitalThe private equity bandwagon continued to roll through the insurance agency and brokerage mergers and acquisitions territory...

Why Traditional Independent Agents, Carriers Need to Partner and Align Now More Than Ever

Jan 27 2020 // Agencies and carriers need to align now more than ever.I will add a condition to this statement: Quality independent agencies and quality carriers need to align now more than ever if they are to thrive. Unfortunately, I...

Wolf Promoted to President of Big I Advantage, Replacing Departing Buse

Jan 21 2020 // Mark Steven Wolf is the new leader of Big I Advantage, replacing Paul Buse who is moving on after more than 21 years with the company.Wolf is now president of Big I Advantage, IIAA Agency Administrative Services, IIAA...

Industry Trends to Exploit for 2020

Jan 13 2020 // The insurance industry is so intertwined into the economy and society, that just about any noticeable change in either will have some impact for the insurance industry.That is why it is imperative for agency owners to...

Fastcomp Creates ‘Workers’ Comp Insurance Exchange’ for Independent Agents

Jan 10 2020 // Fastcomp, a workers’ compensation technology platform based in Boston Heights, Ohio, has introduced a proprietary Multiple Quote Automation engine for monoline workers’ comp with independent agents in mind.The...

Big I Education Director Boggs Takes on Expanded Role in Risk Management

Jan 8 2020 // Chris Boggs, executive director of education for the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (Big I), is adding risk management to his title and responsibilities.Boggs’s new role combines his current...

Ohio Agents Honor Berg of Big ‘I’ with Industry Citation Award

Dec 24 2019 // Ohio Insurance Agents Association (OIA) has presented Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s Ron Berg with its Industry Citation Award.Berg has served as executive director of the Big “I”...

TSLA, Austin Independent Agents Group Donate Food, Cash to Food Bank

Dec 24 2019 // The Independent Insurance Agents of Austin and the Texas Surplus Lines Association Inc. joined efforts in December to collect food and money for the Capital Area Food Bank located in Austin, Texas.Food and money were...

Independent Insurance Agent Group Rep Calling Attention to Climate Change Dangers

Dec 19 2019 // A representative for an independent insurance agent group in one state has penned an opinion column calling attention to the dangers posed by climate change.“Going forward, our state remains vulnerable to the...

What Captive Agents Transitioning to Independent Agents Should Consider in Agency Management Systems

Dec 16 2019 // There’s a storm brewing for many captive insurance agencies and their agents, and that storm may be lengthy.As an example, Nationwide is one of a number of captive insurance companies that are actively converting...

How One Independent Agency is Changing the World

Dec 16 2019 // Sterling L. Hammack, Jr., the founder of Professional Insurance Associates (PIA) in San Carlos, Calif., was an extensive world traveler. During his life, Sterling visited over 100 countries, including many in Africa, often...