Latest Independent Agencies Headlines

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

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...

Mergers Slow as New Agencies Pop Up

Dec 21 2008 // Report: Number of Agencies Unchanged Since 2006 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...

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

Dec 21 2008 // Agents Wish for Firmer Pricing, Higher Commissions, Solid Client Retention, Unity on Legislation Ask agents and executives in the insurance industry about the coming year and they’ll say they expect that the market...

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...