Agents & Brokers News

Last Chance: Young Agents, Tell Us What You Think

Are you a young insurance agent, 40 years old or younger? Do you know a young insurance agent? Today is the deadline to tell the industry what you think. Participate now in this year’s Young Insurance Agents Opinion Survey. Share …

Agents Seek Mobile Apps for Customer Self-Service, Sales Help: Survey

Independent agents and brokers want their customers to be able to “self-serve” on mobile devices, and sales and quotes are key capabilities for agent-facing applications on tablets, according to preliminary results of a new research study. More than 50 percent …

Agency Compensation: Who’s Worth What in Your Independent Agency?

From top level managers to office and support staff — every person in an agency has a role to play in helping the agency win in the sales game. When one person fails, the whole agency suffers. And when an …

FERMA Calls on EU Parliament to Enforce Minimum Disclosure Standards for All Broker Business

The Federation of European Risk Management Associations (FERMA) is calling on the European Parliament to ensure that all insurance buyers are entitled to a minimum European standard of disclosure in the revised Insurance Mediation Directive (IMD2). FERMA’s bulletin said it …

Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford Moving to ‘Next Level,’ Says CEO Esser

On the last day of February, international independent broker Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford (CGSC) made some significant changes in the management of its U.S. operations. In a telephone interview with Insurance Journal, CGSC Group CEO Toby Esser described them …

Calling Young Insurance Agents: Tell Us What You Think

Are you a young insurance agent, 40 years old or younger? Do you know a young insurance agent? Insurance Journal is once again searching for young insurance agents to participate in this year’s Young Insurance Agents Opinion Survey. Tell us …

Agents Hang Onto P/C Market But Lose Ground in Personal Auto: Study

After experiencing dwindling premiums for years, the property/casualty insurance industry managed to grow substantially in 2011. Independent agents and brokers hung onto their share of the market with some independent agency carriers gaining in market share by double digits, according …

U.S. Commercial Lines Rates Up 4% in February: MarketScout

Commercial lines property/casualty insurance rates rose 4 percent on average in February 2013 compared February 2012, a recent survey revealed. The U.S. commercial insurance rate index, published by MarketScout, shows transportation and energy rates have lead rate increases over the …

Commentary: Agents Act Now on Healthcare Reform

For agents and brokers, 2013 is a relatively quiet period related to Affordable Care Act requirements. However it should be a busy time for agents and brokers to begin preparing their clients for what is coming in 2014. Helping human …

BMS Group Posts 2012 Revenue Growth through Expansion

Independent broker BMS Group announced that it has “continued the momentum of its expansion in 2012 confirming revenues in excess of £63 million [$95 million], up 20 percent on 2011. Over the past two financial years this equates to 27 …