Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers News

New Federal Mandates Won’t Impact Premium Finance Transactions: Big I

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently issued a final rule as part of the Dodd-Frank Act, and thanks to the lobbying efforts of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big “I”) and others, premium financing transactions have been …

Big I President & CEO Rusbuldt to Retire Next Year

The longest tenured top executive of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big I) has decided to step down. Bob Rusbuldt, who has been the CEO of Big I since 2001, informed the association’s national board of directors …

Number of Independent Agencies Dips a Bit: Future One Study

Despite continued robust agency mergers and acquisitions activity, the number of independent insurance agencies has remained stable at 36,000, a number slightly below the last tally of 36,500 in 2018. That’s according to the 2020 Agency Universe Study from Future …

Independent Agents Seek Digital, Product Support From Carriers to Battle Direct Writers

Independent insurance agents and their carrier partners face strong headwinds in their efforts to maintain their dominance among distribution channels due to increased competition and evolving consumer expectations, according to new research. According to the J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Independent …

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

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 grant will be dispersed directly to independent agencies via …

California’s Armitage Given Big “I” Highest Honor

The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers has given Jim Armitage the Woodworth Memorial Award, the highest honor IIABA bestows on one of its members, during the annual Big “I” legislative conference. Armitage is vice president of Arroyo Insurance in Arcadia, …

IIABNY Launches Hydrofracking Task Force

Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of N.Y. Inc. recently launched a hydrofracking task force to examine insurance coverage issues and to assist New York region’s agents and brokers. IIABNY’s hydrofracking task force will hold its first meeting on October 3, …