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2007 Press Releases

ALEXANDRIA, VA. Dec. 20, 2007—While 2007 has turned out to be a relatively mild year for both natural and man-made disasters, there is no way to predict what the New Year will bring. To better prepare to meet disaster assistance needs in 2008 and beyond, the charitable foundation for Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, Inc. (the Big “I”) has created the Trusted Choice® Disaster Relief Fund. The Big “I” will make the first contribution to the fund.
WASHINGTON, D.C., December 18, 2007-The House of Representatives today passed H.R. 2761, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Revision and Extension Act of 2007 (TRIREA), legislation to extend the federal terrorism insurance backstop, which is set to expire at the end of this year. The bill, which was previously approved by the Senate, now moves to President Bush’s desk for his signature.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 13, 2007—The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) applauds Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Senator Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and the other members of the Senate for defeating the Brown/Sununu amendment to cut the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP). The amendment failed today by a vote of 32-63 during consideration of the 2007 Farm Bill.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 12, 2007—The House of Representatives today passed H.R. 4299, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (TRIPRA), which tracks the TRIA extension legislation recently passed by the Senate and adds a number of provisions from the previously-passed House bill. The amended legislation would maintain the Senate’s seven year extension but includes a reset for large terrorist events, a $50 million trigger, travel underwriting restrictions and coverage for group life insurance.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., December 5, 2007—Midwest Family Mutual Insurance Company, based in Plymouth, Minn., is the newest independent agency system insurance company and first insurance company with headquarters in Minnesota to join the Trusted Choice® brand movement.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 20, 2007—As the holiday shopping season unofficially kicks off this week, about 42 million American households plan to give or receive high-tech electronic products this year. However, about seven out of eight households don’t fully understand key aspects of their insurance coverage for these purchases, according to a new national survey by Trusted Choice® and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”).
WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 16, 2007—The Senate today passed the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (TRIPRA) of 2007, legislation to extend the federal terrorism insurance backstop, which is set to expire at the end of this year.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 9, 2007— Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3355, the Homeowners' Defense Act of 2007. The bill, sponsored by Reps. Ron Klein (D-Fla.) and Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.), would address the growing problem of natural disasters.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 6, 2007—The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) applauds Senators Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) for introducing the Homeowners' Defense Act of 2007, intended to address the growing problem of the availability and affordability of natural disaster insurance.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 1, 2007—The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) announced today the release of its annual Best Practices Study, which includes the new “Rule of 20” statistic which provides a quick means of calculating whether or not an agency creates value for its shareholders.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 30, 2007—Trusted Choice® agents, along with the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) and IBA West, have teamed up to aid California residents in need in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 26, 2007— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) supports a recently introduced flood insurance bill, H.R. 3959 sponsored by Rep. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.) and Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.), which would gradually phase-out some of the subsidies in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 25, 2007—The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) applauds Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and the other members of the Committee for passing Senator Roberts’ amendment to de-link the Average Crop Revenue (ACR) from the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP) and for including a permanent PRP repeal as part of the 2007 Farm Bill. The 2007 Farm Bill passed the Senate Agriculture Committee today.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 18, 2007-The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) has honored Diane Mattis, CPCU, AIAM, AFIS, Director of Education and Technical Affairs for the Independent Insurance Agents (IIA) of Virginia, with the Sprit of Education award.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 17, 2007-The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I'), applauds Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), Ranking Member Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), and the other members of the Committee, for passing the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (TRIPRA) of 2007 and the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act (FIRM) of 2007.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 9, 2007-Bob Bramlett has been elected to the Executive Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I'). He was sworn in at the Big 'I' Leadership Conference in San Diego.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 4, 2007-Robert E. Fulwider was inaugurated Sunday as the new chair of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I'), with C. Brett Nilsson, CIC, and J. David Daniel assuming the offices of chair-elect and vice chair, respectively. The new officers were sworn in at the Big 'I' Leadership Conference in San Diego.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 3, 2007-The National Young Agents Committee (YAC) of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I') presented its most prestigious annual award to the Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina at the 2007 Young Agents Leadership Institute this past weekend.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 3, 2007-The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big 'I'), the nation's largest insurance association, testified today before a hearing of the House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises on insurance regulatory reform.
WASHINGTON, D.C., September 27, 2007-The House of Representatives today passed H.R. 3121, the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization (FIRM) Act of 2007. The bill, sponsored by House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), would modernize and reform the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 26, 2007-The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I') applauds House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank (D-Ma.) and other members of the Committee for approving the Homeowners' Defense Act of 2007, intended to address the growing problem of natural disasters.
WASHINGTON, D.C., September 19, 2007-The House of Representatives today passed H.R. 2761, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Revision and Extension Act of 2007 (TRIREA), legislation to extend the federal terrorism insurance backstop, which is set to expire at the end of this year. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Mass.) and House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.), is critical to maintaining affordable and available terrorism coverage.
WASHINGTON, D.C., September 6, 2007- The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I'), the nation's largest insurance association, testified today before a joint hearing of the House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, and the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises to discuss H.R. 3355, the Homeowners' Defense Act of 2007.
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 26, 2007-Alex Soto, President of The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I'), the nation's largest insurance association, participated today on a panel of insurance industry executives at the annual meeting of the Southern Governors Association in Biloxi, Mississippi.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., August 13, 2007-Trusted Choice® will be featured on the television show 'Designing Spaces' starting on Friday.
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 9, 2007-The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I') applauds The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) for passing a resolution supporting the preservation of the McCarran-Ferguson Act's limited anti-trust exemption and opposing congressional proposals to revise the decades-old law.
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 6, 2007-The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I') supports a bill introduced Friday in the House that would allow purchasers of eligible small businesses to depreciate as much as $5 million of acquired intangible assets over the course of a five-year period.
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 6, 2007-The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I') applauds Reps. Ron Klein (D-Fla.) and Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.) for introducing the Homeowners' Defense Act of 2007, intended to address the growing problem of natural disasters.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., August 2, 2007- The Main Street America Group has begun airing Trusted Choice television advertising to promote its insurance products and services that are offered exclusively through independent agents. The company will be the first carrier to ever run Trusted Choice TV advertising in a local market.
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 1, 2007-The House Committee on Financial Services today took a major step today toward extending the federal terrorism insurance backstop by passing H.R. 2761, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Revision and Extension Act of 2007 (TRIREA).
ALEXANDRIA, Va., August 1, 2007-The Big 'I' Virtual University (VU) has appointed Craig F. Stanovich, CPCU, CIC, AU, co-founder and principal of Austin & Stanovich Risk Managers, LLC as its newest expert. Stanovich a nationally recognized expert in the field brings extensive expertise in commercial insurance including: commercial general liability, additional insureds, commercial property and time element, umbrella liability, business auto, workers' compensation and employment practices liability.
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 1, 2007-The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I') applauds Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (d-CT) and the other members of the Committee for passing the Commission on Natural Catastrophe Risk Management and Insurance Act of 2007. The legislation would establish a bipartisan commission to examine natural disaster risks and recommend possible solutions for this serious problem.
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 25, 2007—The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I') opposes the National Insurance Act of 2007 (NIA), introduced today by Rep. Melissa Bean (D-Ill.) and Rep. Ed Royce (Cal.).

The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I') opposes the National Insurance Act of 2007 (NIA), introduced today by Rep. Melissa Bean (D-Ill. and Rep. Ed Royce (R-Ca.).
ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 17, 2007-EMC Insurance Companies, based in Des Moines, Iowa, is the newest independent agency system insurance company to join the Trusted Choice brand movement. EMC provides property and casualty insurance products and services throughout the United States through 21 branch and service offices strategically located throughout the country and writes reinsurance contracts worldwide.
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 25, 2007-The House of Representatives took a step forward today in reforming state insurance regulation by passing H.R. 1065, the Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2007.
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 21, 2007-The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (The Big 'I'), the nation's largest insurance association, testified today before the House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises in support of H.R. 2761, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Revision and Extension Act of 2007 (TRIREA).
WASHINGTON, D.C.,June 19, 2007-The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I') strongly supports the Terrorism Risk Insurance Revision and Extension Act of 2007 (TRIREA), introduced Monday by Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Ma.) and House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-Ma.).
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 12, 2007-The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I'), the nation's largest insurance association, testified today before the House Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity in support of The Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization (FIRM) Act of 2007, H.R. 1682.
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 7, 2007- A new national survey by Trusted Choice® and The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I') found that nearly 3.0 million households have lost their homeowners coverage since 2003. Despite the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, most homeowners have done nothing to structurally reinforce their home to protect against a natural disaster.
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 24, 2007-The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I') opposes S.40, the National Insurance Act of 2007 (NIA), introduced by Sen. John Sununu (R-N.H.) and Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.)
WASHINGTON, DC, May 15, 2007-The Big 'I' state associations in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Alabama were recognized for their outstanding commitment to education as the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big 'I') presented the four state associations with the L.P. McCord National Education Award.
WASHINGTON, DC, May 9, 2007-Three national insurance companies and an insurance technology company recently received the prestigious 'Best Practices Award of Excellence' at the 2007 Big 'I' Legislative Conference & Convention. The awards were presented at the Young Agents Breakfast and Leadership Panel on April 27.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 7, 2007-The results of the 2005 market share study by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, Inc. (the Big 'I')again show that the independent agency system remains strong with plenty of growth opportunities.
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 3, 2007-Big 'I' CEO Bob Rusbuldt moderated an Insurance Panel and Town Hall meeting of industry stakeholders at the National Legislative Conference & Convention of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) in Washington, D.C. The forum was the first insurance town hall meeting to include representatives from all industry stakeholders: a legislator, an insurance regulator, a consumer advocate, an independent agent and an insurance carrier CEO.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 2, 2007-It's a groundbreaking event for the insurance industry: representatives of all insurance stakeholders in one place at one time, discussing the industry's challenges and opportunities, and taking audience questions. When the Big 'I' hosts the Insurance Town Hall meeting on April 27 as part of the Big 'I' Legislative Conference & Convention, lively discussion and debate is guaranteed.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 26, 2007-Sen. Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn.) and House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) addressed 1,400 independent insurance agents and brokers at the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America's (the Big 'I') National Legislative Conference & Convention.
Matt Berry of the William Gammon Agency in Austin, Texas,today received the Woodworth Memorial Award,the highest honor the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (The Big 'I')bestows upon an individual.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) spoke to young independent agents and brokers from nearly all 50 states, along with the state and national InsurPac leaders, at the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America's (the Big 'I') National Legislative Conference yesterday. Wasserman Schultz addressed the Young Agent-InsurPac Luncheon.
The Trusted Choice(r) branding message is getting noticed---this time by a panel of film professionals. The latest Trusted Choice(r) commercial, 'Life Changes,' has won an Aurora Award for excellence, taking home the 2007 Gold Award in the insurance category.
The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America testified today on the need for a national solution for natural disaster coverage, noting that natural disaster risk poses a looming crisis for consumers.
National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) will speak to national leaders of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I') on April 24, just prior to the group’s Legislative Conference & Convention.
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 29, 2007-Sen. Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn) will speak to members of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers (the Big 'I') during its Legislative Conference & Convention in April.
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 27, 2007-The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I')applauds House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank and lead co-sponsor Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL) for their introduction of the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization (FIRM) Act of 2007.
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 20, 2007 - The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I') applauds Senators Bill Nelson(D-FL) and Mel Martinez (R-FL) for today's introduction of six different pieces of legislation aimed at comprehensively addressing hurricane and other natural disaster insurance issues across the nation. Senator Nelson and Martinez each took the lead in sponsoring three bills and serving as the lead cosponsor of the other three.
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 13, 2008—The Big “I” today expresses its strong support for bipartisan agent licensing reform legislation introduced by Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) and Rep. Geoff Davis (R-Ky). This legislation is also supported by the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 8, 2007 - Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), a rising star of the Democratic party and a member of House leadership as the Chief Deputy Whip, will speak to members of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers (the Big 'I') during its Legislative Conference & Convention in April. Wasserman Schultz will address the Young Agents/InsurPac luncheon on April 25.
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 7, 2007 - The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I') today urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to retain the McCarran- Ferguson limited antitrust exemption for the business of insurance.
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 5, 2007 - In the heart of the world's financial markets, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I') today urged Congress to protect the country's economic stability by ensuring availability of terrorism risk insurance through a continued federal role.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 28, 2007-Today marks the annual ACSR Tribute Day in honor of the graduates of the Accredited Customer Service Representative (ACSR) program, a joint effort between the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I')the American Institutes for CPCU (AICPCU) and the Insurance Institute of America (IIA).
WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 28, 2007-The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I')today urged Congress to ensure availability of terrorism risk insurance through a continued federal government role and to examine long-term solutions before the current backstop legislation expires.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 26, 2007-House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) will speak to members of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers (the Big 'I') during its Legislative Conference & Convention in April.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 22, 2007-House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Missouri) will speak to members of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers (the Big 'I') during its Legislative Conference & Convention in April.
The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I') opposes the National Insurance Act of 2007 (NIA), introduced today by Rep. Melissa Bean (D-Ill.), and Rep. Ed Royce (R-Ca.).
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 9, 2007 The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I') says the debate over windstorm coverage is crucial for consumers and independent agents and brokers in many regions throughout the country.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 9, 2007 - A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the Financial Strength Ratings (FSR) to A+ (Superior) from A (Excellent) of Westport Insurance Company, the endorsed agency E&O provider of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, Inc. (The Big 'I'). The A+ (Superior) strength rating combined with placement in the maximum Financial Size Category (FSC) Class XV places Westport in the top 5% of property-casualty insurers tracked by A.M. Best.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 9, 2007--The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I') is looking for producers with a special blend of personality, salesmanship and technical expertise to take The Ultimate Producer Challenge. The association is now accepting applications for the event, which will culminate at April's Big 'I' Legislative Conference & Convention in Washington, D.C.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 8, 2007--Trusted Choice is celebrating the New Year by hitting the airwaves with a brand new television commercial. Viewers tuning in to the Travel Channel this month will learn about the benefits the nearly 7,000 participating Trusted Choice agencies can offer--choice, advocacy and customization--at every consumer life stage.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 5, 2007--The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I') applaud Reps. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Fla.) and Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) for introducing legislation to address the growing problem of natural disasters.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 2, 2007--The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big 'I') looks to build on its successes in 2006 by advocating aggressively for a number of important legislative reforms, at both the federal and state levels, in 2007.
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