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2012 Press Releases

The Big "I" provides numerous resources to assist consumer and general business writers, editors and producers with insurance-related or small business-related stories. IIABA has knowledgeable staff sources as well as hundreds of local agent spokespeople located in communities across the nation who are available to answer questions from reporters and serve as news sources on insurance-related consumer issues.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 4, 2013 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) praised Congress for acting to increase the borrowing authority of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) by $9.7 billion to ensure that the current funds are not exhausted next week. The increase in borrowing authority is needed by the NFIP in order to pay the enormous number of flood claims expected from Superstorm Sandy.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 20, 2012 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, has announced that Denise Johnson has joined its national board. Johnson is vice president and insurance producer of ECI Agency in Piedmont, Okla.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 6, 2012 —As millions of Americans host and attend holiday parties across the street or across the country, many may be unaware of the risks they may be taking. According to Trusted Choice® and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) party hosts need to understand their responsibilities when inviting people into their homes and serving food and drinks.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 3, 2012 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, recently announced that Lindsey Shank has joined its national board. Shank is BB&T Insurance assistant agency manager in St. Petersburg, Fla.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 19, 2012 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) applauded the National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) for adopting the “Certificates of Insurance Model Act” yesterday during NCOIL’s annual meeting in Point Clear, Ala.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 13, 2012 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, recently announced that Brian D. Flemming has joined its national board. Flemming is Harleysville Insurance vice president of marketing and agency relations.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 7, 2012 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today announced that its political action committee, InsurPac, distributed more than $1.8 million in the 2012 campaign cycle resulting in a 84% congressional victory rate.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 1, 2012 —The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) announced the release of its 2012 Best Practices Study which found that organic growth improved, albeit modestly, and profitability held constant across most of the study’s six revenue groups.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 26, 2012 – Hurricane Sandy is predicted to make landfall this weekend and could potentially cause billions of dollars in damage to some of America’s most populated cities. As millions of people prepare for what could be a historically devastating storm, the Big “I” and Trusted Choice® advise consumers to be cautious when returning to devastated property to recover losses.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 18, 2012 — The number of independent insurance agencies has increased, newer agencies are growing and the system as a whole is dynamic, according to the 2012 Agency Universe Study (AUS).
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 11, 2012 – The InVEST program awarded William “Bill” Allen, Jr., Travelers Select Sales Executive, with the Dach Award which honors an insurance industry volunteer who has made tremendous contributions in fostering the growth and development of InVEST.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 3, 2012 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) has announced that David Allen Walker, AAI, CIC, LIC was installed as the association’s vice chairman at the association’s recent Leadership Conference in Atlanta.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 2, 2012 — Thomas J. Minkler, CIC, was installed as chairman-elect of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) at the association’s recent Leadership Conference in Atlanta.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 1, 2012 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) has announced that Vaughn Graham, CPCU, CIC, AFSB, of Tulsa, Okla. was installed as the newest member of IIABA’s Executive Committee at the association’s 2012 Fall Leadership Conference in Atlanta.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 20, 2012 – The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today praised the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce for reporting H.R. 1206, the “Access to Professional Health Insurance Advisors Act of 2011,” for consideration by the full House.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 14, 2012 — Robert “Bobby” Bramlett has been inaugurated as the new chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”), with Tom Minkler as chairman-elect, David Walker as vice chairman and Vaughn Graham as an at-large executive committee member. The new officers began their terms at the conclusion of the board meeting held in conjunction with the Big “I” Fall Leadership Conference this past weekend in Atlanta.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 14, 2012 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) has announced that Robert “Bobby” Bramlett was installed as its chairman at the association’s 2012 Fall Leadership Conference in Atlanta.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 12, 2012 —The National Young Agents Committee (YAC) of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) presented its most prestigious annual award to the Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia, Inc.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 11, 2012 — The Big “I” today testified in a hearing before the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Insurance, Housing and Community Opportunity titled, “TRIA at Ten Years: The Future of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program.”
WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 11, 2012 – The Big “I” today praised the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health for their action on H.R. 1206, the “Access to Professional Health Insurance Advisors Act of 2011.”
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 10, 2012 – The Big “I” presented insurance carriers Central Insurance, Erie Insurance Group, Harleysville Insurance, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Progressive Insurance and Travelers with the prestigious Best Practices Award of Excellence.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 6, 2012 – The InVEST program awarded Bill Daniel, 18 year veteran William R. Boone High School teacher in Orlando, Fla., with the InVEST Teacher of the Year Award. The program is a key driver to attract new talent to the insurance industry.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 5, 2012 — Big “I” independent insurance agent associations in 19 states today were recognized with Excellence in Insurance Education (EIE) Awards at the association’s Education Convocation in Atlanta.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 4, 2012 – Trusted Choice®, the consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers, raised $150,000 with a special social media campaign for Make-A-Wish®.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 31, 2012 –As Mississippi and Louisiana residents recover from Isaac’s wrath, the Big “I” and Trusted Choice® advise consumers to be cautious when returning to devastated property to recover losses.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 30, 2012 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America National Young Agents Committee (YAC) today announced the insurance carrier presidents’ panel that will take place as part of the Big “I” Young Agents Leadership Institute next month in Atlanta.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 30, 2012 – Severe weather from Tropical Storm Isaac continues to impact the Gulf Coast region. As Mississippi and Louisiana residents recover from Isaac’s wrath, the Big “I” and Trusted Choice® advise consumers to be cautious when returning to devastated property to recover losses.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 24, 2012 – Trusted Choice®, the consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers, is in the final days of the a special social media campaign to raise money for Make-A-Wish® and has already raised more than $100,000.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 16, 2012 – A Trusted Choice® media buy on the Weather Channel is airing with a new ad highlighting a Joplin, Mo. woman who survived the 2011 tornado that devastated her town. She praises her Trusted Choice® independent insurance agent for his excellent customer service at a time when his agency was also destroyed by the tornado.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 14, 2012 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, recently announced that Daniel J. Mastrototaro has joined its national board. Mastrototaro is vice president of business development at The Hanover Insurance Group.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 13, 2012 - Trusted Choice® announced that Summer Roachell of Conway, Ark. and Austin Smotherman of Loomis, Calif., won the girls and boys divisions, respectively, at the recent 44th Annual Trusted Choice® Big 'I' National Championship in Austin, Texas.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 2, 2012 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, recently announced that Ian Hoffman has joined its national board. Hoffman is Applied Systems chief marketing officer.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 1, 2012 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today commended the U.S. House of Representatives for passing H.R. 8, the “Job Protection and Recession Prevention Act,” that would extend the 2001 and 2003 tax rates through 2013.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 31, 2012 – Trusted Choice®, the consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers, is launching a special social media campaign to raise money for Make-A-Wish®.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 25, 2012 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s Agents Council for Technology (ACT) will host a free one hour webinar titled “Measuring your Social Networking Success” on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. EDT.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 19, 2012 – Earlier today, a Trusted Choice®-themed custom motorcycle designed by the renowned Orange County Choppers to raise money for Make-A-Wish was unveiled by Paul “Paul Sr.” Teutul, Sr., Orange County Choppers owner and “American Chopper” star.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 12, 2012 – Next week, Trusted Choice®, the consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers, will unveil a Trusted Choice®-themed custom motorcycle designed by the renowned Orange County Choppers to raise money over the next year for Make-A-Wish.
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 11, 2012 — The Big “I” today praised the U.S. House of Representatives for passing H.R. 6079, which would fully repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 6, 2012 — The Big “I” today praised President Barack Obama for signing a new law that extends the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for five years and makes needed reforms to the program.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 5, 2012 - InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, has awarded $61,500 in scholarships to 55 students pursuing insurance-related degrees.
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 29, 2012 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today praised Congress for passing the “Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2012.”
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 28, 2012 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) expressed disappointment with the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court on the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 21, 2012 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) commends the U.S. Senate for passing S. 3240, the “Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012” (known as the Senate 2012 Farm Bill) today in a 64-35 vote.
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 20, 2012 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today commended the defeat of an amendment offered by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) to S. 3240, the “Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012” (known as the Senate 2012 Farm Bill), which failed by a 33-66 vote.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 6, 2012 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, recently announced that Phil Swettenham has joined its national board. Swettenham is Westfield Insurance distribution leader.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 31, 2012 – Although hurricane season officially starts tomorrow, named storms got an early start this year and have been whirling around the Atlantic Ocean for days keeping meteorologists busy and independent insurance agents nervous as Congress goes down to the wire in extending the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 30, 2012 — The Big “I” today commended Congress for passing a 60-day extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 24, 2012 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today commended the U.S. Senate for passing a 60 day extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) by unanimous consent.
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 17, 2012 — The Big “I” today testified in a hearing before the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management titled, “Formulation of the 2012 Farm Bill: Commodity Programs and Crop Insurance.”
ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 11, 2012 – The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) Young Agents Committee (YAC) sponsored a successful casino night fundraiser titled “YAC Gives Back: A Benefit for InVEST Scholarships” in conjunction with the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention and the annual InVEST Silent and Live auction.
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 9, 2012 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today testified before the United State Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Policy at a hearing titled, “The National Flood Insurance Program: The Need for Long-Term Reauthorization and Reform.”
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 9, 2012 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today testified before the United State Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Policy at a hearing titled, “The National Flood Insurance Program: The Need for Long-Term Reauthorization and Reform.”
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 3, 2012 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America National Young Agents Committee (YAC) announced that Jocelyn Horton of ISU Insurance Services of Colorado, Inc., in Denver, Colo. is the winner of the 2012 Maurice Herndon Scholarship award.
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 1, 2012 — Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-Ohio), chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, recently addressed the association’s Large Agent/Broker and CEO dinner.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 26, 2011 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers (the Big “I”) yesterday awarded Bob Fulwider with the Woodworth Memorial Award, the highest honor the association bestows on one of its members, at the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 27, 2012 — Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Rep. John Barrow (D-Ga.) yesterday addressed the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) membership at the association’s annual Legislative Conference & Convention.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 27, 2012 — Mort Kondracke, FOX News political analyst and senior editor for Roll Call, and Fred Barnes, FOX News political analyst and founder of the Weekly Standard, offered political insight on a range of issues today during the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention. Bob Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO, moderated the political panel.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 26, 2012 — Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill) addressed the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) Annual Young Agents & InsurPac State Chairpersons Legislative Luncheon at the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention this week.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 26, 2012 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) this week named U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services Chairman Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.) as the Gerald Solomon-IIABA Legislator of the Year for 2011.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 26, 2012 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) yesterday bestowed three prestigious awards at the annual Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 24, 2012 – The Big “I” today expressed its strong support for a bipartisan insurance agent licensing reform bill titled the “National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Reform Act” (NARAB II). The bipartisan bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate today by Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Mike Johanns (R-Neb.).
ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 23, 2012 – Sterling Insurance Company is the newest member of the Trusted Choice® consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 19, 2012 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today commended the U.S. House of Representatives for passing legislation, H.R. 9, the “Small Business Tax Cut Act of 2012,” that would provide qualified small businesses with a new tax deduction.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 17, 2012 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, today participated in Financial Literacy Day on Capitol Hill.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 13, 2012 — The Big “I” today announced that Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-Ohio), chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures which has jurisdiction on tax issues, will address the association’s Large Agent/Broker and CEO dinner on April 26.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 10, 2012 — The Big “I” today announced that Rep. John Barrow (D-Ga.), lead Democrat sponsor of H.R. 1206, the “Access to Professional Health Insurance Advisors Act of 2011,” and Co-Chairman of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of fiscally conservative Democrats, will address the association’s membership on Thursday, April 26.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 2, 2012 – Co-operative Insurance Companies is the newest member of the Trusted Choice® consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers.
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 26, 2012 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today announced that U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services Chairman Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.), will address the Annual Leadership Luncheon, just prior to the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention.
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 21, 2012 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today commended U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) for introducing legislation, H.R. 9, the “Small Business Tax Cut Act of 2012,” that would provide qualified small businesses with a new tax deduction.
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 15, 2012 — The Big “I” today participated in a hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry titled, “Risk Management and Commodities in the 2012 Farm Bill.”
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 27, 2012 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) and Trusted Choice® team recently received two Association TRENDS All Media Awards.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 16, 2012 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today announced that Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, will address the association’s membership on Thursday, April 26.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 3, 2012 – The Big “I” today expressed its strong support for S. 2068, the “Access to Independent Health Insurance Advisors Act of 2012,” authored by Senators Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.).
WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 2, 2012 — The Big “I” today announced that Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.) will address the Annual Young Agents & InsurPac State Chairpersons Legislative Luncheon at the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 2, 2012 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, is actively supporting efforts across the country for members of the independent agency system to participate in National Job Shadow Day. Numerous InVEST students, agents, brokers, company leaders and other industry leaders are participating today.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 1, 2012 – Broome Co-operative Insurance Company (BCIC) is the newest member of the Trusted Choice® consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers. BCIC, headquartered in Vestal, N.Y., has joined 64 other leading insurance companies nationwide as a Trusted Choice® company partner.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb 1, 2012 — The Big “I” today praised the U.S. House of Representatives for passing H.R. 1173, the “Fiscal Responsibility and Retirement Security Act of 2011,” by Rep. Charles Boustany (R- La.), which would repeal the CLASS Act.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 31, 2012 — The Independent Agents & Brokers of America Big “I” Professional Liability Program and Swiss Re Corporate Solutions recently launched a new and improved risk management “E&O Happens” website available exclusively to agency E&O Swiss Re Corporate Solutions policyholders.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 26, 2012 —Veteran journalists and political commentators Fred Barnes and Mort Kondracke will headline the political panel at the Big “I” annual Legislative Conference & Convention this spring.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 19, 2012 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, recently announced that Jeremy Chaseley has joined its national board. Chaseley is CNA assistant vice president, producer and product development.
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