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2018 Press Releases

Big “I” Joint Statement on FEMA Action to Limit NFIP Operations

WASHINGTON (Dec. 26, 2018)—The American Insurance Association, Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers, Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, and the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America issue the following joint statement:

Big “I” Statement on NFIP Extension

WASHINGTON.C., December 22, 2018 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today released the following statement from Charles Symington, Big “I' senior vice president of external, industry and government affairs on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) extension through May 31, 2019.

Big “I” Hires Helps Agents Find Top Talent

ALEXANDRIA, Va. Dec. 19, 2018— According to the latest Agency Universe Study, 44% of independent insurance agency owners say finding qualified new recruits is their top challenge. The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or Big “I”), in partnership with IdealTraits, has launched Big “I” Hires—a one-stop resource for independent insurance agencies to identify, hire and assess top-performing producers and CSRs.

The Hill Newspaper Names Big “I” Leaders Among Top DC Lobbyists

WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 18, 2018—The Hill, a leading political newspaper, has named Bob Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO, and Charles Symington, Big “I” senior vice president of external, industry, and government affairs, among the top trade association lobbyists in Washington, D.C.

Big “I” Applauds Passage of Farm Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 12, 2018 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) applauds passage of a 2018 Farm Bill that supports the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP), a critical risk management tool for America’s farmers.

Western National Insurance Joins Agents Council for Technology

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Dec. 10, 2018—Western National Insurance is the newest company partner of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s Agents Council for Technology (ACT).

Applied Systems Donates $35,000 to InVEST

Alexandria, VA – Oct. 17, 2018 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom-to-career education program, is pleased to announce that Applied Systems has donated $35,000 to the program. Reid French, CEO of Applied, announced the donation during a keynote presentation at this week's Applied Net 2018, the flagship conference for Applied software users and the largest gathering of independent insurance professionals in the world.

InVEST Program Announces Teacher and Volunteer of the Year Awardees

Alexandria, VA – September 19, 2018 – InVEST has awarded the 2018 InVEST Teacher of the Year Award to Linda Bruno, a business teacher at Dryden High School in upstate New York and the 2018 InVEST Volunteer of the Year award to John Scheck, a claims representative at Insurance Planning Inc. in Hays, Kansas.

Consumers Beware: Top Five Post-Hurricane Mistakes

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Sept. 18, 2018— Sadly, the biggest mistake people make in protecting themselves against hurricanes such as Florence is not buying flood insurance in the first place. According to a 2016 study commissioned by Trusted Choice® and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”), at least 73% of survey respondents didn’t have a flood insurance policy that is separate from their homeowners coverage, leaving them with no coverage for damage due to rising water and vulnerable to potentially catastrophic financial loss. However, even those consumers with flood insurance can make mistakes in the storm recovery process that can cost them big bucks.

Trusted Choice Independent Insurance Agents Offer Florence Recovery Tips

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Sept. 17, 2018— As residents of states affected by Hurricane Florence assess the damage in the coming days, Trusted Choice® independent insurance agents and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) advise consumers to take the following steps when it is safe to return to their homes.

First Ever InVEST Graduate Named Chair of National InVEST Board

Alexandria, VA – Sept. 13, 2018 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom-to-career education program, has appointed Lindsey Shank, CIC, as the new chair of its national board. She is vice president and regional agency operations manager for McGriff Insurance Services, Inc. (a subsidiary of BB&T Insurance Holdings) in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Trusted Choice Independent Insurance Agents Provide Tips In Advance of Hurricane Florence

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Sept. 10, 2018— As Hurricane Florence threatens the East Coast, Trusted Choice® independent insurance agents and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) suggest taking the following steps to prepare for the storm.

Grange Insurance Joins Agents Council for Technology

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Aug. 21, 2018—Grange Insurance is the newest company partner of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s Agents Council for Technology (ACT).

Big “I” Hires Dave Evans for Life and Retirement Initiatives

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Aug. 1, 2018— Dave Evans CFP, AIFA, has rejoined the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) as senior vice president, Big I Advantage Life & Retirement Solutions. Evans previously spent two decades at the Big “I” managing a variety of key areas for the association prior to co-founding 401ksleuth LLC. Evans will now focus on growing the Big “I” MEP 401(k) plan and launch of the Big “I” lifetime income initiative, which is aimed at helping members and their clients manage longevity risk.

Big "I" Praises Senate Passage of NFIP Extension

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 31, 2018 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) praises the U.S. Senate for passing a measure to extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through Nov. 30.

Swyfft Partners with Trusted Choice®

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, July 24, 2018 — Trusted Choice® welcomes Swyfft as the newest member of the Trusted Choice® consumer branding program for Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers. The New Jersey-based homeowner’s insurance company joins over 60 other leading companies nationwide as a Trusted Choice® company partner.

Big "I" Applauds House Efforts to Avoid NFIP Lapse

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 25, 2018 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) thanks the U.S. House of Representatives for passing a measure to extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through Nov. 30.

InVEST Awards 46 Academic Scholarships

Alexandria, VA – July 11, 2018 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, announced today that it has awarded $62,500 in scholarships to 46 students pursuing insurance-related degrees. A non-profit organization, InVEST works in high school and college classrooms across the U.S. to educate, train and attract the next generation of insurance professionals to the industry which is estimated to need over 400,000 workers by 2020.

Big "I" Applauds Passage of International Insurance Standards Act

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 10, 2018 —The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing H.R. 4537, the “International Insurance Standard Act of 2018,” by Reps. Sean Duffy (R-Wisconsin) and Denny Heck (D-Washington).

Big "I" Statement on Senate Farm Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 28, 2018 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I') today released the following statement by Charles Symington, Big “I' senior vice president of external, industry & government affairs, on the passage of a Farm Bill that supports the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP):

ACT Launches Customer Experience Website

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, June 28, 2018— The Agents Council for Technology has launched a new Customer Experience Planning Website. This interactive online resource is designed to help agents understand the customer experience lifecycle and leverage technology to achieve the ease of doing business consumers expect.

Big "I" Applauds House Support for Crop Insurance

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 21, 2018 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today applauds the House’s support of a strong Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP) in passing H.R. 2, the “Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018,” by Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas).

Big "I" Statement on Crop Insurance and the Farm Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 17, 2018 —The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today released the following statement by Charles Symington, Big “I” senior vice president of external, industry & government affairs, on the failure of a Farm Bill amendment that would have effectively phased out the Federal Crop Insurance Program.

Trusted Choice Award for Community Involvement Goes to Michigan Agency

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, May 7, 2018–Trusted Choice® has awarded the annual Dan Fulwider Award for Community Involvement to Alliance Financial & Insurance in Lowell, Michigan.

Big "I" Names New Director of Federal Government Affairs

Joseph Cortina has joined the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) Capitol Hill team as director of federal government affairs. He joins the association’s bipartisan lobbying team primarily as a liaison to Democrat congressional offices.

Community Mutual Joins Trusted Choice®

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, March 20, 2018–Community Mutual Insurance Company is the newest member of the Trusted Choice® consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers. Community Mutual, based in New York, joins 61 other leading companies nationwide as a Trusted Choice® company partner.

House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer to Address Big “I” Legislative Conference Breakfast

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 13, 2018— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today announced that House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland) will address the association’s membership on Thursday, April 19, 2018.

SES Insurance Brokerage Services Joins Trusted Choice®

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, March 7, 2018–SES Insurance Brokerage Services is the newest member of the Trusted Choice® consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers. SES Insurance Brokerage Services, based in Santa Ana, Calif., joins 71 other leading companies nationwide as a Trusted Choice® company partner.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to Address Big “I” Legislative Conference Breakfast

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 5, 2018— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today announced that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) will address the association’s membership on Thursday, April 19, 2018.

XDimensional Technologies Joins Agents Council for Technology

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Feb. 23, 2018—XDimensional Technologies is the newest company partner of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s Agents Council for Technology (ACT).

Neilson Marketing Services Joins Agents Council for Technology

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Feb. 22, 2018—Neilson Marketing Services is the newest company partner of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s Agents Council for Technology (ACT).

Big I Advantage® Announces Promotions

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Feb. 21, 2018— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) announced that Aimee Fawns and Christine Munoz have been promoted to assistant vice presidents of Big I Advantage.

Rep. Kathleen Rice to Address Big "I" Members

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 14, 2018— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today announced that Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-New York) will address the Young Agents & InsurPac State Chairpersons Legislative Luncheon at the annual Big “I” Legislative Conference.

Bret Baier To Address Big “I” Members

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 2, 2018— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today announced that FOX News Channel’s Bret Baier be will be a featured speaker at the annual Big “I” Legislative Conference.

Agents Council for Technology Releases Texting Resources

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Jan. 30, 2018—The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s Agents Council for Technology (ACT), in conjunction with the Big “I” Office of the General Counsel, has released a sample text messaging opt-in form and sample terms and conditions to help agents meet the requirements of the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

Big “I” Praises “Cadillac” Tax Delay

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 23, 2018— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today released the following statement from Charles Symington, Big “I” senior vice president of external, industry & government affairs, on the two-year delay of “Cadillac” tax.

Xanatek Joins Agents Council for Technology

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Jan. 19, 2018—Xanatek is the newest company partner of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s Agents Council for Technology (ACT).

InsureZone Joins Agents Council for Technology

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Jan. 16, 2018—InsureZone is the newest company partner of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s Agents Council for Technology (ACT).