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2019 Press Releases

Big "I" provides numerous resources to assist consumer and general business writers, editors, and producers with insurance-related or small business-related stories. The Big "I" 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.
Below are just a few of the topics that Big "I" experts have addressed in recent media interviews: Auto Insurance Choosing the Right Insurance College Students/Graduates and Insurance Finding the Right Insurance Agent Holiday Safety Issues Homeowners Insurance Home-Based Business Insurance Insuring Jewelry and Collectibles Life Insurance Pet Insurance Renters Insurance Small Business Insurance Needs Teen Drivers Travel Insurance Umbrella Liability Policies Wedding Insurance	To speak to an Big "I" source or locate an independent agent to interview in your local area, contact IIABAs Media Relations Department at (800) 221-7917 or by email: Media questions: Sue Nester, Vice President Communications Logo Assistance: Midori Oglesby, Senior Graphic Designer

Big ‘I’ Applauds House Action on Agent Priorities

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 17, 2019— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) commends the U.S. House of Representatives for passing legislation that would reauthorize the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and repeal the Affordable Care Act’s “Cadillac tax,” all as part of government funding legislation.

Big ‘I’ Statement on NFIP Reauthorization

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 21, 2019— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) today released the following statement by Charles Symington, Big “I” senior vice president of external, industry and government affairs, on the Congressional reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Veruna Joins Agents Council for Technology

ALEXANDRIA, VA, November 21, 2019—Veruna is the newest company partner of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s Agents Council for Technology (ACT).

Big 'I' Applauds House Passage of TRIA Reauthorization

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 18, 2019— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) thanks the U.S. House of Representatives for passing H.R. 4634, the “Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act,” in a strong bipartisan vote.

Big 'I' Commends Senate Banking Committee for TRIA Reauthorization

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 20, 2019— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) thanks the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs for passing S. 2877, the “Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act.”

Big ‘I’ Applauds House Financial Services Committee for TRIA Reauthorization

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 31, 2019— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) thanks the House Financial Services Committee for unanimously passing H.R. 4634, the “Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act.”

Big ‘I’ Statement on Introduction of International Insurance Standards Act

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 30, 2019 —The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) today released the following statement by Charles Symington, Big “I' senior vice president of external, industry and government affairs, on the introduction of the International Insurance Standards Act of 2019.

Big "I" Applauds House Passage of Financial Services Cannabis Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 25, 2019 -- The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) thanks the U.S. House of Representatives for passing legislation which would protect agents and brokers who write insurance coverage for legitimate cannabis-related businesses from criminal prosecution and civil liability. H.R. 1595, the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act overwhelmingly passed the House with a vote of 321-103.

Big ‘I’ Applauds Efforts to Avoid NFIP Lapse

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 19, 2019— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I') thanks the U.S. House of Representatives for passing a measure to extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through November 21st as part of government funding legislation.

New Leaders of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America Installed

ALEXANDRIA, VA, Sept. 19, 2019— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) installed South Carolina’s Jon Jensen, Correll Insurance Group, Spartanburg, as 2019-20 Big “I” chairman at the recent Big “I” Fall Leadership Conference in Savannah, Georgia.

Applied and InVEST Share Results of Gen Z Recruiting Survey

ALEXANDRIA, VA – September 17, 2019 – Applied Systems and InVEST today announced the findings of a survey conducted to understand Generation Z’s awareness of career opportunities within the insurance industry and their outlook on pursuing work in this field. The report, The Future of Insurance: Bye-Bye Boomers, Hello Digital Natives, focuses on how insurance companies and agencies can leverage this information to have the greatest chance of attracting the next generation of workers.

Rigid Bits Joins Agents Council for Technology

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Sept. 4, 2019—Rigid Bits is the newest company partner of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s Agents Council for Technology (ACT).

Levitate Joins Agents Council for Technology

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, August 29, 2019—Levitate is the newest company partner of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s Agents Council for Technology (ACT).

Applied Systems Executive Joins InVEST Board

Alexandria, VA – Aug. 22, 2019 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom-to-career education program, is pleased to announce that Darcy Waddell has been appointed to its national board. Waddell is vice president of education services at Applied Systems, a leading global provider of cloud-based software that powers the business of insurance.

Big “I” Applauds Founding of Bipartisan Congressional Crop Insurance Caucus

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 19, 2019 The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) applauds Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Illinois) and Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Pennsylvania) for founding the bipartisan Congressional Crop Insurance Caucus.

Big ‘I’ Statement on Senate Introduction of NFIP Reauthorization

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 18, 2019 —The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I') today released the following statement by Charles Symington, Big “I' senior vice president of external, industry & government affairs, on the Senate introduction of the NFIP Reauthorization Act (NFIP-RE) of 2019:

Big “I” Applauds House Repeal of “Cadillac” Tax

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 17, 2019—The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) today applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing legislation which would repeal the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) 40% excise tax or “Cadillac” tax. Reps. Joe Courtney (D-Connecticut) and Mike Kelly (R-Pennsylvania) are the lead sponsors of H.R. 748, the Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act.

Big ‘I’ Names New Federal Government Affairs Counsel

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 10, 2019—Heather Eilers-Bowser has joined the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) Capitol Hill team as federal government affairs counsel. Her role will include federal legislative and regulatory policy analysis and working with members of Congress and their staff on issues impacting the independent agency system and the insurance market.

InVEST Awards 37 Academic Scholarships

Alexandria, VA – June 12, 2019 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, announced today that it has awarded $53,500 in scholarships to 37 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 for an industry that will need more than 400,000 workers in the next five years.

Big ‘I’ Applauds House Financial Services Committee for Flood Reauthorization

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 12, 2019— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I') thanks the House Financial Services Committee for passing a measure to extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for five years.

Big ‘I’ Statement on NFIP Reauthorization through Sept. 30

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 3, 2019 —The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I') today released the following statement by Charles Symington, Big “I' senior vice president of external, industry & government affairs, on the Congressional reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP):

Big ‘I’ Statement on NFIP Reauthorization

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 30, 2019 —The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I') today released the following statement by Charles Symington, Big “I' senior vice president of external, industry & government affairs, on the Congressional reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) before the May 31 deadline:

Big ‘I’ Thanks Senate for Passing NFIP Extension

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 23, 2019 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I') praises the U.S. Senate for passing a measure to extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through Sept. 30.

Big ‘I’ Statement on House Passage of ENROLL Act

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 16, 2019 —The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I') today released the following statement by Charles Symington, Big “I' senior vice president of external, industry & government affairs:

Big ‘I’ Applauds Efforts to Avoid NFIP Lapse

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 14, 2019— 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 Sep. 30.

DAIS Joins Agents Council for Technology

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, April 9, 2019—DAIS is the newest company partner of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s Agents Council for Technology (ACT).

Rep. Stephanie Murphy to Address Big “I” Members

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 8, 2019 - The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I') today announced that Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Florida) will address the Young Agents & InsurPac State Chairpersons Legislative Luncheon at the annual Big “I' Legislative Conference.

Big ‘I’ Testifies Before Congress on NFIP Reauthorization

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 13, 2019— Today, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) testified at a hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services entitled “Preparing for The Storm - Reauthorization of The National Flood Insurance Program.” Chris Heidrick, CPCU, ANFI, CFP®, principal of Heidrick & Company Insurance and Risk Management Services in Sanibel, Florida and Big “I” Flood Insurance Task Force chairman, testified on behalf of the association.

Crop Insurers: OMB Proposed Budget Harms Rural America

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2019 – The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) today released a proposed Fiscal Year 2020 budget that includes steep cuts to the Department of Agriculture and federal crop insurance program. OMB’s budget proposal is not expected to receive serious consideration by Congress.

Big “I” Statement on New DOL Overtime Rule Proposal

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 8, 2019 —The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) today released the following statement by Charles Symington, Big “I” senior vice president of external, industry & government affairs:

AVYST Joins Agents Council for Technology

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, March 5, 2019—AVYST is the newest company partner of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s Agents Council for Technology (ACT).

Winners Announced in the College Agency Management Competition

Alexandria, VA, March 1, 2019 –Today InVEST and the Big “I” Diversity Council announced Indiana State University, Ohio State University and the University of North Texas as the winning teams in the 2nd Annual College Agency Management Competition. Winners were chosen based on business results of owning and operating a virtual insurance agency.

Ways & Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal to Address Big “I” Legislative Conference Breakfast

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 26, 2019— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today announced that House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-Massachusetts) will address the association’s membership on Thursday, May 9, 2019.

Chris Wallace to Address Big “I” Members

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 11, 2019— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today announced that FOX News Sunday host Chris Wallace will be a featured speaker at the annual Big “I” Legislative Conference.

College Agency Management Competition Kicks Off

Alexandria, VA – Feb. 4, 2019 – Today kicks off the 2nd annual College Agency Management Competition hosted by InVEST and the Big “I” Diversity Council. The event is designed to teach college students the basics of entrepreneurship, insurance agency management and business operations through a virtual online competition developed by PriSim.

Big “I” Statement on House Introduction of “Cadillac” Tax Repeal

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 24. 2019 —The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today released the following statement by Bob Rusbuldt, Big “I” President & CEO on the introduction of the “Cadillac” tax repeal:

Big “I” Commends Final Pass-Through Tax Regulation

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 18, 2019 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) commends the Trump Administration for finalizing an IRS regulation making clear that owners and shareholders of insurance agencies and brokerages organized as pass-through entities can fully benefit from a new tax deduction.

Insurance Agents & Brokers Secure Tax Break

WASHINGTON (January 18, 2019)—The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America issue the following joint statement: