The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, Inc., also known as the Big “I"® or IIABA® is a national trade association that strives to provide independent insurance agents and brokers with a sustainable competitive advantage in the insurance marketplace by equipping members with tools and resources, and advocacy and support, to maintain excellence in business and customer service.
The Big “I" provides resources, advocacy, and support to help members build and grow their businesses.Member agencies have access to exclusive products, services and education created for independent agents, by independent agents and our partners.
Find stable rates and a long-term market that you can rely on to protect your greatest asset, your business.
We work alongside national consumer co-brand, Trusted Choice, and help with marketing, branding and content resources and training.
We provide personal and commercial lines exclusive referrals to TrustedChoice.com users.
Big “I” Markets provides access to affluent, cyber liability, small commercial, non-standard auto, habitational and bonds. All with no fees, no volume commitment, competitive commissions, and agents own their expirations. Eagle Agency provides market access for new and smaller agencies.
We provide state and federal legislative advocacy, in-depth research on issues affecting independent agents and their clients, best practices analysis and resources for agencies of any size, technical insurance expertise and education, technology resources and roadmaps, and company advocacy, including guidance and advice on appointment contracts.
We connect you with leadership and sales skills for young agents, new insurance apprenticeship program, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and give access to candidates and job posting tools.
Founded in 1896, the Big “I" is a federation that includes the national association and 51 independent state associations, each led by an executive, staff and a volunteer agent leadership team. Many states also have local chapters. When an agency joins a state association, it also becomes a member of Big “I" national and the Trusted Choice® brand. Together, we support nearly 25,000 independent agency locations nationwide. The Big “I" also has an international agent and broker members.
Independent agents represent multiple insurance carriers and offer choice, customization, and advocacy to their customers. Big “I" members offer consumers all types of insurance—property, casualty, life, health, employee benefit plans, and retirement products.
The Big “I" is governed by an executive committee and a national board. The executive committee is made up of seven elected members and has one agent chair. The national board has one volunteer agent director from each state association. Top priorities of the Big “I" include effective advocacy for its members in all branches of government and sectors of insurance, as well as effective communications on behalf of independent agents and brokers and their customers.
Every day at the Big “I,” our national staff works together to uphold the following core values as we support and advocate for independent insurance agents and brokers.
Providing value and top-notch service to independent agents and brokers is at our core. We are devoted to exceeding the expectations of our customers—our members—by empowering them with the best tools and resources to thrive and serve their communities. The Big “I” champions our members’ interests with enthusiasm and care. We serve so they can succeed. As colleagues, we support each other in doing meaningful work through the giving of our time and resources. The Big “I” enhances lives.
We are creative problem-solvers who enjoy working together to benefit independent agents. We hire smart, passionate people who embrace different perspectives to help us and our members grow. We lean on our partnerships with industry stakeholders to leverage our collective strength. Our teamwork encourages sharing of ideas, skills, resources … and fun.
In all we do, the Big “I” is guided by unwavering ethics, honesty, and morals. We serve our members with accountability and transparency. We act responsibly and reliably. We prove our integrity every day by doing what is right and not what is easy.
We embrace change and seek ways to improve and advance in a constantly evolving insurance industry and marketplace. We strive relentlessly to strengthen the independent agency system through different technology, strategies, and solutions for our members—both agencies and state associations. The Big “I” is a culture of creativity and continuous improvement.
We value the contributions of all Big “I” members and staff. We treat people with dignity, courtesy, and kindness – regardless of differences in opinion, background, or beliefs. We respect each other’s time and work. We welcome and encourage different points of view in everything we do.
Trusted Choice ®
Big I Advantage ®
ACT® / Agents Council for Technology ®