VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY MOVING TO PAID SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE SEPTEMBER 1
Virtual University Classes Still Available to All
ALEXANDRIA, VA, August 10—Starting September 1, the Big “I” Virtual University (VU), the highly-acclaimed, state-of-the art online insurance educational and informational resource program developed by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”), will offer non-Association members the option to purchase subscriptions to the university’s research and reference services.
Big “I” members will continue to have unlimited, free access to the VU as a member benefit.
Individual non-member subscriptions will be available for a $395 annual fee, and non-member groups can purchase 10 or more individual subscriptions at discount pricing of 10% off each when purchased in bulk. Individual subscriptions can be purchased online at the VU using a major credit card (please visit www.independentagent.com and click on the Virtual University link).
VU subscribers will receive a variety of benefits including unlimited access to more than 4,000 pages of timely industry information; a subscription to VUpoint, the biweekly VU e-newsletter and its fully searchable archives; as well as immediate access to a library of “white papers” on hot insurance topics.
This change will not have an impact on accessibility to insurance educational classes available online at the VU, stresses Madelyn Flannagan, Big “I” vice president of education and research.
“It is important to note that subscriptions will not be required to access online VU classes,” explains Flannagan. “These courses will remain open to anyone who wants to access quality online insurance training.” Flannagan added that the prices of these courses will vary by class topic and length.
Big “I” members can take advantage of their free access to the VU by ensuring that each of their agency employees has received a user ID and password.
Big “I” members and their employees who do not have a Big “I” user ID and password can click on the Member Login icon at www.independentagent.com, then click on “Don’t Know Password” and follow the onscreen instructions. If this approach does not generate a password, they can click on the link in the “Member Login Information” section and request a password by sending an e-mail with their name and their agency contact information.
Non-member independent insurance agencies are encouraged to contact their state Big “I” association to become a member so they can receive access to the VU. Other interested individuals are encouraged to secure their subscription online.
For more information about Big “I” membership and VU subscriptions, please visit www.independentagent.com.
Founded in 1896, IIABA is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing a network of more than 300,000 agents, brokers and their employees nationally. Its members are businesses that offer customers a choice of policies from a variety of insurance companies. Independent agents and brokers offer all lines of insurance—property, casualty, life and health—as well as employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.
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