(WASHINGTON - Jan. 6, 2009) — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) today announced that its political action committee, InsurPac, raised a total of $901,985.84 during the 2008 calendar year, setting a new record for receipts in a calendar year. 

“This marks the 8th consecutive year that InsurPac has grown and we expect this trend to continue as we surpass the million dollar mark in 2009,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president and CEO. “Our membership has always prided itself on political engagement, and the continued growth of InsurPac says that we’re not slowing down anytime soon.”

For the two year election cycle, InsurPac will close the books with over $1.73 million in receipts, maintaining its presence as the largest property-casualty political action committee. During that same time, over $1.6 million was disbursed to representatives, senators and other candidates for federal office. Ninety-two percent of InsurPac-supported candidates won in 2008.

“InsurPac donors can be extremely proud of how effectively their donations have been put to use,” says Nathan Riedel, Big “I” vice president for political affairs. “Very few PACs can claim such a high winning percentage when distributing so much money.”

In disbursing contributions, InsurPac does not look at party affiliation but supports representatives, senators, and candidates for federal office that have been advocates and supportive of the independent agency system. 

Founded in 1896, the Big “I” 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, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.

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