ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 14, 2010 — Future One, a collaboration of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big "I") and leading independent agency companies, announced that Erie Insurance has joined the coalition.
“Collaborating with Future One supports our efforts to build strategic relationships with our industry partners and proactively engage in business discussions for our customers and communities,” says Ann Scott, Erie Insurance vice president and director, diversity & community outreach.
Established in 1981, Future One is the largest, and longest-standing, agent-company coalition in the country. It conducts a biennial Agency Universe Study that investigates and analyzes trends affecting the Independent Agency System and the decisions of consumers relative to the purchase of insurance. This study, first conducted in 1983, is widely regarded as the most comprehensive and authoritative investigation available on the independent agency distribution force. Carriers then use this information to develop and refine industry-specific BEST practices.
“We are excited to have Erie Insurance join Future One and look forward to working together on important issues that impact the independent agency system and its company partners,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO. “Future One brings the industry’s stakeholders together, develops policy consensus on both national and state-specific issues and works to implement changes in insurance law. Erie’s participation will offer a valuable and new perspective at the table.”
Future One remains committed to undertaking state and federal legislative/regulatory issues. Recent involvement includes: credit scoring, efforts to repeal the McCarran-Ferguson Act’s antitrust exemption, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), natural disaster legislation, agent licensing reform, systemic risk/resolution authority, certificates of insurance, excess & surplus lines reform, and health care reform.
According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 16th largest automobile insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written and the 18th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. Erie Insurance, rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company, has over 4 million policies in force and operates in 11 states and the District of Columbia. To learn more, visit www.erieinsurance.com.
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 and health—as well as employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.
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