WASHINGTON, D.C., June 26, 2015 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today released the following statement by Charles Symington, Big “I” senior vice president of external and government affairs:

 

“The Big ‘I’ is disappointed in the Supreme Court's decision to allow disparate impact claims in some circumstances under the Fair Housing Act. The use of disparate impact analysis has the real potential to undermine valid and beneficial underwriting of homeowners insurance throughout the country. Further, and most importantly, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has no regulatory authority over the homeowners' insurance marketplace, which is well-regulated at the state level. The Big ‘I’ supports fair housing practices, but federal and state law already prohibit unfair discriminatory practices and pricing."  
           
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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