ALEXANDRIA, VA, April 27, 2020— The Independent Insurance
Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) is pleased to announce that
Foremost® Insurance and Bristol West® Insurance have donated $500,000 to the
Trusted Choice® COVID-19 Relief Fund in response to the economic and
operational challenges the coronavirus crisis has presented to independent
agencies.
The grant will
be dispersed directly to independent agencies via a Big “I” application process
to meet those agencies’ critical needs in the midst of the pandemic.
Independent agencies can apply for assistance
online.
“Foremost
Insurance and Bristol West Insurance stepped up to the plate at a crucial time
for independent insurance agents with a $500,000 contribution to the Trusted
Choice COVID-19 Relief Fund,” says Bob Rusbuldt, Big “I” president &
CEO. “Last week, we had to halt acceptance of new applications to the
fund due to an overwhelming need for assistance, but Foremost and Bristol West
provided essential funding for independent agents during their time of
need. We applaud Foremost and Bristol West for their great collaboration
with the Big ‘I’ and their independent agents.”
The fund was
established earlier this month after a single generous donation from a carrier
partner. Within days, the Big “I” was inundated with more than 2,000 applications from independent agencies in need. The donation by Foremost
and Bristol West, members of Farmers Insurance Group®, is crucial to continuing
efforts to provide support to Big “I” member agencies.
“Other
insurance carriers and industry partners are welcome to provide additional
resources to support this new 501(c)(3) charitable fund,” Rusbuldt says. “As
businesses across the country suffer the impacts of the pandemic and government
mandated closures, independent agencies—many of which are small businesses
themselves—are also experiencing the same challenges their clients are facing.”
“We’re a long standing supporter of Trusted Choice and
the Big ‘I,’ and we’re privileged to help them provide resources to agents so
they can take care of their customers and restore their agencies,” said Bob
Sadler, senior vice president and head of independent agent operations at
Foremost.
Foremost offers award-winning resources to support
independent agents in connecting with their customers digitally during this
unprecedented time. Agents can visit the
SocialMediaSuitcase.com for free
unbranded content to use on their agency's social pages and websites. They also
offer content and tips for agencies and customers at
ForemostAgent.com.
For more information about the crisis, the Big “I” has a
coronavirus
resource page with original articles, tools, webinars, news items and more
to assist its members and their clients.
Founded in 1896, the
Independent Insurance Agents &
Brokers of America (the Big “I”) is the nation’s oldest and largest
national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing
more than 25,000 agency locations united under the Trusted Choice brand.
Trusted Choice independent agents offer consumers all types of
insurance—property, casualty, life, health, employee benefit plans and
retirement products—from a variety of insurance companies.