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2021 Press Releases

Big "I" provides numerous resources to assist consumer and general business writers, editors, and producers with insurance-related or small business-related stories. The Big "I" has knowledgeable staff sources as well as hundreds of local agent spokespeople located in communities across the nation who are available to answer questions from reporters and serve as news sources on insurance-related consumer issues.
Below are just a few of the topics that Big "I" experts have addressed in recent media interviews: Auto Insurance Choosing the Right Insurance College Students/Graduates and Insurance Finding the Right Insurance Agent Holiday Safety Issues Homeowners Insurance Home-Based Business Insurance Insuring Jewelry and Collectibles Life Insurance Pet Insurance Renters Insurance Small Business Insurance Needs Teen Drivers Travel Insurance Umbrella Liability Policies Wedding Insurance	To speak to an Big "I" source or locate an independent agent to interview in your local area, contact IIABAs Media Relations Department at (800) 221-7917 or by email: Media questions: Sue Nester, Vice President Communications Logo Assistance: Midori Oglesby, Senior Graphic Designer

The Hill Newspaper Names Big ‘I’ Leaders Among Top D.C. Lobbyists

WASHINGTON, DC, December 1, 2021— The Hill, a prominent political newspaper, has once again named Bob Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO, and Charles Symington, Big “I” senior vice president of external, industry and government affairs, among the top trade association lobbyists in Washington, D.C. this year.

Trusted Choice® Invites Shoppers to Consider Independent Insurance Agencies on Small Business Saturday

ALEXANDRIA, VA, November 19, 2021— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) and Trusted Choice® are excited to invite shoppers to consider their local Trusted Choice independent agent this Small Business Saturday on Nov. 27.

Big ‘I’ Flood and Selective Mark 20 Years of Partnership

ALEXANDRIA, VA, Nov. 15, 2021— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) celebrates 20 years of partnership between its flood program, Big “I” Flood, and Selective Insurance. For the past two decades, Big 'I' Flood has relied on Selective to serve independent agents and their customers by providing access to knowledgeable experts to navigate the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), as well as superior claims service following a flood. Big 'I' Flood has also worked with Selective to advocate on Capitol Hill concerning NFIP-related issues impacting consumers and independent agents.

Central Insurance Joins Agents Council for Technology

ALEXANDRIA, VA, November 8, 2021— Central Insurance, comprised of Central Mutual Insurance Company and All America Insurance Company, is the newest company partner of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s Agents Council for Technology (ACT).

Big ‘I’ Installs New Leadership

ALEXANDRIA, VA, October 5, 2021— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) installed Kansas’ Bob Fee, president of Fee Insurance Group Inc. in Hutchinson, as 2021-22 Big “I” chairman at the recent Big “I” Fall Leadership Conference in Kansas City, Missouri.

Big ‘I’ Welcomes Congressional Efforts to Avoid NFIP Lapse

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 30, 2021— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) thanks the U.S. Senate for passing a measure to extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through Dec. 3, 2021 as part of government funding legislation.

Big ‘I’ and Reagan Consulting Release 2021 Best Practices Study Update

ALEXANDRIA, VA, September 23, 2021—Despite early concerns in 2020 regarding the coronavirus pandemic, Best Practices agencies adapted quickly to a remote work strategy to serve their customers and posted remarkable results, according to the 2021 update of the Best Practices Study by the Big “I” and Reagan Consulting.

Big ‘I’ Opposes Tax Increases Cleared by Ways and Means Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 15, 2021 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) today voiced opposition to the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee’s passage of legislation that would raise roughly $2 trillion of new revenue through tax increases on businesses and individuals.

TEKRiSQ Joins Agents Council for Technology

ALEXANDRIA, VA, Sept. 2, 2021— TEKRiSQ is the newest company partner of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s Agents Council for Technology (ACT). TEKRiSQ is a cybersecurity company that serves small and midsize businesses and helps independent insurance agents quickly diagnose risk, streamline account marketing and deliver any required risk mitigation for their clients.

LegacyArmour Joins Agents Council for Technology

ALEXANDRIA, VA, August 31, 2021—LegacyArmour is the newest company partner of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s Agents Council for Technology (ACT). LegacyArmour partners with independent insurance agencies to protect client information and provide digital legacy planning facilitation.

Invest™ Appoints Juan Padron as Board Chair

Alexandria, VA, August 12, 2021— Invest™, the insurance industry's premier classroom-to-career education program, has appointed Juan Padron, partner at SafeGuard Insurance Agency in McAllen, Texas, as the new chair of the national Invest board.

Big ‘I’ Applauds Reintroduction of Flood Insurance Bill in House

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 28, 2021 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) today applauded Reps. Kathy Castor (D-Florida) and Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Missouri) for introducing H.R. 4699, the “Continuous Coverage for Flood Insurance Act.” The legislation would allow for private flood insurance to satisfy National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) continuous coverage requirements.

FCAA Donates $10,000 to Invest

Alexandria, VA, June 14, 2021— First Choice Agents Alliance (FCAA), one of the largest insurance networks in the U.S., donated $10,000 to Invest™, a nonprofit organization administered by the Big “I.” Invest educates high school and community college students about insurance and encourages them to pursue careers with independent agents and brokers.

Agents Council for Technology Announces Online Agency Cyber Self-Assessment

ALEXANDRIA, VA, May 25, 2021—The Big “I” Agents Council for Technology has released the Agency Cyber-Readiness Self-Assessment, now available online as a supplement to the Agency Cyber Guide 3.0.

Nicole Riegl from The Institutes Joins Invest Board

Alexandria, VA, May 11, 2021—Invest SM, the insurance industry’s premier classroom-to-career education program, today announced that Nicole Riegl, president of the Agent & Broker Group at The Institutes, has joined the Invest Board of Trustees. Based in Pennsylvania, The Institutes are a leading provider of risk management and insurance knowledge solutions, including professional designations such as the CPCU® program; continuing education courses; and industry conferences, publications, and associations.

First Choice Agents Alliance Chief Operating Officer Diane Wagner Joins Invest Board

Alexandria, VA, April 29, 2021—Invest SM, the insurance industry’s premier classroom-to-career education program, today announced that Diane Wagner, the chief operations officer of First Choice Agents Alliance (FCAA), has joined the Invest Board. Based in North Carolina, FCAA is one of the largest insurance agency networks in the country.

Big ‘I’ Praises House Passage of Financial Services Cannabis Bill

WASHINGTON, DC, April 19, 2021— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) thanks the U.S. House of Representatives for passing H.R. 1996, the “Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act” in a strong bipartisan fashion. The legislation would protect agents and brokers who write insurance coverage for legitimate cannabis-related businesses from criminal prosecution and civil liability.

Trusted Choice® Launches New Website

ALEXANDRIA, VA, April 6, 2021—The Big “I” and Trusted Choice® are excited to announce the launch of Trusted Choice’s redesigned website with an improved user experience and easier access for Big “I” members to free marketing resources and programs.

Agency Revolution Joins Agents Council for Technology

ALEXANDRIA, VA, March 30, 2021—Agency Revolution is the newest company partner of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s Agents Council for Technology (ACT). Agency Revolution provides independent insurance agencies with technology-driven marketing solutions.

Big ‘I’ and Future One Release 2020 Agency Universe Findings

ALEXANDRIA, VA, March 29, 2021—The number of independent insurance agencies has remained stable and business conditions continue to improve, although at a slower rate than 2018, according to the 2020 Agency Universe Study.

Big ‘I’ and Future One Release 2020 Agency Universe Study COVID-19 Impact Findings

ALEXANDRIA, VA, March 29, 2021—One-quarter of independent insurance agencies report COVID-19 had a significant impact on their operations, revenue and commercial lines customer base, according to the 2020 Agency Universe Study COVID-19 Impact Summary.

Big ‘I’ Applauds Congressional Passage of Paycheck Protection Program Extension

WASHINGTON, DC, March 25, 2021— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) commends Congress for passing H.R. 1799, the “Paycheck Protection Program Extension Act,” which would provide small businesses with an additional two months to apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.

Agents Council for Technology Announces Online Agency CX Self-Assessment

ALEXANDRIA, VA, March 18, 2021—The Big “I” Agents Council for Technology has updated its Customer Experience (CX) Journey webpage to debut a free online independent agency CX self-assessment.

Big ‘I’ Praises Reintroduction of Main Street Tax Certainty Act

WASHINGTON, DC, February 26, 2021— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) is grateful for the reintroduction of the “Main Street Tax Certainty Act” in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Jason Smith (R-Missouri) and Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) and in the U.S. Senate by Sen. Steve Daines (R-Montana). The legislation would make permanent a 20% deduction on qualified business income for some owners and shareholders of pass-through businesses.

Big I Advantage® Promotes Amanda Juratovic to Assistant Vice President

ALEXANDRIA, VA, February 18, 2021—The Big “I” is proud to announce that Amanda H. Juratovic has been promoted to assistant vice president of errors & omissions operations at Big I Advantage®. Juratovic will lead the Big “I” Professional Liability program, which offers exclusive, member-only agency E&O coverage with endorsed carrier Swiss Re Corporate Solutions and a host of other providers.

Trusted Choice® Presents Black Hills Insurance Agency with Dan Fulwider Award

ALEXANDRIA, VA, February 4, 2021—Trusted Choice® presented Black Hills Insurance in Rapid City, South Dakota, with the 2020 Dan Fulwider Award for Community Service at the Big “I” virtual Board of Directors meeting on Jan. 29.

Big ‘I’ Presents Bill Harrison of Texas with Woodworth Memorial Award

ALEXANDRIA, VA, February 2, 2021—The Big “I” presented William “Bill” E. Harrison Jr., chairman of the Big “I” Reinsurance Company, with the Woodworth Memorial Award at the Big “I” virtual Board of Directors meeting on Jan. 28.

Big ‘I’ Presents Selective’s Greg Murphy with Jeff Yates Lifetime Achievement Award

ALEXANDRIA, VA, February 1, 2021—The Big “I” presented Greg Murphy, executive chairman of the board of directors for Selective Insurance Group, Inc., with the Jeff Yates Lifetime Achievement Award at the Big “I” virtual Board of Directors meeting on Jan. 29.

SimplePin Joins Agents Council for Technology

ALEXANDRIA, VA, January 14, 2021—SimplePin is the newest company partner of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s Agents Council for Technology (ACT). SimplePin is a cloud-based financial technology provider that enables the insurance industry to eliminate friction from the payments experience, both for staff and customers.

GloveBox Joins Agents Council for Technology

ALEXANDRIA, VA, January 12, 2021—GloveBox is the newest company partner of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s Agents Council for Technology (ACT). Through the GloveBox platform, independent agents can provide clients a seamless, self-service mobile and web platform connecting them to their agency and carriers.

Big “I” Statement on Violence at U.S. Capitol

WASHINGTON, DC, January 7, 2021— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) today released the following statement by Bob Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO.