IA Magazine

Rollerblades and Parades: Spreading Joy and Withstanding the Pandemic

In a situation where everyone’s health is at risk, Big "I" member and independent agent Owen Thomas knew he had to combat the stress of the coronavirus pandemic with a positive twist.

Posted: Aug 17, 2020

Vertafore Acquired by Roper Technologies in $5.35 Billion Deal

Vertafore, an InsurTech company and leading provider of cloud-based software for the property-casualty market, announces it will be acquired by Roper Technologies, Inc.

Posted: Aug 16, 2020

Big ‘I’ Survey: Pandemic Continues to Impact Members

A Big "I" survey of association member agencies reveals the pandemic continues to have a significant impact on day-to-day operations.

Posted: Aug 16, 2020

Medicare for All Gaining Momentum as 2020 Election Approaches

Federal health care policy, including Medicare for All, continues to be debated in Congress.

Posted: Aug 12, 2020

President Trump Takes Executive Action on COVID-19 Relief

President Trump took executive action on Saturday in an attempt to provide temporary relief to millions of Americans facing financial hardship due to the coronavirus.

Posted: Aug 09, 2020

PPP Deadline Looms as Big ‘I’ Advocates for Agents and Their Clients

The deadline to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program loan is Aug. 8. Congress is continuing to work on another COVID-19 relief package that could extend the deadline, but a deal is far from certain.

Posted: Aug 05, 2020

Fresh Perspective: Meet Young Agent Katie Brewer

"We need to communicate with younger people and let them know that insurance is a really good career option," says Katie Brewer, independent agent. "It's so much broader than how it's portrayed."

Posted: Jul 27, 2020

Fresh Perspective: Meet Young Agent Bryan Graham

"There will always be a place in insurance for insurance agents and brokers, but not necessarily in the same capacity that they’ve been used in the past," says Bryan Graham, independent agent. "Agents are going to have to bring something new to the t...

Posted: Jul 27, 2020

Student of Industry: Picky Fishers and the Hardest Insurance Market

COVID-19 has the potential to drive price increases on lines of business that are impacted by this historic event, but if insurer finances also enter the picture it can be an entirely different story.

Posted: Jul 21, 2020

Is Carrier Right to Deny Coverage for Burst Pipe and Concrete Slab Damage?

A PVC pipe burst and damaged the building's concrete slab. The insurance carrier is excluding coverage for the pipe based on the “wear and tear” exclusion, and excluding coverage for the damaged slab because “foundations below the surface of the grou...

Posted: Jul 16, 2020

Impact of COVID-19 on Quoting Volume

The entire nation has seen a whirlwind of changes over the past four months and the insurance industry is not immune. ITC includes insights into the impact of the coronavirus on personal lines carrier rates over this period.

Posted: Jul 14, 2020

Fresh Perspective: Meet Young Agent Kenny Bakko

When it comes to work-life balance, a flexible environment "drives me to produce as much as I do," says Kenny Bakko, independent agent. "The low stress environment definitely motivates me to work harder and without that I would not be as successful a...

Posted: Jul 13, 2020

Fresh Perspective: Meet Young Agent Monica Adwani

"I know I’m doing something to protect people, even when they don’t know it, such as when they view it as a commodity or an expense," says Monica Adwani, independent agent. "I know it makes a difference in the world. It’s more than a policy."

Posted: Jul 13, 2020

Don’t Miss These Specialty Vehicle Sales Opportunities

Want to improve your average written premium, retention and loss ratio? Learn how focusing on this niche can help!

Posted: Jul 12, 2020

From the Front Lines: Special Events

In the special events industry nothing is easy these days as restrictions weigh heavily on the industry but it is important to follow the guidelines said Mark Di Perno.

Posted: Jul 12, 2020

Prepare Your Agency for Change

Make sure your agency is ready for growth during these uncertain times with these helpful tips.

Posted: Jul 12, 2020

Uncertainty for Special Events as Coronavirus Takes its Toll

The coronavirus has hit the special events industry particularly hard and insurers are paying the price.

Posted: Jul 12, 2020

Big ‘I’ Seeks to Simplify PPP Loan Forgiveness Process

The Big “I” joined a number of organizations in sending a letter to the leadership of the U.S. House and Senate Small Business Committees urging support for “The Paycheck Protection Program Small Business Forgiveness Act.”

Posted: Jul 08, 2020

Commercial P-C Rates Rise as Personal Lines Stabilize

Second quarter 2020 saw rate increases in the composite property-casualty sector as well as most other sectors. Personal lines rate increases remained steady at 3.5%.

Posted: Jul 08, 2020

Allstate to Acquire National General in $4 Billion Deal

When the transaction closes in early 2021, Allstate will become the fifth largest independent agency carrier. The merger promises to provide independent agencies with a broader, more modern suite of products.

Posted: Jul 08, 2020

Facing the 2020 Hurricane Season During COVID-19

With experts forecasting an elevated storm season amid the coronavirus pandemic, families, businesses and communities face additional unique challenges this storm season.

Posted: Jul 07, 2020

Fresh Perspective: Meet Young Agent Tyler Schapiro

"Our utilization of video conferencing has really allowed us to expand our international relationships," says Tyler Schapiro, independent agent. "We have a growing segment of our business emanating from Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and while we...

Posted: Jul 06, 2020

Fresh Perspective: Meet Young Agent Vivian Tran

"A lot of places are now adapting, creating their own apps and understand that a lot of users are more receptive to technology," says Vivian Tran, independent agent. "They want that easy access."

Posted: Jul 06, 2020

Did Wimbledon Ace Special Events Pandemic Coverage?

After the SARS outbreak in 2003, The All England Lawn Tennis Association, which organizes the Wimbledon tennis tournament, purchased pandemic insurance for around $1.9 million every year.

Posted: Jul 05, 2020

Specialty Vehicle Sales Are on the Rise—Are You Taking Advantage?

Social distancing is leading to a surge in RV and boat sales. Here are some tips and tools to offer coverage for your clients’ new specialty vehicles.

Posted: Jul 05, 2020