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T H U R S D A Y , F E B R U A R Y 2 1 , 2 0 0 8
Industry News
TRUSTED CHOICE®
Western National Insurance Group Joins Trusted Choice®
Trusted Choice® is pleased to announce the addition of Western National Insurance as a company partner in its Trusted Choice® consumer brand movement for independent agency system companies. The Edina, Minn.-based Western National is a century-old property-casualty insurer working with nearly 500 independent insurance agencies and 5,000 producers to serve personal and business insurance needs in nine states including: Iowa, Minnesota, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
“We’re pleased to have Western National, a company distributing solely through independent agents, join Trusted Choice®,” says Dan Riley, executive vice president of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Minnesota. “Growing the Trusted Choice® brand has been a top priority for us and we are glad to have Western National as a partner in this worthy endeavor.”
“Western National has spent the last several years bolstering its financial strength and expanding operations as part of its strategy to serve independent agents and their customers,” said Dave Evans, executive director of Trusted Choice®. “Joining Trusted Choice® affirms their dedication to the independent agency system.”
Trusted Choice® was launched in 2001 by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America and several independent agency companies to highlight the benefits independent agencies and brokerage firms offer consumers --- choice of companies, customization of policies and advocacy support.
“The Trusted Choice® brand is a great fit for Western National, namely in its recognition of our belief that the independent agency system brings the best possible insurance value to our mutual policyholders,” says Stuart Henderson, JD, CPCU, President and CEO of Western National Insurance Group. “On behalf of all the folks at Western National, we’re proud to call ourselves a Trusted Choice® company partner.”
Trusted Choice® is promoted through a combination of national, state-level and local-agency advertising, promotional and marketing activities; insurance company branding; public relations campaigns; and Internet communications. The organization educates consumers about the benefits of using independent agents and brokers for their insurance needs: choice of companies, customized policies and advocacy support. Trusted Choice® is the consumer marketing identity for over 9,800 independent insurance agencies, brokerage firms, their branch locations and 47 leading insurance companies, including Western National.
IIABA NEWS
Kanjorski to Speak at Big “I” Leadership Luncheon
Financial Services Committee Subcommittee Chairman Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.) will speak to Big “I” national leaders on April 1, prior to the 2008 Legislative Conference & Convention.
Attendees at the leadership gathering will include Big “I” Executive Committee and Government Affairs Committee members, agents and brokers from Kanjorski’s home state of Pennsylvania and other agent and broker leaders.
More than 1,200 independent agents and brokers from across the country are expected to participate in the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention, the insurance industry’s premier legislative meeting. This year’s event will take place April 2 - 4 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.
“We’re pleased to have Chairman Kanjorski address our association’s leaders,” says Big “I” President & CEO Robert Rusbuldt. “As chairman of the Capital Markets Subcommittee, he will set the agenda for the insurance issues that Congress considers this year.”
Kanjorski serves as chairman of the Capital Markets Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over most insurance matters, securities and exchanges. As the second most senior democratic member of the Financial Services Committee, Kanjorski has been a leader on economic development issues, including improving the ability of small businesses and start-up technology companies to gain access to capital. He was elected to Congress in 1984, and prior to that, was a successful trial attorney in northeastern Pennsylvania.
“Our association’s leaders are politically active and engaged on the issues that matter to their business,” says Charles Symington, Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for government affairs. “We know that they will appreciate Chairman Kanjorski’s perspective on agent licensing and other insurance regulatory reforms.”
Each year during the legislative conference, Big “I” agents and brokers hold hundreds of meetings with their elected officials on Capitol Hill to share their perspective on how legislation affects their business. Top issues this year include agent licensing reform, insurance regulatory reform, flood insurance and natural disasters.
Highlights of the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention include an in-depth issues briefing session, appearances by numerous high-profile speakers and the industry’s largest and best-attended trade show. This year’s event will also include an election year debate moderated by Big “I” President & CEO Bob Rusbuldt featuring democratic strategist Paul Begala and Tucker Carlson of MSNBC’s “Tucker.”
To register online and make hotel reservations go to www.independentagent.com and select the “Events and Conferences” link.
InVEST
InVEST Announces Revised Informational Brochure
InVEST is pleased to present a newly revised and redesigned brochure, “InVEST: Classroom to Career.” Targeted toward students, educators, agent liaisons and industry professionals, the brochure outlines the mission of the program, its influence in schools and scholarship information. In addition, this informational brochure can be distributed in a variety of ways --- classrooms, meetings, career days and industry events. To download a free print-ready PDF of the brochure, click here. To order free copies, call 800-221-7917 (subject to availability).
InVEST, a 501 (c)3 educational foundation, develops a diverse pool of insurance professionals and informed consumers by educating high school and community college students on careers in insurance, financial services and risk management, all while encouraging them to pursue careers in the industry.
To learn more about InVEST, visit www.investprogram.org or call the national staff at 1-800-221-7917.
YOUNG AGENTS
YAC Scholarship Deadline Fast Approaching --- Apply Now!
The Big “I” National Young Agents Committee is offering each state association two $500 scholarships to assist Young Agents, who have not previously attended a Legislative Conference, in attending the 2008 event. Scholarship funds will be paid to the order of the state association in May 2008. Interested Young Agents should return a completed application form to their state association by March 1 to be considered for a scholarship. It is up to the discretion of the state association to determine the recipients of these scholarships.
The $1,000 Maurice Herndon Scholarship will be presented to one Young Agent who has not attended a Legislative Conference in the past to help defray the costs of attending the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention. The Young Agent recipient will receive his or her scholarship check in May 2008 after the event. To be eligible for the Herndon scholarship, you must be a Young Agent member of the Big “I” who has not previously attended a conference, compose a 250 to 500-word essay describing why you should be considered for the scholarship and submit the essay and completed application form by March 1.
Click here to download both the $500 Scholarship and Herndon Scholarship applications. For more information, contact Katie Cosgrove at 800-221-7917; Katie.Cosgrove@iiaba.net.
IA MAGAZINE
Wanted: Reader Feedback
Do you have an interesting story idea or topic you would like to see featured in Insurance News & Views or Independent Agent magazine? Did you really enjoy a recent article? Do you want a more in-depth look at a particular issue? Please send any ideas or feedback you have to Michelle Payne at michelle.payne@iiaba.net.
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