Big ‘I’ Members Active at Many Levels

The November general election is just a few weeks away, and the Big “I” is working hard on many levels to ensure that the best stewards of small business are in public office.

The Big “I” is well-known and respected on Capitol Hill. Members of Congress, the administration and other decision-makers in Washington, D.C., count on the association’s experienced Capitol Hill team for information and guidance regarding the independent insurance agency system and the consumers they serve.

In addition to a strong association government affairs team comprised of top-notch bipartisan lobbyists, Big “I” members are incredibly active in national, state and local politics.

Annual Capitol Hill Day: Big “I” members are the backbone of the property-casualty insurance market, and every year they personally deliver that message to their representatives in Congress. At the annual Big “I” Legislative Conference, about 1,000 Big “I” members from all 50 states converge in the nation’s capital and spread out to hundreds of Capitol Hill offices to lobby members of the House and Senate and their staffs. They reiterate to our nation’s decision makers that independent agents are in every state and in every district and that they participate in the legislative process. The annual pilgrimage has proved effective and there are numerous examples of members of Congress having been swayed to support or vote against legislation based on these meetings with their constituents.

Grassroots: Back home, Big “I” agents are active in their communities as civic leaders who often know their elected officials personally and keep them apprised of how important legislative efforts will impact the industry. The association keeps members informed through publications, grassroots action alerts and other communications. Several of the association’s legislative accomplishments are largely due to its grassroots efforts and agent participation in the process.

Elected Office: The results of the November election could add several more members of Congress with independent agency experience and insurance backgrounds to the freshman class of the 113th Congress. The current congressional roll call includes several members with backgrounds as state insurance commissioners, agents or other industry leaders. This campaign season, several agents and insurance professionals with an understanding of the independent agency system are currently running for Congress with the support of the Big “I.”

InsurPac: The Big “I,” through its political action committee InsurPac, is enthusiastically supporting hundreds of candidates for federal office across the country. The candidates who enjoy the association’s backing each election cycle are from all points on the political spectrum—Democrat and Republican alike—but have one thing in common: They support the independent agency system and the Big “I”’s continuing efforts on Capitol Hill. For more information, please see the sidebar.

This upcoming campaign season, it is critically important for all Big “I” members to be engaged in the election process and support candidates who are friends to independent agents. In a few weeks, the political tides in Washington could easily change, and it’s vital that the association’s “all hands on deck” approach be engaged. Whether it’s by participating in the annual Big “I” Capitol Hill day, staying active in grassroots efforts back home or supporting strong candidates and InsurPac, involvement will make the difference in November. I

Margarita Tapia (margarita.tapia@iiaba.net) is Big “I” director of public affairs.