Magazine

By: Volume 111, No. 1

Roper DeGarmo ran his Kansas City-based agency from China for the past two years, returning home last fall. Over this long duration, his business didn’t suffer at all; in fact, not a single client was even aware he was away the whole time. How did the own

Is it the end of an era for the local insurance agent? A McKinsey consultant and the Big “I” president debate the issue.

Is it your fault? The main tort claim against an agency or agent involves some form of negligence. In order for a claimant to “win” a negligence case against you or your agency, he must prove several elements: duty, breach, causation, legal causation (pro

The idea of expanding the fiduciary standard is gaining momentum. A draft proposal being considered by a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) advisory group calls for the agency to raise investment advice standards for brokers, based on the law that c

According to the 2013 Best Practices Study conducted by the Big “I” and Reagan Consulting, top agency priorities for software and IT investments in the coming year include internet marketing/social media and agency management systems.

The second session of the 113th Congress promises another packed legislative agenda with issues top of mind for the independent agency system.

Three sales gurus track the rapid evolution of the sales process—and what it means for independent agents.

Overcoming generation gaps is among the rewarding results of a rebranding initiative at this family-owned independent agency northeast of Pittsburgh.

Three years ago, at 22, Cameron (Cam) Winterburn became principal of a little independent agency in his native Tennessee when he became the exit strategy for two retiring owners. Today, he is building his agency without an established producer providing a