In this article, we explain why supporting IIABL PAC and InsurPAC is crucial for protecting independent agents, influencing policy, and ensuring a fair insurance marketplace.
As independent insurance agents, we navigate a constantly evolving regulatory and legislative landscape that directly impacts our businesses and clients. At IIABL, we work tirelessly to advocate for policies that strengthen our industry, promote a competitive marketplace, and protect the independent agency system in Louisiana.
A critical part of that advocacy is our political action committees—IIABL PAC at the state level and InsurPAC at the national level. These PACs give independent agents a voice in Baton Rouge and Washington, D.C., ensuring that lawmakers understand the unique challenges we face and support policies that foster a fair and thriving insurance market.
How Government Affairs Advocacy Has Put Money in Your Pocket
Advocating for independent agents isn’t just about regulatory battles—it’s about real financial impact. One of the most significant legislative wins for our industry was the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which included the 20% small business tax deduction (Section 199A). This deduction, which 86% of Big “I” members benefit from, has resulted in substantial tax savings for independent agencies across the country.
Through the efforts of InsurPAC and our government affairs team, legislation has been introduced to make this deduction permanent, preventing a significant tax increase on agents when the provision is set to expire at the end of 2025. If allowed to lapse, individual income tax rates will revert to pre-2017 levels, increasing the top rate from 37% to 39.6% and impacting many agencies.
How much have agents saved? Member surveys show that thanks to tax reform:
34% of independent agents save between $1,000 and $5,000 per year
29% save between $5,000 and $15,000 per year
15% save between $15,000 and $25,000 per year
15% save between $25,000 and $50,000 per year
7% save over $50,000 per year
LOUISIANAINSURANCE
These savings have allowed agencies to reinvest in their businesses, hire more employees, and remain competitive in an evolving marketplace.
Your Support Makes a Difference
The strength of our PACs depends entirely on the contributions of independent agents like you. Every dollar helps us support candidates who understand and value the role of independent agencies in Louisiana and across the country.
Now more than ever, we need your support. The ongoing push for reform to the insurance and legal systems shape policies that could impact our industry for years to come. By contributing to IIABL PAC and InsurPAC, you are making an investment in the future of your business and our industry.
How to Contribute
Donating is simple and impactful. You can support our PACs today by visiting the following links:
Together, we can ensure that independent insurance agents have a strong and influential voice in Louisiana and beyond.
Thank you for your commitment to our industry and your support of IIABL PAC and InsurPAC.
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MAXIMIZE YOUR MEMBERSHIP: EXCLUSIVE IIABL BENEFITS YOU SHOULD BE USING
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ROBERTS
IIABLCOMMUNICATIONS
ANDEVENTS
ADMINSITRATOR
In this article, we highlight two valuable IIABL member benefits Semsee and Exdion —designed to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and help independent agencies grow their business.
IIABL offers so many incredible benefits to our members—too many to list in just one newsletter! Each month, we highlight two key benefits that can make a real difference for your agency. This month, we’re spotlighting Semsee and Exdion, two powerful tools designed to streamline your operations and help you grow your business.
Semsee: A New Era in Commercial Lines Rating
IIABL is proud to announce a partnership with Semsee, a cutting-edge commercial lines rating platform available through Independent Market Solutions (IMS), one of our market access programs. This platform simplifies the quoting process, allowing you to rate, quote, and bind policies quickly and efficiently—all in one place!
Why Louisiana Agents Should Consider Semsee:
Access multiple commercial carriers in one convenient platform
Faster, more efficient quoting and binding process
Expanded market opportunities to grow your agency’s commercial book
Important Notice for Louisiana Agents: Not all agencies in Louisiana are eligible for Semsee. To find out if you qualify, attend our upcoming webinar or reach out for more details. You can also check out the Semsee Hit List to see available programs and appetite in Louisiana.
Learn more about Semsee: Visit Semsee
Check eligibility & appetite guidelines: View the Hit List
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Exdion: A Smarter Way to Check Policies
Policy checking is one of the most time-consuming and tedious tasks for independent agencies but it’s also one of the most critical Every unchecked discrepancy could be an E&O liability waiting to happen That’s where Exdion comes in
Exdion is an AI-powered policy-checking tool that automates the process, analyzing policy documents, flagging discrepancies, and ensuring accuracy in minutes—not hours. It integrates seamlessly with agency management systems, eliminating manual comparisons and reducing E&O exposure.
Why Your Agency Needs Exdion:
Eliminate Costly Errors – Ensures accuracy in every policy
Reduce E&O Exposure – Catch discrepancies before they turn into claims
Save Hours of Manual Work – Free up time for growth and client relationships
Improve Client Satisfaction – Deliver accurate coverage every time
Seamless Integration – Works with your existing agency management system
Exclusive IIABL Member Discount!
As an IIABL member, you get free access to Catalyit, where you can unlock a special discounted rate on Exdion.
AGENCYSUCCESS
How to Get Started:
Ben Albright December 2023
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Log into Catalyit – If you haven’t already, create your free Catalyit account. 1. Explore Exdion – See why it’s a game-changer for policy checking. 2. Start Using It – Follow the steps to integrate Exdion into your workflow.
Watch the Exdion Demo: View Demo Learn More About Exdion: Read More
Unlock More IIABL Member Benefits!
Semsee and Exdion are just two of the many benefits available to IIABL members. Explore even more valuable resources!
View the full benefits list: Member Benefits Packet
Not a Member Yet? Now is the perfect time to join and take advantage of these exclusive tools! Become a member today!
WOMEN IN INSURANCE CONFERENCE 2025: BIGGER,BOLDER,ANDMOREIMPACTFULTHANEVER
In this article, we explore how rising insurance rates have led to record-high policy shopping, setting the stage for increased competition among carriers in 2025 and a potential surge in usage-based insurance adoption.
If you were at last year’s Women in Insurance Conference, you already know how powerful it was. Women from across the insurance industry came together to learn, connect, and grow. The energy was electric, the conversations were real, and the takeaways? Life-changing.
"THE SESSIONS WERE ENLIGHTENING, THE SPEAKERS ENGAGING, AND THE DISCUSSIONS THOUGHT-PROVOKING. I LEFT FEELING MOTIVATED, INSPIRED, AND EQUIPPED WITH NEW INSIGHTS THAT I CAN APPLY BOTH PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY."
– AMBER TOWNSEND, CRC GROUP
This year, we’re taking everything that made last year unforgettable and making it even better. The 2025 Women in Insurance Conference, happening April 3-4 at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center, promises more opportunities to grow, more time to connect, and a speaker lineup that will leave you energized and empowered.
Why 2025 is a Must-Attend Event
Insurance isn’t just about policies and claims—it’s about people. And for women in this industry, it’s about carving out a place at the table, leading with confidence, and lifting each other up along the way. That’s exactly what this conference is all about. Whether you’re an agency owner, an up-and-coming leader, or someone looking to break through to the next level, you’ll leave this event with tangible strategies, powerful connections, and the confidence to take your career further.
Last year’s event sold out quickly, and this year’s event is already shaping up to be just as in-demand. So, if you’re still on the fence, here’s why you can’t afford to miss it.
VALUABLERESOURCES
More Than Just a Conference—An Experience
This isn’t just about sitting in a room taking notes—it’s about stepping into a space filled with women who understand your challenges, share your ambition, and support your drive to keep moving forward. From the Welcome Reception at The 121 on Convention Street, where connections spark in a relaxed, Girls’ Night Out-style setting, to Sunrise Yoga with April Hill from Yoga Studio 90, designed to help you start the day with clarity and confidence, every moment of this event is curated to inspire, empower, and energize you. And because we know networking is key, we’ve built in even more opportunities to expand your circle, meet like-minded professionals, and build relationships that last beyond the conference.
"The networking alone was worth attending. I met incredible women who have already helped me grow professionally and personally."
– Robbin Parsons, Risk Placement Services
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative experience. Last year’s event sold out fast, and with this year’s incredible lineup, we expect the same. Join us at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center on April 3-4, 2025, for two days that will challenge, inspire, and equip you to take your career to the next level. Registration is open NOW—don’t wait! Register Here!
NEW AND IMPROVED: THE 2025 IIAGNO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
On February 7, 2025, the Independent Insurance Agents of Greater New Orleans (IIAGNO) hosted its annual Installation Luncheon at Ralph’s on the Park, marking the official transition of leadership for the new year. During the ceremony, Josh Golding, 2024 IIAGNO President, formally passed the torch to Clark Zelenka, who will serve as the 2025 IIAGNO President. The event brought together members, industry professionals, and guests to celebrate the achievements of the past year and usher in a new chapter of leadership.
The newly installed 2025 IIAGNO Board of Directors is as follows:
President: Clark Zelenka, Eagan Insurance Agency
President-Elect: Daniel DeBlanc, Continental Insurance Services
Under Clark Zelenka’s leadership, IIAGNO looks forward to a year of continued growth, advocacy, and professional development for independent agents in the greater New Orleans area community. With a strong and dedicated board, the association is well-positioned to support its members, foster industry relationships, and advance initiatives that benefit the insurance profession.
We extend our gratitude to Josh Golding for his leadership throughout 2024 and are excited to see the incredible impact this new board will have in the year ahead!
STANDING OUT IN A SEA OF BUYERS
In this article, we discuss the challenges small and mid-sized agencies face in acquisitions and how strategic approaches, like buyer lists, can help them stand out.
There is no question that buyers demand for independent insurance agencies is high, with multiple buyers competing for every agency that’s selling. This makes it really difficult for small or medium sized to stand out and get noticed. Patriotic Insurance made its first acquisition in 2024, by standing out against a handful of other agencies in the running. For hungry buyers, it's no small feat to come up with a way to stand out, and the way Rob stood out to the buyer was not because he was the biggest or the closest in fact it was largely unintentional.
The Challenge:
For small to medium size agencies who are hungry to acquire, it can be a monumental challenge to not just research sellers but also to stand out in their local buyer pool. Other than Cake, one of the few digital platforms that seamlessly connects buyers with sellers, there are no other data-driven platforms where prospective buyers can browse agencies for sale as easily as we can browse homes on Zillow or view cars on Carfax. Today’s acquisition activities seem to be driven by seemingly random actions. You can learn about an acquisition opportunity in a private social media private group, a list that you subscribe to, or even by word-of-mouth or cold calling. Once you find an agency, then your next step should be to find a way to stand out among the possibly dozens of other interested buyers. Why does this matter? Just look at how many immediate responses there are to new social media postings of books for sale. Independent agencies are relationship businesses, and sellers care about what happens to their staff, clients, and the reputation they've built, so you must prove to them that you're the right fit over the multitude of other agencies who are also competing to be the buyer.
The Solution:
Rob identified the agency he wanted to purchase through an approved buyer distribution list managed by his Big I State association, Big I of New York. Agencies that are looking to sell can get on this list by letting their state association know, and the association reaches out to the list of agencies that have indicated that they wish to grow by acquisition to try to match the seller with several potential buyers.
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The state association will reach out to the potential buyers with very general information; location, makeup, revenue, carrier, mix of business. From there, if the seller is interested, the association will review the list and ask the potential buyers to sign NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) to ensure confidentiality before putting them in contact with the seller. The trickiest part of this entire process is the seller reviewing the list and deciding which agencies they’re interested in meeting with. Sellers have limited time and often have to be selective about whom they meet with. In this case, buyer selection was done without any contact between the seller and the potential buyers. The only information available to the seller was the agency’s name, owner, and whatever information was available online. What Rob didn't know at this stage was that the interested buyer visited his website, learned of his background as a veteran, read about his agency's values, and watched a video that showcased his personality and passion for his community. The seller later told Rob that because his website effectively communicated and represented the agency’s identity, they felt like they knew who Rob was and what he stood for without having met him. This was ultimately the key reason why his agency stood out to the buyer during the first stage.
The Results:
Once his agency made it through the first stage, Rob approached the acquisition with a focus on partnership and with a caring mindset. He assured the agency owner that he would take care of the agency’s clients and employees, and that he would make sure to spend time with each team member to get to know them, their families, and what motivates them.
"You want to do business with people you know like and trust. When you give people a way to get to know you, it sets you apart. Make sure your website shows your personality!" - Rob Bowen, Patriotic Insurance
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5 AI OPPORTUNITIES FOR RETAIL INSURANCE AGENCIES IN 2025
2024 was another year of disruption for Property & Casualty insurance.
Artificial Intelligence (AI), talent shortages, Insurtech innovations, evolving policyholder expectations, geopolitical uncertainties, social inflation, hurricanes – 2024 was another year of disruption for the Property & Casualty (P&C) insurance sector. Retail agencies and brokers represent the primary distribution channel for P&C insurance products. Amid increased commoditization, competition, and inefficient traditional operational models, here are 5 opportunities for retail agencies to use AI and achieve success in 2025.
AI Opportunity #1: Tackle Talent Turnover Challenges
The insurance industry continues to grapple with 12-15% turnover rates, with underwriter roles seeing even higher figures, according to a recent talent study conducted by Liberty Mutual. Replacing experienced insurance experts is becoming more difficult and expensive due to intense competition. What’s more, the deficit of knowledgeable practitioners has created an increase of costly mistakes and errors during underwriting, risk assessment, and claims processing.
Retail agencies have a tremendous opportunity to leverage AI and course-correct these talent challenges in 2025. AIdriven underwriting platforms can automate and integrate multiple online data sources, like public records, IoT devices, and satellite imagery. Advanced machine-learning algorithms can provide real-time risk assessment capabilities, enabling agencies to dramatically reduce quote turnaround times while improving accuracy and consistency in risk evaluation.
AI and automation technologies are also transforming claims processing – a critical touchpoint in the policyholder journey. Personal lines auto insurers lose an estimated $30 billion every year due to missing underwriting information or other errors that occur during the claims process. Modern claims systems use digital workflows to automate claims triage and routing, often reducing policy processing time by 40-50% while maintaining accuracy and compliance.
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AI Opportunity #2: Break Up Back-Office Bottlenecks
Not always visible, but always essential, back-office operations like accounting, data management, and compliance are the engine driving every retail insurance agency’s success. In a perfect world, account managers could rely on a strong back-office team to handle policies, process claims, support underwriting, manage finances, and ensure compliance. In reality, many account managers find themselves spend more time in the back office than servicing the book of business. Many retail insurance agencies power up operational productivity gains and reduce operational costs using tried-and-true document processing technologies like Optical Character Recognition (OCR) or Natural Language Processing (NPL).
New AI and automation technologies are a natural fit to further streamline core back-office insurance operations. Automated policy renewal reminders, automated certificate of insurance issuance and automated commission reconciliation are just a few ways to break up back-office bottlenecks. The AI opportunity in 2025 to improve back office operations not only enhances profitability, but also enable agencies to manage greater volumes of business without proportional increases in staffing or resources.
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AI Opportunity #3: Elevate Policyholder Engagement
There was a time when insurance agents were the face of a retail agency’s brand. While the value of a face-to-face conversation will never be replaced, Millennial and Gen-Z policyholders are accustomed to engaging though multiple digital channels. They expect speedy, seamless, hyper-personalized experiences which mirror interactions with other industries. Agencies can elevate policyholder engagement (and maintain operational efficiency) by using AI-powered tools such as customer relationship management (CRM) systems, email marketing, mobile apps, or text messaging to provide information, updates, and services. These three tools are a safe bet when it comes to elevating policyholder engagement throughout the policy life cycle in 2025:
AI chatbots can answer frequently asked questions, provide basic support, and guide policyholders through processes
Social media – 81% of Gen Z consumers and 75% of Millennials use social media to find advice and information about financial topics – including insurance
Customizable portals provide policyholders convenient access to view policy information, manage payments, submit claims, and update personal details
AI Opportunity #4: Develop Data-Driven Competitive Strategies
Leveraging data effectively can create significant competitive advantages – especially when using AI. Integrating data analytics to derive unique policyholder insights creates a competitive edge that is difficult for other agencies to replicate. Real-time data analysis and visualization tools enable more informed decisionmaking and proactive business management. These capabilities allow agencies to identify trends, optimize operations, and capture new opportunities more effectively. Here are three ways to make the most out of this AI opportunity in 2025:
Developing more tailored policies via AI policyholder behavior analysis
Use data-driven strategies to expand risk appetite and enter new niche segments
Identify emerging insurance solutions using realtime data
AI Opportunity #5: Drive Agency Growth
New digital marketing advancements continue to open doors to new markets and provide new pathways to strengthen existing policyholder relationships. The marketing technology landscape expanded nearly 30% in 2024 – as illustrated in ChiefMartec’s annual marketing technology landscape super graphic.
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Today, insurance agencies can choose from nearly 14, 106 marketing technology products to transform how they identify, engage, and convert new prospective policyholders. The AI opportunity to achieve scalable agency growth in 2025 is unprecedented! These three tools are a great starting points:
Gauge a prospect’s readiness to buy through AI-driven digital advertising platforms
Optimize conversion through AI-based predictive lead scoring embedded in CRM systems
Streamline cross-selling efforts via digital proposal generation
Harnessing AI Opportunities in 2025
Retail insurance agencies and brokers have an exciting array of AI opportunities that can improve their bottom line and market position in 2025. From addressing talent turnover and optimizing back-office operations, to elevating policyholder engagement, the retail agencies leaning into digital transformation will capture and retain their fair share of the market. Ready to harness more AI opportunities in 2025? Patra’s new AI technology platform delivers a suite of advanced AI-powered solutions to automate complex insurance processes and enhance accuracy, so retail agency teams to focus on growth. Learn more the latest Patra AI advancements transforming quote comparison processes and unlocking powerful business intelligence from unstructured policy data.
ADVERTISER INDEX
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UPCOMINGEVENTS
IIABL 2024-2025
BOARD OF DIRECTORS & OFFICERS
CHAIRMAN, BRET HUGHES
CHAIRMAN-ELECT, ROSS HENRY
SECRETARY-TREASURER, JOE KING MONTGOMERY
NATIONAL DIRECTOR, JOHNNY BECKMANN, III
PAST CHAIRMAN, ARMOND K. SCHWING
YOUNG AGENT REP, MAGGIE LANDRY
Hughes Insurance Services, Inc - Gonzales
Henry Insurance Service, Inc. - Baton Rouge
Community Financial Insurance Center, LLC - Monroe
Assured Partners - Metairie
Schwing Insurance Agency, Inc. - New Iberia
Perkins-McKenzie Insurance Agency - Baton Rouge
ANN BODKIN-SMITH
MATTHEW DEBLANC
CHRISTY DESOTO
DOMINIQUE DICARLO CROUCH
ROB W. EPPERS
MATT GRAHAM
CHRISTOPHER S. HAIK
STUART HARRIS
BEAU HEAROD
CHARLES H. LEBLANC
CRAIG MARTEL
LYDIA MCMORRIS
A. EUGENE MONTGOMERY, III
HARTWIG "ROBBY" MOSS, IV
SETH OSTENDORFF
ROBERT LOUIS PALMER, JR.
RANDY PERISE
ROBERT STONE
Thomson Smith & Leach Insurance Group - Lafayette
Continental Insurance Services - Marrero
1st Insurance of Marksville - Marksville
Riverlands Insurance Agency - LaPlace
Risk Services of Louisiana - Alexandria
Lincoln Agency - Ruston
Higginbotham Insurance - Lafayette
McClure, Bomar & Harris, LLC - Shreveport
Jeff Davis Insurance - Jennings
Bourg Insurance Agency, Inc. - Donaldsonville
Insurance Unlimited of LA, LLC - Lake Charles
Alliant Insurance Services - Baton Rouge
Community Financial Insurance Center, LLC - Monroe
