PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
ONWARD & UPWARD A MESSAGE FROM JASON ERNEST As we enter the latter part of summer and stare at a very uncertain fall (COVID, the election, and who knows what else), simplicity may be the key. As we try to deal with the unknowns, it would be helpful to keep those things in our control simple. I’d like to suggest you take a look at IA&B’s market access program – Independent Market Solutions (IMS). It allows members a quick and easy way to expand their markets, without the pressures that come with direct carrier appointments. Simplicity comes in carriers like Attune and V3. Both are cutting-edge online platforms that allow the agent to quickly quote on their own. With Attune, you get a robust small commercial market; with V3, a comprehensive workers’ compensation product. Both can allow IA&B agents to expand their commercial appetite, which is a key for independent insurance agents moving forward. It’s also simple to place niche risks, like jewelry and hospitality coverage, through IMS. And standard carriers like Travelers, Progressive, and MetLife give you an easy way to expand your agency mix. Through a quick and easy application process, you have access to any or all of these carriers. You get extremely competitive commission rates on the business you write, and there is low to no production requirements – much less stressful than those requirements you have when directly appointed. IA&B built this program at the request of members and will continue to expand it from our members’ feedback. Also important, IMS is a partnership of 14 state associations like IA&B. As this program grows, it will represent a significant book of business. That aggregation of business will benefit all agencies that are writing in this program.
*
*
You can learn more on our website at IABforME.com/IMS. Then, you can sign up at IMSAcess.com. And, as a state-run market access program, you can reach out to us at any time with questions, feedback, and suggestions. IA&B Vice President – Membership Tim Wonder is managing this program, and he can be reached at TimW@IABforME.com or 800-998-9644, ext. 351.
Jason Ernest, Esq. IA&B President & CEO
6
* MetLife & Progressive are only available in PA. AUGUST 2020
