November 2010

Westfield Joins Future One

Future One, a collaboration of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big "I") and leading independent agency companies, announced that Westfield Insurance has joined the coalition.

"Westfield is powered by our independent agency partners," says Patricia Schiesswohl, Westfield Insurance Group marketing leader. "Our support for Future One is an investment in the success of our partnership as together we strive to grow business by delivering value to customers."

Established in 1981, Future One is the largest, and longest-standing, agent-company coalition in the country. It conducts a biennial Agency Universe Study that investigates and analyzes trends affecting the Independent Agency System and the decisions of consumers relative to the purchase of insurance. This study, first conducted in 1983, is widely regarded as the most comprehensive and authoritative investigation available on the independent agency distribution force. Carriers then use this information to develop and refine industry-specific BEST practices.

"We are excited to have Westfield Insurance join Future One and look forward to gaining their valuable perspective as we work together on important issues that impact the independent agency system and its company partners," says Robert Rusbuldt, Big "I" president & CEO. "Future One brings industry’s stakeholders together to develop policy consensus on both national and state-specific issues and works to implement changes in insurance law."

Future One remains committed to undertaking state and federal legislative/regulatory issues. Recent involvement includes: credit scoring, efforts to repeal the McCarran-Ferguson Act’s antitrust exemption, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), natural disaster legislation, agent licensing reform, systemic risk/resolution authority, certificates of insurance, excess & surplus lines reform, and health care reform.

Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia
1-800-288-4428 / 804-747-9300
Fax: 804-747-6557
members@iiav.com / www.iiav.com

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