From Your IIABA National Director

Cindi Gresham, CIC

As a Member, You Receive a Plethora of Products and Programs

What do you receive for your membership with the Insurors of Tennessee/Big I TN? In addition to those services offered by our State Association, the Insurors of Tennessee, you also are enrolled as a member of our National Association, the IIABA (Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America) or The Big “ I”.

Did you know that at the Insurors of Tennessee our three basic services are Lobbying, Education, and Member Benefits? Trey Moore is our State Lobbyist. Trey is always looking out for your interest as an Independent Insurance Agent in the legislature and works to keep you informed of our State Government Affairs. Teresa Durham, our Education Specialist, sets up our education classes and files CE but she also will assist you with your insurance questions, policy coverages, exclusions and the various laws affecting our industry. If you need an insurance expert, Teresa is the one to call. Stephen Holmes is our director of our For-Profit Services and runs our E&O program along with the RLI Umbrella and Cyber programs. He can also help you with a Home Business policy with RLI. Whether you are a one man shop or an Alliance Group, Stephen has a program for you. Lobbying, Education, Member Benefits, on the local level.

On the national level, our Big “I” National Association offers a plethora of products and programs to all state association members. Let’s discuss some of the Products that they provide.

Big “I” Markets (BIM) provides insurance markets for those agents needing to place business. You own your expiration, there are no access fees and are under no obligation to submit other accounts. What could be better? Big “I” Flood has developed a relationship with Selective to provide agents with the support they need to meet any flood needs. Flood 2.0 is changing the way we write flood insurance, and you need to be up to date on the new rating and policy changes in the National Flood program.

Eagle Agency incubates personal lines agencies until a member qualifies for a direct appointment with a carrier. You maintain ownership of your business, receive direct access to the carrier’s portal and commissions are graduated based on volume.

Does your agency need help with your Employee Benefits? The Big “I” program provides full service group benefits for member agents. From Group Life, Group Short Term Disability, Dental and Vision and Long Term Disability the Big “I” Staff is ready to help.

InsurBanc is there to help our members with acquisition and perpetuation loans and understand cash flow as it relates to your banking needs. They understand our business. Did you know that the Big “I” has a Retirement Services Division? They can help you maximize owner’s contributions, lower your agency tax burden and help retain key employees. Let them tailor a program to fit your needs.

You also need to check out the Business Resources tab in the Big “I” web site. You can receive preferred pricing on various services including Insure Response,

DocuSign, Caliper, Rough Notes Advantage Plus, UPS, Web Designers,

InsurBanc and The Mines Press.

This is only the beginning. The Big “I” also has a variety of programs from Ask an Expert, Best Practices, Big “I” Hires, E&O Risk Management, Invest, Trusted Choice and Virtual University along with education programs that agents need and require. By accessing The Big “I” programs you help our State Association as well.

To find out more about our State and National programs please go to the web site or reach out to our staff at the Insurors of Tennessee. They will be glad to help. Thank you for your membership and support of our association, both on the state and national levels. u