Unlike company-employed agents, IIABA independent insurance agents and insurance brokers represent more than one insurance company, so they can offer clients a wider choice of auto, home, business, life, and healt coverages as well as retirement and employee-benefit products.

IIABA agents and brokers not only advise clients about insurance, they recommend loss-prevention ideas that can cut costs.  If a loss occurs, the independent insurance
agent or broker stands with the client until the claim is settled.

IIABA was founded in 1896 as the National Local Association of Fire Insurance Agents.  With the expansion of property-casualty business and coverages, the organization’s name was changed to the National Association of Insurance Agents in 1913.  To emphasize its members’ ability to work with a variety of insurance companies, the organization became the Independent Insurance Agents of America in 1975.  The Association’s name was changed in 2002 to the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America to reflect the diversity of its membership, which includes both independent insurance agents and insurance brokers.

IIABA is a voluntary federation of state associations and local boards, with affiliates in every state and the District of Columbia.  Its independent insurance agents and brokers
are politically astute and are involved both locally and nationally.  They monitor and affect consumer, insurance agent and broker, and small business issues in Washington through IIABA’s active, professional staff of Capitol Hill.
http://www.iiaba.net/na/

The Missouri Assocation of Insurance Agents is the oldest and largest association of insurance agents in the State of Missouri.  The association was established in 1899 in
St. Louis.  Approximately 560 independent agencies, operated by 4,000 agents, brokers and their employees, are members of MAIA.  “Independent” insurance agents and brokers offer their clients the products of more than one insurance company.

MAIA is affiliated with two national agent associations:  the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America and the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents.

MAIA policy is set by a board of directors elected by the association.  Policy is implemented by a professional staff in Jefferson City.

MAIA as we know it today is the result of a merger in 1992 o fthe Independent Insurance Agents of Missouri, which was formed in 1899, and the Missouri Assocation of Professional
Insurance Agents, which was incorporated in 1943.  Following the merger, the assocation was named the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Missouri.  The assocation shortened its name to Missouri Assocation of Insurance Agents on January 1st, 1995.

MAIA members range in size from one person to some of the nation’s largest independent agencies.  Sixty-four percent of MAIA members have four or fewer employees, including
owners.  Approximately 34 percent of our members are located in large metropolitan  areas (100,000 or more population), while 54 percent live and work in cities with
populations under 50,000.

The assocation’s goal is to educate and inform the state’s professional independent insurance agents, promote high standards of conduct among its members, promote
greated public understanding of the insurance business, and represent the interests of its members and their clients in the Missouri Legislature.  MAIA is also an active advocate
of independent agents and their customers before regulatory and judicial bodies.

Education is a primary focus of MAIA resources, with 70 days of classes scheduled during the year.  Other education and information resources include two newsletters and
the Missouri Agent magazine.

The assocation also makes available to its members various programs and services through its subsidiary, Agents Marketing Corporation.  AMC offers insurance programs
and premium financing that assocation memebers can market to their customers, as well as group insurance, professional liability, and other programs used by agents and brokers. http://www.iiaba.net/MO/

Promoting insurance education among members.

Encouraging greater public understanding of the business of insurance and the insurance agency system.

Communication with and explaining to federal, state, and local governing bodies  matters of direct interest to members. http://www.stlia.org/index.htm

More than 130,000 participants are attending their 2,500+ programs, conducted in all 50 states and throughout the Caribbean.

With a legacy that began in 1969, The National Alliance is recognized across the nation as the best source for continuing education credits, designation opportunities, and concrete knowledge for insurance and risk management professionals of every experience level. http://www.scic.com/

The Society’s more than 28,000 members hold the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation, which requires passing rigorous undergratuate - graduate-level examinations, meeting experience requirements, and agreeing to be bound by a strict code of professional ethics.

Founded in 1944, the CPCU Society’s mission is to “meet the career development needs of a diverse membership of professionals who have earned the CPCU designation,
so that they may serve others in a competent and ethical manner.”   http://www.cpcusociety.org/