A presentation made in late 2010 by Robert Hartwig, president of the Insurance Information Institute, included a graph indicating the historic percentage of the personal lines market written through the independent agency. The graph is rather dismal, showing not only a substantial shrinkage of market share, but a potential recent acceleration in lost market share. The market share shrinkage when seen in this chronicled context is alarming.

What is wrong with the personal lines sector of the independent agency system? There are three fundamental and correctable problems associated with the IA system of personal lines. 

First, agents no longer provide customer service, companies do. This has led to the devaluation of the agency. Second, the ability to brand the agency name has disappeared because agency service has disappeared. Third, agents have allowed the Internet to be claimed by the direct-to-consumer companies.

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