NU Online News Service, March 5, 1:40 p.m. EST

WASHINGTON--Healthcare reform, taxes and insurance regulations topped the list of issues during the first six months of the fiscal year for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, as the association works to raise the profile of independent agents and brokers, the association's chairman said here today.

Addressing the IIABA's Legislative Conference and Convention, association chairman J. David Daniel said that during the first half of the year the IIABA has battled on a number of issues affecting the sales and business of producers.

On the healthcare debate, the IIABA has fought to keep its members in the sales distribution process.

"The healthcare debate has been contentious and very unpredictable," he said, adding that it will difficult to predict the final outcome, but assuring agents the IIABA will be there for its members.

The regulatory battleground needs uniformity and modernization, he noted, but compared to the effectiveness of the federal government over the banking industry, and the success of states over insurance, state regulation has proven to be "more effective in its primary functions."

Mr. Daniel said that with the current economic crisis, now is not the time to "radically alter an insurance system that works," adding that insurance regulation is very different from banking. Regional and state differences require diverse approaches. He said, "looking at its track record, Washington, D.C., is not the epitome of effective regulation."

The association will continue to push reforms, such as agent licensing reciprocity, natural catastrophe reform and other areas of concern, he said.

Having influence in Washington, he noted that the association is regarded as one of the most affective, and that its "twelfth man," the independent agents, is a powerful voice.

With its political action committee, InsurPac, reaching $1 million in contributions this year, the influence of independent agents has been strengthened, he observed.

The association is seeking to help agents with their business of developing a Consumer Agent Portal, Mr. Daniel said, to give agent's a greater presence selling over the Internet and a vehicle to compete against direct writers in the personal lines arena.

While consumers are seeking information online, they still want an agent to help with the final choice, he said. The portal's aim will be to drive traffic to agencies and more details about it will be coming out in the future.

Branding continues to be important, and Mr. Daniels called on agents and companies to support Trusted Choice to help promote the independent agency brand.

"We have a great story to tell about what we do for our customers," he said. "We are their trusted service advisors." He noted that the board of directors is in discussion to find more ways of further promoting the brand.

In conclusion, he said optimistically, "The Big "I" is working hard to insure that independent agents and brokers can and will not just survive, but thrive. So let the second half begin. Let's take the independent agency system to new heights."

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