NU Online News Service, Oct. 8, 1:03 p.m. EDT

The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America recognized two insurance carriers for their best practices performance benchmarks and 11 state insurance associations for excellence in education.

The awards were presented at the Alexandria, Va.-based association's recent meeting in San Francisco.

Central Insurance Companies and The Travelers received the Best Practices Award of Excellence.

The award recognizes companies that have made imaginative, outstanding and unique contributions in advocating Best Practices philosophies that enhance the independent agency system.

Since the Best Practices program was launched in 2001, Travelers has been recognized each year its efforts.

Independent insurance agent associations in Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia were recognized by the IIABA with the Excellence in Insurance Education Awards (EIE) at the recent education convocation in San Francisco.

In a statement, Patty Padon, chairwoman of the IIABA Virtual University curriculum and research committee and benefits consultant for Pat Campbell Insurance in Las Cruces, N.M., said: "The Big 'I' Excellence in Insurance Education awards recognize the tremendous contributions made by our state associations in their efforts to improve education. The continuing education needs of our agents could not be successfully met without the hard work and dedication of the men and women who head education efforts at our state associations."

The EIE award recognizes state associations and staff who have made significant contributions to education for their members and the industry in the key area of class offerings, continuing education, professionalism, designation offerings, industry collaboration, planning goals, marketing, resources and more.

Each entrant is scored based on a state's overall educational offerings in a variety of areas and a short essay detailing their overall education programs.

The 2010 EIE awards were presented as follows:

o Diamond: Florida Association of Insurance Agents.

o Gold: Michigan Association of Insurance Agents; Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New Jersey Inc.; Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York Inc.

o Bronze: Independent Insurance Agents of Maryland Inc.; Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents; Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New Hampshire; Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina; Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of South Carolina; Independent Insurance Agents of Texas; Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia Inc.