Advocacy in Action

PIA builds communication between agencies and companies

PIA knows that company relations is one of the top issues facing independent agents. Many times, agents feel at the mercy of unilateral company decisions that may not always consider agent needs, while many companies feel they don't fully understand what those needs are.

In response to this concern, PIA's Company Relations Representative actively advocates agents' ideas and concerns to company executives. PIA strives to foster clear and effective communication between companies and their appointed agents.            

PIA asks you what really matters

Every year, PIA sponsors the Insurance Company Satisfaction Survey. This survey gives you, as an independent agent, the chance to influence company decisions. You can rate your carriers completely anonymously in areas ranging from commission and underwriting to claims handling and technology.

PIA shares the results of the survey with member agents, as well as company representatives. And the companies take their results very seriously. Most share their results with their board of directors and senior management, and some are even creating internal campaigns to raise their survey scores and work more effectively with you, their appointed agent.

By participating in the Insurance Company Satisfaction Survey, you can help PIA identify agents' top concerns and share those with the companies you represent.

View the results of the 2009 Insurance Company Satisfaction Survey


A meeting of minds

Another way PIA fosters communication between agent and company is by coordinating on-site carrier visits, where PIA staff, member agents and company senior management gather to discuss top issues facing the insurance industry. Many of these issues are drawn directly from the PIA Insurance Company Satisfaction Survey and regular conversations with member agents. These meetings also offer an opportunity to review the company's survey ratings and discuss how the company and their appointed agents can meet their goals together. PIA is working to help strengthen the business partnership between companies and independent agents.

Click on a carrier below to view the summary of the visit.  

Aug. 1, 2007 Selective  March 27, 2008 MetLife Auto 
Aug. 27, 2007 The Motorists Insurance Group  April 23, 2008 Buckeye State Mutual
Sept. 27, 2007 Frankenmuth Insurance  May 6, 2008 CNA
Sept. 28, 2007 Hastings Mutual  May 28, 2008 Encompass
Nov. 1, 2007 Cincinnati Insurance  July 7, 2008 Celina
Nov. 5, 2007 Central Insurance Companies  Sept. 11, 2008    Ohio Mutual
Nov. 19, 2007 Grange Insurance  Oct. 23, 2008 West Bend/NSI
Jan. 29, 2008 Mennonite Mutual  Nov. 4, 2008  Progressive
Feb. 5, 2008    Pekin  Nov. 11, 2008    Philadelphia Insurance
Feb. 20, 2008  Merchants   Dec. 3, 2008  Western Reserve
March 25, 2008 Utica National  Dec. 11, 2008 State Auto
   

PIA's Internship Program Update:
PIA would like to thank our insurance company partners for their participation in the 2010 PIA Internship: American Commerce, Grange, The Motorists Insurance Group, Ohio Mutual Insurance Group, Selective Insurance Company of America, and Westfield.

PIA's Technology
Task Force Survey:
PIA surveyed the membership about automation and technology early in 2008. Data covers topics such as the level of use of agency management systems, paper vs. electronic files and even the connection between agency automation and agency perpetuation. See how you compare with your fellow agents. Download the survey.