The first question is whether independent agents will survive since, without them, it is clear that there will be no need for independent agent associations. There is no doubt that independent agents not only will survive, but are probably in the best position to take advantage of the new opportunities the changing financial services environment will offer. The atrabilious prognosticators who over the years have predicted the demise of the independent agent have failed to realize agents' resiliency and now are in full retreat. The fact is that independent agents represent exactly what modern consumers want. And this is especially true of businesses across the nation.
Time is the most important commodity in today's fast-paced world.
Independent agents help their clients save time. Because they provide access to a variety of companies, they do the shopping for their clients, finding them the best coverage for their needs. And, even more important, agents often act as the risk manager for their clients, taking a burden off the backs of many commercial insureds who don't have the resources to do this for themselves. Increasing numbers of businesses are looking to outsource services they cannot handle internally. And that's what independent agents provide better than any purveyor of financial services.