IA Advantage Podcast

Chip sits down in person with friend and "intrapreneur", Bobbie Collies, VP of Distribution at Coterie, about the company's very innovative approach to small commercial insurance in support of independent agents. For more information: Learn more about Coterie Become a Recommended Agent on TrustedChoice.com  

Two friends of the show have made big career-changing moves recently. Chip brings them both together to share the exciting stories behind each of their moves, the what-if moments, and to exchange career advice. For more information: Learn more about ACT Learn more about Vertafore Become a Recommended Agent on TrustedChoice.com

Chip sits down with Philip Charles-Pierre, CEO of Semsee, to talk about the past, present and future SEMCI technology platforms and what it all means for independent agents and IA companies. Plus a side conversation about what's behind the HUB / Bold Penguin acquisition of Insureon! Pull up a chair. For more information: Learn more about Semsee Take the 2022 Commercial Agent Survey Become a Recommended Agent on TrustedChoice.com

In 1896 the insurance industry was changed forever. It's the oldest, largest insurance and most influential insurance industry trade association in the world. Chip talks with the current and future chairs of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America along with the CEO, Bob Rusbuldt, to learn how the Big "I" has supported independent insurance agents and brokers throughout the years. For more information: Become a Big "I" member Get Recommended on TrustedChoice.com

It's a Beercast!  With big news and multiple things to celebrate, Chip sits down over beers with Reid Holzworth, CEO of IVANS, and co-founders of Ask Kodiak, Allan Egbert and Mike Albert to discuss their bold new plans for a better connected insurance industry. Find out what's in store for the IA channel with the merger of these two insurtech heroes and why it means we can all break out the bubbly.

Agents have more technology at their disposal than ever before. So why are so many still resorting to pen and paper? Find out in this episode when Chip speaks with startup insurtech founders, Peter MacDonald and Joe Schnare of Wunderite. For more information: Learn more about Wunderite Become a Recommended Agent on TrustedChoice.com

Why was the Trusted Choice national co-brand for independent agents created in the first place? In part 2 of this podcast mini-series, Chip talks candidly with current and past chairs of Trusted Choice for a little history lesson and an intriguing look ahead at the future of IA branding and marketing in the post-COVID era. Did you miss Part 1? Listen to: Why Be a Trusted Choice Agent? Part 1 For more information: Become a Big "I" member Fee Insurance Group Mason-McBride Hartland Insurance Agency Get Recommended on TrustedChoice.com

This podcast was almost a year in the making.  It's not often that an historic mutual insurer like Central Insurance welcomes a new leader, especially one that isn't yet 40 years old.  On May 13, 2020, Evan Purmort took over the reins of 145-year old company right in the midst of a global pandemic. On top of that, the company was tackling some large-scale initiatives, including a major technology platform overhaul and a creative rebrand. Chip checks in with Evan one year later to hear how it all went and what other new things are in store for this long-standing and widely-respected insurance company. For more information: Learn more about Central Insurance Become a Recommended Agent on TrustedChoice.com

The latest Agent For The Future study reveals that high digital adopters grew 60% faster than low digital adopters. Chip sits down with Tyler Asher, President of Independent Agent Distribution at Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance, to learn more about the findings and how they reveal a clear path to help agents of any size transform and grow. For more information: Report: Rise of the Digital Insurance Agency Learn More about Liberty Mutual and Safeco Agent for the Future Become a Recommended Agent on TrustedChoice.com

In this bonus episode, Chip checks in with digital marketing expert, former employee, and new agency owner, Ryan Hanley. As the world was coming to grips with an unprecedented pandemic last March, Ryan was launching a brand new agency. Crazy? Or crazy like a fox? Learn how he did it, including the secret weapon that helped him succeed. For more information: Learn more about Rogue Risk Become a Recommended Agent on TrustedChoice.com

American Family and Bold Penguin are teaming up on an InsurTech adventure. Chip Bacciocco sits down with two of his friends who are bringing these companies together. For more information: Learn more about American Family Learn more about Bold Penguin Learn more about Main Street America Become a Recommended Agent on TrustedChoice.com

Thousands of independent agents were surprised by this big news last month.   The backstory behind this important merger of two leading IA tech providers is as interesting as the plan for moving forward.   For more information: Press Release: Applied Systems to Acquire EZLynx Learn more about Applied Learn more about EZLynx Become a Recommended Agent on TrustedChoice.com

Did you know that Trusted Choice independent agents are 46% more likely to be recommended by consumers than other independent insurance agents? So what does it mean to be a "Trusted Choice" agent, anyhow? In part 1 of this mini-series, we talk with Kevin Brandt and Kasey Connors of Trusted Choice, and Marc Burdell of TrustedChoice.com to learn what it means to be a Trusted Choice agent, what benefits and resources are available, and how to get started. For more information: Big "I" Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America Website Become a Trusted Choice agent Trusted Choice agent resources TrustedChoice.com Advantage program

There may be bright skies ahead for the independent agent despite the profound pressures they've faced during the COVID crisis. In this IA Advantage Podcast, Kevin Kerridge shares how Hiscox's quote and bind technology is keeping agents indispensable in the new digital era.