The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) is a national alliance of 300,000 business owners and their employees who offer all types of insurance and financial services products.

Unlike company-employed agents, IIABA agents and brokers represent more than one insurance company, so they can offer clients a wider choice of auto, home, business, life, health, employee benefit and retirement products.

IIABA agents and brokers not only advise clients about insurance, but they also recommend loss-prevention ideas that can cut costs. If a loss occurs, the independent agent or broker stands with the client until the claim is settled.

IIABA was founded in 1896 as the National Local Association of Fire Insurance Agents. With the expansion of property-casualty business and coverages, the organization's name was changed to the National Association of Insurance Agents in 1913. To emphasize its members' ability to work with a variety of insurance companies, the organization became the Independent Insurance Agents of America in 1975. The association's name was changed in 2002 to the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America to reflect the diversity of its membership, which includes both independent insurance agents and brokers.

IIABA is a voluntary federation of state associations and local boards. Its independent insurance agents and brokers are politically astute and are involved both locally and nationally. They monitor and affect insurance agent and broker issues in Washington through IIABA's active, professional staff on Capitol Hill. Their willing support has made IIABA's political action committee—InsurPac—one of the largest federal trade association PACs in the nation.

Trusted ChoiceSM is a national consumer marketing brand created by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) and its insurance company partners exclusively for IIABA members.

Trusted ChoiceSM helps consumers identify independent insurance agents and brokers as the smart way to purchase insurance and financial services.

Extensive consumer research conducted by IIABA found that the three most important attributes influencing consumers in their choice of insurance providers were the value-added services that independent insurance agents and brokers offer to their clients—customization of policies, claims advocacy and choice of insurance companies.

The Trusted ChoiceSM tagline "We Serve You First" conveys the message that Trusted ChoiceSM agents and brokers support their customers first. Consumers are responding to that message.

Through national advertising, public relations, local agency marketing, Internet communications, state association marketing and an innovative Web site—www.TrustedChoice.com—Trusted ChoiceSM is educating consumers and becoming the defining voice for agents and brokers nationwide. All media direct consumers to www.TrustedChoice.com, where they find a cutting-edge Agency Locator and other consumer information.

• Read More about the IIABA Programs
• For more information, visit www.TrustedChoice.com