Industry News

Insurance agencies faced a myriad of challenges in 2020 but came through armed with adaptive solutions, displaying creative resilience. That’s among the findings of the fifth annual 2021 National Underwriter/PIA Independent Agent Survey.

Although some businesses will emerge on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic looking like a shadow of their former selves — travel and hospitality being paramount among them — this year’s Independent Insurance Agent survey indicates that insurance agencies are weathering the storm. Nearly half of respondents indicated they were able to increase sales over the last year, while 17.8% said their insurance production stayed relatively static in 2020.

Survey results are being presented in a staged release throughout February live at PC 360* In addition, the survey results are featured in an in-depth article in the print edition of the National Underwriter. There will also be an article in an upcoming issue of PIA Connection.

Part 1   2021 Insurance Agent Survey spotlights creative resilience
Part 2   2021 Insurance Agent Survey: Technology for the win
Part 3   2021 Insurance Agent Survey: Hiring problems persist
Part 4   2021 Insurance Agent Survey: Crisis fosters invention

“The evolution of agencies as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic is already underway,” said PIA National CEO Mike Becker. “It has always been said that one defining characteristic of the independent agency distribution system is its resilience. When you compare the results of this year’s NU/PIA Agent Survey with the results of last year’s survey, which was taken shortly before the onset of the pandemic, the findings are encouraging. There is a greater awareness of what needs to be done to ensure success, including but not limited to a more robust embrace of technology now underway.”

*Free registration may be required.