The number of visits to the Trusted Choice Web site has morethan doubled compared to 2004, and the number of pages viewed hastripled so far this year, the independent agents' consumer brandinitiative board chairman said.

Through Dec. 21, the Web site, www.TrustedChoice.com,experienced more than 2.1 million visits and more than 51 millionhits for the entire site. In all of 2004, there were more than 1million visits and 15.21 million hits.

The average daily hits on the site have more than tripled so farin 2005 compared to all of 2004.

"This growth in Web traffic clearly shows that Trusted Choice ismaking inroads in building consumer awareness of the brand and, byextension, the agencies that are participating in the brandprogram," said Ronald A. Smith, president of Smith, Sawyer &Smith Inc., a Rochester, Ind.-based Trusted Choice agency, in astatement.

"It also is a great indicator that consumers are becoming moreknowledgeable about the Trusted Choice brand and individualagencies," said Mr. Smith, who is also chairman of the brandprogram's board of directors.

"Trusted Choice is getting its message out--reaching consumerswho are now using online Trusted Choice resources to learn aboutinsurance coverage issues and to find a trusted insurance advisor,"said Trusted Choice Executive Director Jeffrey A. Myers. "In 2006,we will be investing more resources and more effort into expandingthe consumer outreach aspect of the brand campaign, thereby furtherbuilding consumer brand awareness and recognition."

The Web site hosts an agency locator through which consumers canfind the agency that is right for them based on location, coveragesoffered, insurance companies represented and other searchparameters. In addition, consumers can access important informationand frequently asked questions about life, health, auto, home,small business and other types of insurance.

Trusted Choice is the national consumer brand launched in 2001by the Alexandria, Va.-based Independent Insurance Agents &Brokers of America.