The overall property-casualty market grew to $473.32 billion in direct written premium in 2005, with independent agents responsible for a good share of that growth, an agent broker group said.

P-c market direct written premium for 2005 increased $8.74 billion over the 2004 figure, according to results from an Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America survey.

During 2005, the independent agency system amassed an additional $4 billion in production, accounting for almost half of the national increase, IIABA said.

"Independent agents continue to hold their own in terms of market share despite unprecedented advertising campaigns from direct writers," said IIABA Chief Executive Officer Robert A. Rusbuldt.

The commercial lines market continued to grow in 2005, showing a 1.5 percent increase to $250.28 billion, with written premium growth of just under $4 billion. Though their commercial lines market share dropped slightly (to 80 percent), independent agents and brokers booked increased premium of $2.48 billion.

Independent agents and brokers and their carriers were again able to increase their personal lines market share slightly in 2005 to 36 percent, adding $1.7 billion in personal lines premium, said IIABA.

Using the strength of huge advertising campaigns, direct writers gained a half point in the personal lines market to come in at 64 percent. While national independent agency companies lost 2.3 percent of that market, regional independent agency carriers showed gains in personal lines, the survey found.

Special Reports /

Independent Agents Retain Market Share, Says IIABA

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