MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Independent Insurance Agents of Mississippi, working in the public’s best interest,
is to be the unrelenting advocate for independent insurance agents and to provide our members
with a sustainable competitive advantage.
OVERVIEW
The Independent Insurance Agents of Mississippi (IIAM) represents hundreds of agency locations and
thousands of independent insurance agents and employees in local communities throughout Mississippi. These
agents oer all lines of personal and business insurance, including property, casualty, life, health and employee
benet plans from a variety of insurance companies. This diversity enables exibility, customization, competitive
pricing and advocacy for the consumer. IIAM members are Trusted Choice® agents, a national brand uniting
more than 21,000 independent agencies across the United States, and are committed to providing the highest
level of personalized customer service. IIAM is the state association for the Independent Insurance Agents &
Brokers of America (IIABA), the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents.
HISTORY
IIAM was formally organized at a called meeting of agents at the Red Light Club in Vicksburg on June 4,
1899. It therefore pre-dates the establishment of the State Department of Insurance by some three years, the
latter being created by legislative act in 1902. IIAM is also only three years younger than the national association,
Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, which was formed in 1896.
The small group of dedicated agents who met in Vicksburg in 1899 (where attendees traveled by train) voted
to name the new organization The Mississippi Fire Underwriters Association and elected C.H. Campbell of Winona
as the rst president. Over the next few years, reports in various newspapers gave several dierent names for
the association. Among them were Insurance Federation of Mississippi (1916) and Mississippi Local Underwriters
Association (1918). In 1920, members voted to change the name to Mississippi Association of Insurance Agents or
MAIA. The organization kept the MAIA title until 1976, when it was changed to the present name.
Years after the turn of the century, leaders of the organization felt the need for a better funded and structured
association. This was especially true as property and casualty insurance became more complicated, and as coverage
was extended to a number of things in addition to re protection. News reports from as far back as 1901 said agents
advocated a state re inspection bureau to help bring order to policy writing and to protect the public.
When the legislature established both the State Insurance Commission and State Rating Bureau in 1924,
complexities in the industry mounted. On August 1, 1939, the organization took a major step forward by
employing its rst full-time manager and by opening a state oce.
IIAM has distinguished itself, and is recognized nationally, for its accomplishments in state and national
government aairs, public relations, communication and education.
INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENTS OF MISSISSIPPI
124 Riverview Drive • Flowood, MS 39232-8908
Telephone: 601-939-9909
Fax: 601-939-9553 • www.msagent.org
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