The Big "I" and ACORD are launching a new member-only benefit.  Beginning January 1, 2020, Big "I" member agencies with annual P&C gross revenue of less than $50 million will receive a free license to use ACORD forms.  The result is that your agency will not have to pay the End User License fee to ACORD, and agents should experience no change in your management system workflow, or use of ACORD forms beginning January 1 - but your agency will need to complete an initial membership validation check.
    ACORD is directing IIAN member agencies to the  ACORD Forms License website to follow a very short process to claim your complimentary license.  You then return to the management system workflow, acknowledge that you have obtained the license, and return to accessing the needed ACORD forms.  This process will be required annually.

   IIABA is working with ACORD  to make sure that the membership authentication process goes smoothly, and will perform a deep review of the End User License as soon as it becomes available.  Currently, there is some question as to whether agencies will be able to access previously completed forms under their old vendor agreements, after January 1.   Agencies are advised to review the EUL agreement carefully before signing.

   If your agency needs to access a form not maintained by your management system vendor, you will need to subscribe to ACORD Advantage Plus, or to the ACORD Agent &Broker Redistribution Program.    Learn more.     ACORD Forms FAQ page  .

On December 17, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would reauthorize the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and repeal the Affordable Care Act's "Cadillac tax," all as part of government funding legislation.
     This bipartisan agreement between House and Senate leaders would fund the government until September 30, 2020. It would also reauthorize several important programs including TRIA and the NFIP. TRIA was scheduled to expire at the end of 2020 and will be extended for seven additional years in this package. The NFIP was scheduled to expire in a matter of days on December 20. This legislation would extend the program through September 30, 2020. Additionally, this package included a repeal of the Affordable Care Act's "Cadillac tax," which would have imposed a 40% tax on health benefits that exceed an established annual cost.   

   "Without repeal, this harmful tax would hit many of our small business members and their clients starting in 2022 and over time would affect more and more individuals because the tax threshold is tied to a slow measure of inflation," said IIABA CEO Bob Rusbuldt. "This snowball effect would do irreparable damage to the employee benefits marketplace."

     "TRIA is vitally important to maintaining the strength of the commercial property-casualty insurance market and would provide much-needed stability to the U.S. economy," commented IIABA Sr. VP of Government Affairs Charles Symington.  "The Big 'I' also appreciates the extension of the NFIP . . and the certainty this legislation provides through September of next year.  We also call on Congress to continue their efforts on a multi-year reauthorization to modernize the program."

On December 6, Big "I" members helped KFRX raise $68,000 for the Make-A-Wish organization at Scheels in Lincoln, and announced that IIAN and Trusted Choice will be sponsoring three childrens' wishes this year! Keep an eye out for more information about our kids and their wishes!!