J.D. Power: Indepedent property and casualty agents say they don’t get support
A significant number of independent property and casualty (P&C) insurance agents aren’t getting the support they need from their carriers, J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Independent Agent Satisfaction Study says.
It notes that independent agents are responsible for 61% of all P&C policies written.
Fifty-six percent of personal lines agents and 57% of commercial lines agents say their carriers are meeting their foundational needs. Another 25% of personal lines agents and 22% of commercial lines agents perceive that insurers do not value them as partners.
The study was developed in conjunction with the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA). It evaluates distribution, general business outlook, management strategy, and overall satisfaction with personal lines and commercial lines insurers.
“Independent insurance agents are working on the front lines of an extraordinarily challenging market environment right now, where rates are still at or near historic highs and large numbers of insureds are shopping around for new policies,” said Craig Martin, executive director, global insurance intelligence at J.D. Power, in a news release. “To do their jobs well and continue to effectively match their clients with the right carrier, agents need to understand the carrier’s risk appetite and priorities to align the right customer with the right policy. Far too frequently, independent agents aren’t getting the critical information they need to be efficient and effective, which wastes time and resources of both agents and carriers.”
The study also found that personal lines agents who feel undervalued are four times more likely to write less business with that insurer than they did in the last year. Commercial lines agents are seven times more likely to write less business with carriers they feel undervalued by.
Erie Insurance ranks highest among insurers for personal lines for a second consecutive year, with a score of 754, followed by Auto-Owners Insurance (749) and Cincinnati Insurance (717).
Other personal lines insurers that rank above the segment average of 664 are The Hanover, The Hartford, Mercury, and Liberty Mutual.
Insurers that ranked below the segment average are Progressive, Travelers, Chubb, Safeco/Peerless, Nationwide, National General, Foremost, Homesite, and Kemper.
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