Alabama Independent Insurance Agents

What Alabama Independent Insurance Agents does

Alabama Independent Insurance Agents, Inc. (AIIA), operating as Big I Alabama, is a nonprofit state trade association founded in 1896 and headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. It represents independent insurance agencies across Alabama as the state affiliate of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA), with a staff of 11–50 employees. The association's mission is to serve as the unrelenting advocate for independent insurance agents while providing members with education, advocacy, networking, and business solutions.

AIIA monetizes through four primary revenue streams: (1) recurring agency and associate membership dues, (2) education and event registration fees including continuing education webinars ($55 member / $90 non-member for 3-hour CE courses), designation programs (CIC, CISR, CRM), pre-licensing schools in partnership with Troy University, and conventions/conferences, (3) advertising in the Alabama Independent Magazine — the only independent insurance magazine in Alabama, distributed to members, state and federal lawmakers, and the Alabama Department of Insurance — and (4) associate partner access programs (First STEP sponsorships). Core member services include legislative advocacy via Big I PAC (state) and InsurPAC (federal), coalition purchasing benefits (up to 20% DocuSign discount), carrier access through Big I Markets and RLI PUP, and the Excalibur Education Foundation scholarship program ($150,000+ raised; 34 scholarships awarded).

Technically, AIIA does not develop proprietary technology products. Operations are built on a stack of third-party platforms: GrowthZone for membership/CRM and the member portal (members.aiia.org), GoToWebinar and ABEN for live and on-demand webcasts, DocuSign for e-signature, Imperial PFS for payment processing, and the national Big I Markets platform for online quoting and binding, including direct Coalition cyber insurance integration. Member acquisition is community-led, driven by local boards, the Young Agents Committee, referral from carrier partners, and a multi-channel marketing mix including the magazine, email newsletters (AIIA News, Education News), Facebook/Instagram, TrustedChoice.com consumer referrals, and the annual event calendar anchored by the 130th Annual Convention & Trade Show in 2026.

Name

Alabama Independent Insurance Agents

Legal name

Alabama Independent Insurance Agents, Inc.

Website

https://aiia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1896

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Alabama Independent Insurance Agents is a Birmingham-based nonprofit state trade association founded in 1896 that represents independent insurance agencies across Alabama as the state affiliate of IIABA (Big I), delivering advocacy, continuing education, professional designations, networking events, and carrier access to its member agencies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Agency Membership Dues: AIIA generates revenue through annual membership dues paid by independent insurance agencies (Agency Membership) and associate/company members. Membership provides access to education, advocacy, technology tools, carrier access, and other member services.
2. Education and Event Registrations: The association offers continuing education courses, webinars, CIC/CISR/CRM designation programs, pre-licensing schools, and annual conferences. Revenue is generated through course and event registration fees. AIIA webinars are priced at $55 for members and $90 for non-members; legal/ethical self-study DVD costs $50 per person; P&C licensing schools are held in-person at the Birmingham office.
3. Advertising in Alabama Independent Magazine: Alabama Independent Magazine is the only independent insurance magazine in Alabama, distributed to all agency/associate members and employees, and shared with state and federal lawmakers and the Alabama Dept. of Insurance. The magazine sells advertising placements to carriers and industry vendors.
4. Associate Partner Access: Associate partners (insurance carriers, wholesalers, and industry vendors) gain access to AIIA's agency member list. This provides a channel for carrier partners to reach independent agents across Alabama.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Alabama Independent Insurance Agents (AIIA) is a state-level professional trade association that recruits independent insurance agencies in Alabama as members and delivers them education, advocacy, carrier and technology partnerships, and networking. Member benefits include access to the Big I Markets online quoting/binding platform, TrustedChoice.com consumer referrals, DocuSign at a 20% discount, CIC/CISR/CRM professional designation programs, ABEN webinars, the Alabama Independent Magazine, and state/federal legislative advocacy through Big I PAC and InsurPAC.

Product overview

Alabama Independent Insurance Agents (AIIA) is a professional association for independent insurance agents offering a comprehensive portfolio of member services, education programs, and advocacy initiatives. The organization provides professional designation programs (CIC, CISR, CRM), continuing education through webinars and webcasts (ABEN), annual events including conventions, conferences, and fundraising activities, technology resources through ACT, and business solutions partnerships including DocuSign and InsurBanc. The association also publishes the Alabama Independent Magazine, operates PAC programs for political advocacy, and provides marketing support through Trusted Choice programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Big I Alabama: Trade name/branding used for Alabama Independent Insurance Agents

Products and services

• Agency Membership Annual membership program for independent insurance agencies in Alabama. Provides access to advocacy (Big I PAC, InsurPAC), education (CIC, CISR, CRM, ABEN), carrier partnerships (Coalition cyber, RLI PUP), technology tools (Big I Markets, DocuSign at 20% discount), networking events, Alabama Independent Magazine, and the Trusted Choice Marketing Reimbursement Program.
• Associate Membership Annual membership tier for insurance carriers, wholesalers, MGAs, and industry vendors that provides distribution access to AIIA's network of independent insurance agencies in Alabama, including member list access, advertising opportunities, and event sponsorship via the First STEP program.
• CIC Designation Program Professional designation program for insurance practitioners, consisting of five 2-day courses: Personal Lines, Commercial Casualty, Commercial Property, Life and Health, and Agency Management. Offered through RIEA.
• CISR Designation Program Professional designation program consisting of nine one-day courses covering agency operations, personal and commercial insurance exposures. Offered through RIEA.
• CRM Designation Program Professional designation program demonstrating knowledge in managing risks, hazards, and exposures through five comprehensive courses. Offered through RIEA.
• AIIA Live Webinars (3-hour CE) Live 3-hour continuing education webinars approved by the Alabama Department of Insurance, delivered to members and non-members; CE credit filed with the state.
• ABEN Live & Video on Demand Webcasts Webcast-based insurance training offered through ABEN, a consortium of 42 Big I affiliated state associations; includes live webcasts, on-demand CE without tests, and E&O Risk Management premium discount qualified seminars.
• P&C Pre-Licensing School (Birmingham) In-person 5-day pre-licensing course for Property & Casualty insurance licensure held at the AIIA Birmingham office, with textbook and study material included; an online alternative is available via Troy University partnership.
• AIIA Convention & Trade Show Annual convention and trade show featuring trade show, guest speakers, business sessions, opening dinner, and closing banquet for AIIA members and carrier/vendor partners.
• Young Agents Conference (EPIC) Annual multi-day conference for early-career insurance agents (under 40 or fewer than 5 years in the business) offering networking, CE credit, trade show, and awards banquet.
• Legislative Conference Annual legislative conference providing a forum to educate members about political and economic issues facing independent agents in Alabama; free for members and sponsored by First STEP Partners.
• Excalibur Clay Shoot Annual fundraising sporting clay shoot event benefiting the Capps-Calhoun Excalibur Education Foundation Scholarships for students pursuing insurance careers; multiple sponsorship tiers available.
• Pat Owens Big I PAC Golf Classic Annual golf tournament fundraiser for AIIA's state Political Action Committee (Big I PAC), supporting pro-insurance political candidates in Alabama.
• Fall Education Conference & Trade Fair Annual full-day fall conference featuring CE-eligible education sessions, networking, breakfast and lunch, and a trade fair with exhibitors.
• Alabama Independent Magazine The only independent insurance magazine in Alabama, distributed in print and digital form to all agency and associate members and their employees, and shared with state and federal lawmakers, judges, and the Alabama Department of Insurance. Carries paid advertising placements from carriers and vendors.
• Big I Markets Online platform that enables Big I member agencies to quote and bind insurance online and provides direct online chat access to Coalition's licensed agents and cybersecurity experts throughout the sales and underwriting process.
• Big I PAC (State Political Action Committee) State political action committee that supports pro-insurance political candidates in Alabama and engages in state legislative and political processes on behalf of independent insurance agents.
• InsurPAC (Federal PAC) Federal political action committee of the independent insurance agency system, one of the largest in the insurance industry and the largest property-casualty agent PAC; solicits voluntary contributions from agents. AIIA surpassed InsurPAC goals in 2023 and 2024 (EAGLE Status) and is targeting a three-peat in 2025.
• Online Pre-Licensing Program with Troy University Self-paced online pre-licensing courses for Property & Casualty and Life & Health insurance licensure delivered in partnership with Troy University; includes videos, audio-guided presentations, flash cards, quizzes, and Exam4Caster test preparation, approved by the Alabama Department of Insurance.
• Virtual University Online education platform providing more than 18,000 pages of research materials, coverage analyses, webinars, and resources for insurance professionals; accessible to Big I members.
• Legal & Ethical Self Study DVD Self-study continuing education DVD covering legal and ethical responsibilities of insurance agents; priced at $50 per person, approved for 6 hours of CE including 3 hours of Ethics, with exam, grading, certificate, and CE filing included.

Quantifiable outcome

• Electronic verification of automobile liability insurance (OIVS) increased the number of insured drivers in Alabama by 25%
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Through the Big I Markets platform, AIIA member agencies have direct access to Coalition's licensed agents and cybersecurity experts via online chat throughout the sales and underwriting process. Coalition provides cyber insurance products to independent agents and their clients.
• RLI (RLI PUP Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRLI provides the Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP) program to AIIA members. The policy may be written in the name of an individual, both spouses, or two unrelated individuals residing in the same household. The insured's spouse and household members who are relatives or in the insured's care and custody are also covered.
• TrustedChoice.comcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTrustedChoice.com is the consumer-facing brand of the Big I national network, providing a directory and referral service connecting consumers with independent agents. AIIA members receive access to the platform and the Trusted Choice Marketing Reimbursement Program (MRP) for co-branding, website upgrades, and Advantage Subscriber benefits.
• InsurBanccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsurBanc is an independent community bank founded by agents exclusively for agents, organized in 2001 by the Big I. It provides agency financing including perpetuation, acquisition, working capital, producer development, debt refinancing, owner-occupied real estate, and equipment leasing. Cash management programs are also available. Contact: (866) 467-2262, www.insurbanc.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, NMLS# 406399.
• DocuSignminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAIIA has a cobranded DocuSign arrangement providing member agencies with up to 20% savings on DocuSign plans. Benefits include faster policy signing, 100% 'in good order' forms, elimination of printing/faxing/overnight paper, and signing from any device. Access via go.docusign.com/cobranded/4/iiaba/.
• Troy UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIIA partners with Troy University for online pre-licensing courses for Property & Casualty and Life & Health insurance licensure. Self-paced online courses include videos, audio-guided presentations, flash cards, quizzes, and Exam4Caster test preparation. Courses are approved by the Alabama Department of Insurance. Troy University provides the learning management system and course delivery.
• Risk & Insurance Education Alliance (RIEA) / The National AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIIA offers CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor), CISR (Certified Insurance Service Representative), and CRM (Certified Risk Manager) designation programs through RIEA (formerly The National Alliance). CISR-to-CIC Cross Credit Program launched with over 3,200 qualifying CISR participants. RIEA files CE credit with state insurance departments.
• ABEN (Agents & Brokers Education Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABEN is a network of 42 Big I affiliated state associations offering professional insurance training via live webcast and video on demand. Alabama offers ABEN courses including live webcasts and on-demand CE without tests. E&O Risk Management premium discount qualified seminars are also available through ABEN.
• CatalyitcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCatalyit partnered with AIIA to offer the Agency Compensation 360 Survey — a first-of-its-kind multi-state compensation survey for independent insurance agencies. Participating agencies gain exclusive access to an interactive dashboard with salary/commission ranges, benefits benchmarking, PTO/remote work trends, and 2026 staffing forecasts.
• Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) / Big I NationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIIA is the Alabama state affiliate of IIABA (Big I National). This affiliation provides AIIA members with access to national programs including Big I Markets, TrustedChoice.com, InsurBanc, national publications (Independent Agent magazine, Insurance News & Views, The VUPoint, Two for Tuesday), federal government affairs through InsurPAC, and national legislative conferences in Washington D.C.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT): State-level IIABA affiliate in Texas — the largest state insurance market. Operates the same membership, education, and advocacy model as AIIA and represents the most directly comparable large-state peer.
• Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia (IIAG): Neighbor-state IIABA affiliate serving independent agents in Georgia. Closely comparable in membership model, education programs, and advocacy structure — operates a near-identical playbook to AIIA.
• Independent Insurance Agents of Mississippi (IIAM): Mississippi state IIABA affiliate. Operates an essentially identical model to AIIA in a neighboring regional insurance market with similar demographic and regulatory characteristics.
• Independent Insurance Agents of Louisiana (IIAL): Louisiana state IIABA affiliate offering the same membership, advocacy, and education services as AIIA. Comparable in scale and regional insurance market dynamics.
• National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA National): Competing national trade association for independent insurance agents. PIA offers overlapping services (advocacy, education, technology partnerships) and competes with IIABA affiliates like AIIA for member mindshare in many states.

Others

• Insurance Journal: National trade media outlet covering the independent agency channel. Comparable to AIIA's Alabama Independent Magazine in function, but at national scale — represents both a media peer and a competitive content channel.
• National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC): Regulatory body for U.S. insurance. AIIA engages NAIC through advocacy on agent licensing, market conduct, and cyber regulation — a critical counterparty that shapes the operating environment for member agencies.
• National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC): Trade association representing mutual insurance companies. Sits on the carrier side of AIIA's distribution chain, but engages on overlapping legislative and regulatory issues affecting independent agents in Alabama.

Broad incumbents

• Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA / Big I National): National federation of which AIIA is an Alabama state affiliate. Operates the Big I Markets, TrustedChoice.com, InsurBanc, and InsurPAC platforms that AIIA leverages, making it both parent and most direct structural peer at scale.
• Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (CIAB): National trade association focused on commercial insurance brokers and larger agencies. Adjacent rather than direct competitor, but represents the upper-end of the brokerage channel that competes for the same carrier relationships and talent.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/alabamaiia
• Instagraminstagram.com/al_independentinsuranceagents
• Xx.com/aiia_tweets
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alabama-iia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alabama Independent Insurance Agents