Takeaways from the Latin American Association of Insurance Agencies 56th Annual Convention
Returning from this year's Latin American Association of Insurance Agencies (LAAIA) 56th Annual Convention that was held recently on July 30- August 1 in Marco Island, FL, the team at Standard Premium says this is one of the most direct ways for us to hear what agents are seeing and needing in real time.
“As a proud sponsor of the convention, the LAAIA convention is important to us because it brings together the independent agents who arrange premium financing for their clients daily,” says CEO William Koppelmann, who was accompanied by members of the sales team including Victor Galliano, Carlos Prado and Robert Mattucci – and their mascot, Stanley the Premium Finance Gorilla. “Florida is our home market, and LAAIA's member agencies represent billions in premiums across the state.”
Koppelmann emphasizes that the Standard Premium model has always depended on service, execution, documentation discipline, technology and an understanding of the pace at which insurance transactions move, noting, “This convention keeps us up to date on recent legislation, issues affecting the industry and gives us a great opportunity to showcase our services.”
What We Heard at the Convention
When walking the floors of the convention the main, recurring theme was based upon Florida's evolving regulatory environment. Tort reform measures passed in 2023 continue to change how property claims and lawsuits move through the system, and the state's Office of Insurance Regulation recently published a Property Insurance Stability Report showing a sharp drop in claims and litigation over the past year.
Throughout the convention, attendees were able to attend educational sessions that give practical guidance for translating regulatory changes into client conversations. Other key themes of the convention were centered around emerging technologies and strategic partnerships that will shape the next phase of the independent agency channel.
Why Standard Premium Was There
LAAIA represents a concentrated and highly active segment of the independent agency community, with deep roots in South Florida and a reach that reflects the broader importance of independent distribution across the insurance industry.
The annual LAAIA convention represents member agencies responsible for billions in premium across Florida, and its Annual Convention remains one of the clearest ways for us to see what independent agents are hearing directly from clients. Those conversations, about what insureds can absorb, where carrier requirements are changing and how businesses are trying to protect working capital while maintaining coverage, are the real-time market signal that shape how Standard Premium supports the agency channel.
“Premium financing sits at the center of many of those conversations, and as property and casualty premiums continue to place pressure on business cash flow, agents are looking for new tools to bring into client discussions,” adds Koppelmann. “Standard Premium's team spent the convention listening to agents, answering questions about financing structures and reinforcing the responsiveness that has defined our approach for more than three decades.”
Looking Ahead
The team left the conference with new strategies that will help Standard Premium in future conversations about premium financing. The convention once again delivered on its reputation as one of the premier gatherings for Florida's independent insurance agency community.
“Conventions like LAAIA's are some of the most valuable meetings because they bring the full insurance industry into one room,” says Koppelmann. “Carriers, wholesalers, MGAs, brokers and finance partners all show up with a shared interest in strengthening the independent agency channel, and the relationships built over three days in Marco Island carry forward into the work agents do with clients all year.”
Local presence, national power remains the principle guiding how Standard Premium shows up, at conventions like LAAIA and in the day-to-day work of helping agents deliver premium financing solutions to the businesses and individuals who depend on them. Standard Premium is grateful to be a part of LAAIA, and thanks their leadership for another well-run convention.
If you attended this year's event and want to talk about how premium financing can support your clients,
Contact us today!
