Erie Insurance has joined a collaboration of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big I) and other independent agency companies, citing the benefit of building strong relationships with others in the industry.

The Erie, Pa.-based firm recently joined Future One, the largest agent-company coalition in the U.S. Formed in 1981, the coalition conducts a biennial “Agency Universe Study,” investigating and analyzing trends impacting the independent agency system and the decisions of consumers when purchasing insurance. The study serves as the basis for carriers to develop and refine industry-specific best practices, according to the Big I. The group also explores state and federal legislative and regulatory issues.

Robert Rusbuldt

“Collaborating with Future One supports our efforts to build strategic relationships with our industry partners and proactively engage in business discussions for our customers and communities,” says Ann Scott, Erie Insurance vice president and director of diversity and community outreach, in a statement.

Robert Rusbuldt, Big I president and chief executive officer, said the agents’ organization is “excited” to have Erie in Future One, and looks forward to working with the company on “important issues that impact the independent agency system and its company partner.

“Future One brings the industry’s stakeholders together, develops policy consensus on both national and state-specific issues and works to implement changes in insurance law,” he said in a statement. “Erie’s participation will offer a valuable and new perspective at the table.”

Erie, with more than 4 million policies in force, operates in Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin as well as in Washington, D.C.

According to A.M. Best, it is the 16th largest auto insurer in the U.S. based on direct premiums written and the 18th largest property-casualty insurer based on total lines net premium written.