Sna National Congress: Unity, Responsibility & Future of Insurance Agents
LAZISE, Italy – The 59th National Congress of the Italian Association of Insurance Agents (SNA) convened today in Lazise, Verona, with a key address from National President Claudio Demozzi outlining the organization’s priorities for the coming three years. The congress, which began February 18th and continues through February 19th, will culminate in the election of the President and Executive Committee.
Demozzi’s address centered on the themes of unity, shared responsibility, and solidarity, framing the congress as a critical juncture for the association. He emphasized the require for agents to collectively address challenges and proactively shape the future of the insurance sector, rather than passively accepting change. “The Congress is a political, syndical, and moral act,” Demozzi stated, according to reports from the event. “It is the moment in which the professional community of Italian Insurance Agents looks in the mirror, takes stock of the difficulties faced and to be faced, decides whether to limit itself to suffering the changes or to govern them with determination, competence and courage.”
A central focus of Demozzi’s remarks was the importance of defending existing rights and resisting any attempts to weaken protections for agents. He specifically called on member groups to refrain from negotiating agreements that would result in reduced benefits or unfavorable terms, particularly concerning commission tables and indemnity provisions established by the National Agents Agreement (ANA). He urged a collaborative discussion with Presidents of the Regional Agent Groups (GAA) to clarify collaborative strategies toward shared objectives.
Demozzi also addressed concerns regarding agents entering into collaboration and referral agreements with direct insurance companies and brokers, as well as the practice of delegating client needs analysis to insurers. He asserted that these practices undermine the core role of the agent as an independent advisor.
The congress will employ an electronic voting system, utilizing the SkyVote platform, to ensure secure and transparent elections for the President, Executive Committee, Supervisory Board, and Ethics Committee. This marks the first time the SNA has used electronic voting, a move intended to streamline the process and maintain the integrity of the ballot.
Demozzi highlighted a recent success for the SNA: securing a favorable outcome in the Southern Italy and Under 36 Decontribution initiative. He cautioned against complacency, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and advocacy. “This is not a Congress of memories, of recognition for battles won or regrets for those lost,” Demozzi said. “Today we are here to prepare for another three years of trench warfare, diplomacy and confrontation, involvement, comparison and denunciation, tables opened and closed if necessary, without hesitation or second thoughts.”
The President’s address also underscored key strategic priorities for the next term, including multi-mandate representation, professional freedom, client data ownership, defense of acquired rights, consulting and tariff freedom, and opposition to the detrimental use of artificial intelligence and digital exclusion. He also emphasized the importance of simplifying bureaucratic processes and protecting individual agents.
Demozzi concluded his address with a call for greater engagement of young agents, outlining plans to integrate them into the association and support their development within the evolving insurance distribution landscape. He appealed for solidarity, stating, “Only united in solidarity can we claim the just freedom. And only with the just freedom in our hands, will we be able to shape a future that is truly ours!”