About BIIA
Stable. Affordable. Local.Our Mission
Building Industry Insurance Association is a stable company providing comprehensive insurance products at reasonable rates. Each of our insureds, regardless of size, receives personalized attention including loss control and safety training at no additional cost. We do this to ensure that their business plan is not negatively impacted by preventable losses that deteriorate their business’s capital, effectiveness, and efficiency. This is a mere reflection of our commitment to Virginia Domiciled businesses.
Our Story
Building Industry Insurance Association has been providing workers compensation coverage throughout Virginia since 1999. While it was originally designed by and for those in the home building industry, it has since been expanded to service a wide range of business professionals.
In 2004, BIIA developed a general liability product to respond to the needs of the industry. At the time, contractors were finding it increasingly difficult to find affordable coverage among carriers that had renounced writing residential contractors or had dramatically increased their rates.
The commercial auto program was introduced in 2011. Since then, we have extended our products and services to provide businesses with all of their insurance needs in one package.
Our Staff
Marguerite Dunbar
Underwriting Manager
Favorite Saying: “Don’t let your alligator mouth overload your humming bird butt”
Most Proud of: Myself for staying in the insurance industry for 15 years without ending up in a mental hospital
Folks may not know that: I was a licensed Private Investigator with a weapons permit
Nenaya Simmons
Underwriting Specialist
Favorite Saying: “Like…seriously?!”
Most Proud of: My first published novel, Souls Intertwined
Folks may not know that: I was a huge computer geek in high school
Aja Martin
Comptroller
Favorite Saying: “It’s life”
Most Proud of: Losing 20 pounds
Folks may not know that: I am from Mississippi
Darla Panasewicz
Underwriting Specialist
Favorite Saying: “Amen to that one!”
Most Proud of: My daughter Alyssa DeSimone
Folks may not know that: I have 2 Border Collies Mixes that are “My Girls – Carly & Miley,” and I am related to Betsy Ross
Ann Rutter
Underwriting Specialist
Favorite Saying: “You go, girl!”
Most Proud of: The accomplishments of my children
Folks may not know that: I am a distant relative of the Wood Brothers who have a NASCAR Race Team
Asiah Jones
Underwriting Assistant
Hobby: I love watching TV shows
Favorite Saying: “Everything happens for a reason”
Most Proud of: The woman that I’ve become
Folks may not know that: I sing and play piano
Amber Salyers
Underwriting Assistant
Hobby: Camping & Horseback Riding
Favorite Saying: “It Is What It Is!!”
Most Proud of: My Children & Grandchildren
Folks may not know that: I love to drive fast cars!!
Gabrielle Frazier
Part-Time Underwriting Assistant
Hobby: Heavy metal concerts and goat yoga
Favorite Saying: “Gahhbage!”
Most Proud of: Working two jobs to pay for my education while maintain Dean’s List throughout my college career
Folks may not know that: I am a molecular research technician on the Native Bee Project