May 19, 2004

 

Have You Joined AIIA’s Capital Campaign?

The fundraising campaign for the new building is off to a great start, but we need the assistance of ALL members. We still need more than $450,000 to meet our building goal. Every contribution is important, and everyone will be recognized in a place in AIIA history. Even though we’ve met the halfway mark of $500,000, we need your participation. Of our 400 regular agency members, only 39 have given pledges to the building fundraising campaign, that’s less than 10% of our members! Please make your pledge today; we’d like to have 20% participation by the end of the month. This is a very attainable goal if you help. Of our 130 Associate members, only 13, or 10%, have shown their support.  We need the help of our associates just as much! Note to our company members: We still need $10,000 sponsors for staff offices. A plaque will be placed outside of the staff office with your company name! AIIA has a steady stream of prospective members, agency principles and numerous agents, producers and CSRs that visit staff members’ offices frequently.

 

We would love to have 100% participation from our agency and associate members. Remember, any contribution helps! Thanks to the following Capital Campaign Contributors for their recent pledges:

Jack Collier, Slingluff United, Dothan  $1,000

Beau Yarbrough, Junkins-Yarbrough-Corp, Birmingham  $1,000

Sandy Shelton, Rankin-Shelton-Hunter, Decatur  $500

Mark Landers, J. Smith Lanier, Birmingham  $1,000

David and Emily McCarley, Harris Insurance, Birmingham  $1,000

Joe Bennett, Cousins Insurance, Wetumpka  $1,000

David Glass, Calhoun County Insurance, Jacksonville  $250

Cousins Insurance Agency, Wetumpka  $1,000

Young Agent Contributor Rick Moffett, Briggs Insurance Agency, Birmingham  $500

Paul Copper, Independent Insurance Agents, Birmingham  $1,000

Duckwoth-Morris-Acordia, Tuscaloosa  $1,000

Estelle Smith, Alabama Public Auto Insurance Agency, Birmingham  $1,000

Jim Alexander, Penn National Insurance  $1,000

J.R. Prewitt & Associates, Birmingham  $1,000

Young Agent Contributor Larry Burkman, Larry Burkman Insurance  $400

Bob Arnold, Slingluff United, Dothan  $1,000

 

Wondering Why AIIA Needs a New Facility? Simply put, we have outgrown the current location. First, a new location offers the opportunity grow our membership base and our education department. It will allow us to open our doors to our members, providing and assisting with meeting locations to numerous industry groups. Second, AIIA has one of the best educational departments of all 51 Big “I” state associations and has won the top award in our member size category eight times. However, in order to support growth of this program, we must have a location with better facilities. The new building has increased parking, meeting space, kitchen space and restrooms, making our program more appealing to students. Third, AIIA has been helping independent agents for more than 108 years. The new building will be the symbol of strength and our continued success while modernizing our appearance. Not to forget, the new location is extremely convenient to I-65 and within minutes to I-20 and I-459!

 

Convention is Near! Registration and Reservations Still Available

New to this year’s convention will be Progressive’s Wheel of fortune. Hypnotist and motivational speaker Robert Ian will perform his “Incredible Stage Hypnosis Show” after Saturday’s Closing Banquet on Saturday. Your favorite party band - “Meet The Press” will perform Thursday night rather than on Saturday night. Old favorites such as the poolside hospitality suites, the golf and fishing tournaments, the Kids Crab Hunt, Parent’s Night Out and the Ladies program are on the list of activities. Infinity Insurance will offer several free CEU classes. Guest speakers include IIABA President-Elect Thomas Grau, CPCU, Joey Ammons from the Alabama Dept. of Industrial Relations, Cathy Rein, CEO and President of MetLife Auto & Home, will speak about the state of the industry and motivational speaker Robert Ian will present “Identify, Master and Conquer Change.” Register online at www.aiia.org, click Meetings. Don’t want to register online? Need a registration form? Call Kim Kay or Nancy Crowe at (205) 326-4129.

IIABA Offers 33% Discount to the IIABA National Convention in Orlando, Florida  

IIABA is giving a 33% discount to AIIA members who attend both the 108th AIIA Annual Convention and the IIABA National Convention, October 8-12 at Walt Disney World. AIIA members attending the AIIA 108th Convention in June qualify to receive the 33% discount to Orlando. The Walt Disney World Resort facilities are so close to home, it invites you to combine your business and pleasure into one trip – the IIABA National Convention. IIABA is offering a World Class Trade Show, a Best Practices symposium and workshop geared towards CSRs. Don’t miss this event!

 

Southwest Airlines Currently Offers Discount Fare to Orlando – Hurry Offer Ends Tomorrow!

Thinking about going to the IIABA Convention in Orlando this year? Southwest Airlines is currently offering discounted fares through the hot fares program. If you book your tickets before May 20th, midnight, airfares from Birmingham to Orlando are only $69 one-way. The return from Orlando to Birmingham is also $69 one-way. How can you beat a $138 roundtrip ticket to IIABA’s Convention and Walt Disney World! Go to www.southwest.com to make reservations. Remember, this offer good through May 20th! 21-day advanced purchase required and travel must be from June 8 – October 29, 2004. Price does not include taxes and fees.

 

NAIW Education Foundation Golf Tournament Rescheduled to June 17th

The Alabama State Council of Insurance Women has postponed their golf tournament due to lack of participation. The new date is June 17th at 8:00 a.m. at Indian Oaks Golf Course in Anniston. Proceeds benefit the NAIW Education Foundation. Registration is $50 for players and includes golf cart, a meal and door prizes. Register to play by calling Indian Oaks Country Club at (256) 820-4030 or you can make a contribution to the Education Foundation by mailing a check to NAIW Alabama State Council, c/o Sandra Rice-Brown, 235 River Ranch Road, Ragland, AL 35131-4800.

 

UM Named Insured Update

In the April, 2004 issue of AIIA's Education News, we reported that in Nationwide Insurance Company v. Nicholas, the Court of Civil Appeals of Alabama ruled that rejection of uninsured motorists coverage by one "named insured" on a personal auto policy was not effective as a rejection by other "named insureds" under the same policy. A PDF file of this court case is available on AIIA's website at http://www.aiia.org/UMnamedinsuredRuling.pdf . AIIA recommends that all "named insureds" sign uninsured motorists coverage rejection forms when UM coverage is rejected on a personal auto policy. Some insurance companies have recently issued notices to their appointed agents to address this situation. Agents should check with their carriers to find out the exact format of each carrier's UM rejection form.

 

EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

Ø      CIC - Life and Health Institute May 26-28. Class will meet daily from 8-5 p.m. at The Radisson Hotel in Birmingham. Course fee is $325. Approved for 20 hours CE credit. Please contact Nita Blankenship, or go to www.aiia.org for registration information or to register online using a credit card.

 

 EMPLOYMENT / AGENCY OPPORTUNITIES

Ø      Underwriter Needed. Underwriter needed for fast-paced MGA in Florence. NAI seeks an experienced E&S binding underwriter. www.nai1982.com Send resume and salary requirements to P.O. Box 2909, Florence, AL 35630.

Ø      Seeking Licensed C/L Producer. Hoover / Vestavia Hills agency seeks licensed commercial lines producer. Excellent work environment & commissions. Submit confidential resume (205) 979-3919 or email to cull6453@bellsouth.net

Ø      Business Development Coordinator/Trainer. Infinity Insurance seeks Business Development Training Coordinator/ Administrator in Birmingham. Individual will act as a Company Representative to independent auto agency force by planning, coordinating, and executing all territory training activities. Includes locating training facilities, coordination of continuing education requirements, student enrollment and instructor preparation. Minimal overnight travel. Minimum one year of business development experience required. HTML & Excel skills preferred. Competitive salary, excellent benefits, performance incentives and a generous auto/travel allowance. Forward resume, with salary requirements, to: Infinity, P. O. Box 444, Birmingham, AL  35201, Fax: (205) 803-8406, or Jobs@IPACC.Com

Ø      C/L CSR Seeks Position. Licensed CSR with CISR designation seeks position in Birmingham area. Please contact Brenda Hope @ 205-791-2985.

Ø      C/L Lines Marketer Seeks Position.  Experienced commercial lines marketer seeks agency position in the Mobile area performing marketing and/or agency management function. Contact Dick MacDonald at (205) 625-8971.

Ø      Seeking P&C Producer. Florence agency needs P&C producer. Please call (256) 766-2222 for more info.

Ø      PL CSR Seeking Position. Licensed personal lines CSR seeks position in Jefferson / Shelby County. 23 years of experience. Call Lavelle Huff at (205) 680-1799.

Ø      Seeking Receptionist. Birmingham agency seeks receptionist with light computer skills. Please call (205) 969-2131.