After
months of negotiations with Westport representatives, AIIA EVP Victor McCarley
has secured a revision of the Westport Insolvency Exclusion. Alabama becomes
the only state in the country to have such an exception. The revision will
allow coverage, by an exception made in the current Insolvency Exclusion, for
Alabama Self-Insured Workers Compensation Funds operating in compliance with
Department of Industrial Relations requirements. “Simply put, Westport insureds
will now have coverage for suits brought against them for placement of coverage
with one of our Self-Insured Workers Compensation Funds, which later becomes
insolvent. Suits of this nature were previously excluded by the Westport Insolvency
Endorsement,” states McCarley. The new endorsement was approved by the Alabama
Insurance Department on June 1st and will be added to all renewals
with an effective date of June 1st or later. Coverage for such a
claim however, would be provided immediately to all Westport policyholders
provided the loss takes place after June 1, 2004 as per the policy
liberalization clause, which was also confirmed with Westport. To see a copy of
the new endorsement, logon to our website at www.aiia.org
and click on Current News.
Exciting news! AIIA broke $600,000 in
pledges for the new building’s Capital Campaign!!! Thanks to the following
contributors who pushed our pledge total to $614,600. CHALLENGE: Can we be at
$650,000 by this coming Thursday, June 10th? With your pledge, we can. Call in
your pledge to AIIA today! 205-326-4129.
John Witherington, Witherington
Insurance, Troy $5,000
John Dark, Dark Insurance Agency,
Alexander City $1,000
Lacy Herrin, Tom Jones Insurance,
Tuscumbia $1,000
David Fitts, Fitts Agency,
Tuscaloosa $2,500
Jim Holt, Tuscaloosa Insurance,
Tuscaloosa $1,000
Bill Sager, Your Insurance Center, Winfield
$1,000
Mike Evans, Your Insurance Center, Haleyville
$1,000
Ricky Sims, Your Insurance Center,
Hamilton $1,000
John Kelley, EMC Insurance, $5,000
Sam Newton, Sam Newton Insurance,
Lexington $1,000
Chris Raymond, Allstate,
Birmingham $1,000
Trey Starke, The Starke Agency,
Montgomery $1,000
Steven Graves, Shelby / Vesta Insurance
Company, Birmingham $5,000
Thanks so much to all Capital Campaign
Contributors! We cannot do it without your help!
Big “I” Markets is now offering
Balboa Life & Casualty Group’s renters insurance program to Big I member
agents in Alabama. Balboa’s renters insurance program offers coverage against
many types of losses, including fires, forced-entry thefts and windstorms.
Benefits and policy features of the program include: personal property coverage
limits from $10,000 to $40,000; personal liability coverage up to $25,000;
guest medical payments for a visitor accidentally injured at the insured’s
residence; additional living expenses for up to 20 percent of the insured’s
personal property coverage; and an automatic payment feature, with monthly or
yearly premiums charged to a credit card. Big “I” members, already signed up
for Big “I” Markets can review criteria, download sales tools and policy specimens,
and submit an online quote request for Balboa’s renters insurance by logging on
to the online system at www.bigimarkets.com.
Not registered yet? Click the link on the website to view the producer agreement.
Renters insurance, one of the
largest untapped lines in today’s P&C market, represents significant
opportunities for independent agents. A Big “I” consumer survey last year found
that nearly two-thirds of individuals and families living in U.S. rental
properties are uninsured, risking loss of personal property and loss from
personal liability. “The addition of Balboa’s renters insurance is significant
as it marks Big ‘I’ Markets’ entry into products our producers write everyday,”
says Paul Buse, president of Big “I” Advantage’s products and services team.
“Many of our producers do not want to write renters insurance in their main
homeowners market. Balboa has extensive experience in this area and is the
ideal company to fill this void.”
Convention Is This Week! Largest Trade Show Ever! –
On-Site Registration Available
We’ve
set a new record! Thanks to all convention registrants, sponsors and exhibitors
for participating in what will be the largest Trade Show in AIIA history! Don’t
forget that AIIA offers events for the entire family. What will hypnotist and
motivational speaker Robert Ian inspire you to do? 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. Need a
registration form? Call Kim Kay (205) 326-4129.
AIIA Young Agents
Conference is July 22-24 at the New Baytowne Village Resort
Come
stay in the new Sandestin Resort property – the Village of Baytowne Wharf. The
Young Agents conference is July 22-24 this year, and will not overlap the back
to school rush of August. Come experience a taste of New Orleans in this
pedestrian setting. Full of shops, eateries and a rich atmosphere, the Village
will be the perfect spot to mix business with pleasure. Speaker Steve Morgan is
back by popular demand. His high energy and topics received great response the
last time he joined us. His topic this year is, “Four Phases of Attitude &
Customer Relations.” We all know attitude plays in huge role in our daily
interaction with customers. Fun events include a dolphin cruise for all ages
and a golf tournament. Registration information is available online at www.aiia.org or call Nancy Crowe or Kim Kay at
(205) 326-4129.
Independent
agents and brokers want better business relationships with carriers. However, how
can carriers know what agents and brokers need if they aren’t told? To educate
carriers on agent concerns, Big “I” members can participate in the second
annual Ease of Doing Business Survey of Independent Insurance Agents and
Brokers. The survey, conducted by consulting firm Deep Customer Connections,
Inc., takes only a few minutes to complete and breaks Ease of Doing Business
into ten dimensions. Respondents first rate the importance of each dimension,
and then rate how well the carriers they work with most frequently perform on
each of those dimensions. Completing the survey will help carriers hear your
voice about the importance of Ease of Doing Business and the priorities that
are most important to you—their customer. After all, easier business dealings
are a direct route to increased productivity and profitability. To access the
survey, please visit http://www.rta2000.com/edb2004survey.
For further information, contact Nort
Salz, Partner, Deep Customer Connections, Inc. at (978) 263-6100 or Nort.Salz@DeepCustomerConnections.com.
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 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 (251) 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 P&C Producers: Agency
needs P&C producers in Alabama to sell top Auto insurance. For appointment
or sponsorship, call (205) 795-2540.
Ø Seeking Agents: Birmingham area agency
looking for agents to solicit surety accounts. Agency will provide office space
and is willing to split commissions 50/50 with the agent on all business they
produce. All inquires confidential. Send all inquiries to PO Box 449,
Trussville, AL 35173.