August 17, 2004

 

AIIA Building for Tomorrow Update

Where mounds of dirt once stood, a flat surface now appears with wooden stakes to indicate where our new building will stand and to outline the parking lot curbs. As we progress on construction, excitement builds. AIIA is on our way to better parking, a larger classroom and additional facilities to house the needs of our members when they visit AIIA headquarters for meetings, classes or Committee Day. We need your help now more than ever as our building project grows into an actual structure with walls and windows. This building will benefit you! For our Associate Members, we still have staff offices in need of sponsors. AIIA will place a plaque of recognition with your company name outside the door of a staff member. Offices such as Director of Education Administration and Director of Meetings & Events both have tons of foot traffic. Sponsoring an office is a sure way to gain exposure! Please make a contribution today if you have not done so already.

 

AIIA Thanks Contributors

Thanks to the following contributors who raised our Building for Tomorrow’s Capital Campaign pledge total to $755,800! Thanks so much, we cannot do it without your help! This could be the week we break $800,000! Will you help us reach our goal? Call in your pledge to AIIA today! 205-326-4129.

Phil Crumley, State Auto Insurance, Greer, SC  $1,000

Glen Parmley, Insurance Coverage, Birmingham  $1,000

Ken Fort, Genesee General, Alpharetta, Ga. $100

 

AIIA NOTICE: Membership Directory Time!

AIIA NOTICE: Time’s Up - Don’t forget to Pay Your Dues!

If you have not paid your dues to AIIA, time is up to include your agency or company in our annual Membership Directory. This reference book is a valuable resource to carriers, markets, agents and industry personnel. Companies and agencies that do not pay their dues will be dropped from AIIA and IIABA and can no longer use the Big “I” logo or any of the great products and services offered by both associations. Please contact Alison Ray King at (205) 326-4129 to pay your dues or if you have any questions concerning dues. Don’t be left out!

 

Update on the National Do Not Call List

As names and numbers are added to the national Do Not Call lists agents need to know how the new law affects business. Agents are allowed to call customers provided an established business relationship exists. The rules state that “calls from political organizations, charities, telephone surveyors, or companies with which you have an existing business relationship” are allowable. For more information, see the “FAQ” at www.donotcall.gov/FAQ/FAQConsumers.aspx .

For those of us who wish to receive fewer telemarketing phone calls at home, you need to sign up for the national “do-not-call” list. Go to www.donotcall.gov to add your numbers. Sign up is free and easy to do, be sure to respond to the email you’ll receive once the process is complete.

 

 

Hurricane Charley to Impact Industry

U.S. insurers on Monday predicted Hurricane Charley could be the most costly U.S. storm since Andrew in 1992. Last Friday, Hurricane Charley killed 17 people and left thousands homeless as it swept over southwest Florida with winds topping 145 mph. Insurers say it is too early to issue precise estimates on losses from Charley, though preliminary reports range from $5 to $15 billion. Allstate Corp., the number 2 home and auto insurer in the U.S., said potential losses from Hurricane Charley could hurt current results. However, the company said it did not expect losses to have a material effect on its financial condition overall. Sunday, State Farm Insurance Companies said it received 19,454 homeowners and 1,552 auto claims related to Charley and expected the total to rise. Reinsurer Munich Re has said insurers overall would likely pay $7-14 billion based on its own research. Insurers are not expecting Florida premiums to skyrocket like they did after Andrew in 1992. Andrew prepared the industry financially for other catastrophes.

 

Upcoming AIIA Important Dates

Ø      August 26th                      CIC / CISR Conferment Ceremony        The Club atop Red Mountain, Birmingham

Ø      September 14th                 Big I PAC Golf Tournament                  Prattville Country Club, Prattville

Ø      September 21st                 Small & Rural Agents Conference         The Radisson, Birmingham

Ø      September 29th                 COMMITTEE DAY                             AIIA Office Birmingham

 

EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

Ø      The annual CIC / CISR Conferment Ceremony will be held August 26th at The Club, atop Red Mountain in Birmingham. Tickets cost $ 27.50. Time is 12-1pm. Letters are being mailed. To reserve tickets, please contact Nita Blankenship, Director of Education Administration at nblankenship@aiia.org or call (205) 326-4129.

Ø      You Just Thought You Were Going To Update In September! Your CIC update traditionally held in September in Birmingham has been moved to August. If you need your update before the end of October, this is your last chance to do so in Birmingham. Space is limited. Call Nita Blankenship at (205) 326-4129 immediately to reserve your space. Online registrations are accepted at www.aiia.org. We will reserve a waiting list for this institute. 

Ø      Send your New Hires to the Best P&C Licensing School! Courses held in Birmingham at AIIA HQ August 18, 20, 23, 25, 27. Sponsored by Infinity Insurance, this course satisfies the Alabama Department of Insurance 40-hour pre-qualification requirement for P&C licensing. Course fee includes textbooks and supplemental study materials. Cost is $225 for members. Register online at www.aiia.org or call Nita Blankenship at (205) 326-4129, ext. 105.

 

EMPLOYMENT / AGENCY OPPORTUNITIES

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

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 Position. Moving to Helena. Licensed, experienced with CISR designation seeks Commercial Lines CSR position in North Shelby County or South Jefferson County. Leaving current employer August 13th. Contact via phone (251) 639-0985, ext. 135, or email tlaforty@aric.cc . Resume available upon request.

Ø      Seeking Personal Lines CSR. Established Birmingham agency seeks honest dependable individual for personal lines customer service position. One or more years of insurance experience plus license preferred. Please send resume with cover letter to ellen.roberts@greenhalghinsurance.com or fax to 205-967-8444.

Ø      Are you the top producer in your insurance field? Need a new challenge? We are searching for 2 talented commercial and/or P&C insurance agents for our Huntsville office. Contact Dianne Barker 888-318-8060 ext. 257 or dbarker@willstaff.net for more information. All inquiries are confidential.

Ø      Seeking Commercial Lines Producer: Full Service P&C Agency located in Auburn seeking Commercial Lines Producer. Call Steve Watson @ 800-704-0503 for more details. 

Ø      Seeking Personal Lines CSR: Established Montgomery agency looking to expand to Tuskegee area. Seeks honest dependable individual for personal lines customer service position. One or more years of insurance experience a plus. All inquires are confidential. Send all inquires to 906 S. Perry St. Ste. 100, Montgomery, AL or fax (334)-356-3638.

Ø      Weaver Insurance Group seeks proven leader w/ excellent sales, marketing, managerial skills to serve as Vice-President/Sales & Operations for agency side. Candidate must have proven talent in creative and entrepreneurial thinking, demonstrated skills in management, confidence in public speaking and experience in making presentations. CIC, CRM or CPCU certification is desired.