October 12, 2004

AIIA Announces Candidate Endorsements for the November Election

The AIIA Executive Committee upon the unanimous recommendation of the AIIA Legislative Committee has voted to endorse the following candidates in the upcoming November election. Please don’t forget to vote Tues., November 2nd!

For the Court of Civil Appeals:

Tommy Bryan (R), The Committee to Elect Tommy Bryan, P.O. Box 3766, Montgomery, AL 36109

For Supreme Court:

Judge Mike Bolin (R), Judge Mike Bolin for Supreme Court, P.O. Box 660255, Birmingham, AL 35266

Judge Patti Smith (R), Judge Patti Smith for Supreme Court, P.O. Box 81, Pelham, AL 35124

Robert H. Smith (D), Robert H. Smith Campaign, P.O. Box 16669, Mobile, AL 36616

AIIA Building on Schedule

AIIA Thanks Contributors

The foundation on AIIA’s new home has been poured. So has the bottom pad for the parking lot. Last week, the steel beams for the foundation are being placed! We are excited to see this project come to life, and we want our members to share in the experience and be a part of AIIA history.

Thanks to the following contributors who raised our Capital Campaign pledge total to $764,950! Thanks so much, we cannot do it without your help! Will you help us reach our goal? Call in your pledge to AIIA today! 205-326-4129.

Sam Pritchard, Southern Insurance Underwriters, S.I.U., $1,000

Joe Geraci, FCCI $500

Small & Rural Meeting Rescheduled Due to Hurricane Ivan – New Date is October 18th

Reminder, the 2004 Small & Rural Conference and National Security Reception will be held October 18, 2004 due to postponement from the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan. We thank all attendees and exhibitors for their patience and understanding during this stressful situation. For questions or additional information, please contact Nancy Crowe at ncrowe@aiia.org or Kim Kay at kimkay@aiia.org or call (205) 326-4129.

S&P Hands American Superior and ‘R’ Rating

Standard & Poor’s Rating Services assigned its ‘R’ financial strength rating to American Superior Insurance Co. based on the company’s recent announcement that it has agreed to be put under rehabilitation by the Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation of the Florida Department of Financial Services. American Superior, a small homeowners insurer, agreed to enter rehabilitation after concluding it lacked the sufficient reserves and operational resources to handle the deluge of claims from hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne. An insurer rated ‘R’ is under regulatory supervision owning to its financial condition. As of today, the A.M. Best rating for Superior Insurance is an ‘E,’ meaning under regulatory supervision.

Birmingham News Reports State On-the-Job Fatalities Rise

The number of work-related fatalities in Alabama rose 18.6% in 2003, even though the rate of work-place deaths across the nation remained virtually unchanged. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said 121 Alabamians died on the job last year, compared with 102 in 2002. The increase in state workplace deaths is the highest among southern states. Nationally, 5,559 people died in work-related incidents in 2003, up just 0.005% from 2002. Twenty-five states had decreases in work-place deaths, while 24 states saw increases in on-the-job fatalities. One state remained unchanged. According to the agency, transportation accidents accounted for the bulk of Alabama’s fatalities in 2003; fatalities involving truck drivers and workers driving company vehicles or personal cars on the job rose to 62 last year from 36 in 2002.

Damage from Hurricanes Gets Costly

Thanks to Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne, insurance claim payments are expected to exceed $22 billion, far surpassing the claims for hurricane Andrew in 1992, which totaled $15.5 billion. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), only the $32 billion in insured losses from the 9/11 terrorist attacks exceeds the payments from this year's fury.

Already, more than 2 million claims covering 30,000 square miles, which is three times the number following Andrew, have been filed, said Cary Schneider, Programs and Operations senior vice president at III. "While it is too early to tell the impact from this natural disaster; it is definitely going to put pressure on property prices in Florida," Schneider said. He added that insurance companies have pricing models designed to anticipate a single disaster, but a wave of hurricanes occurring within a short span and the severity of the storms is something no one could have predicted. Therefore, "no one knows the future of insurance pricing, but replenishment of the capital base to meet the demand in Florida comes from pricing." Schneider was careful to point out; however, that insurance pricing would not affect states such as New York, and other less susceptible hurricane disaster areas.

Upcoming AIIA Important Dates

Ø October 18th Small & Rural Agents Conference The Radisson, Birmingham

Ø November 18th “I” Day Wynfrey Hotel

EMPLOYMENT / AGENCY OPPORTUNITIES

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 Seeking VP: 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.

Ø AIG Seeks Agency Sales Manager. AIG Agency Auto seeks agency sales manager to establish new accounts, appoint new agents and manage independent agents to increase sales and territory profitability. Requirements include Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, 2 to 5 years of successful business experience in outside sales or account management, P&C experience. Apply online at www.aig.com/careers or fax resume to (770) 753-4623.

Ø If Relocating to Paradise Interests you… Thames Batre Mattei Beville & Ison is looking for the right person for Gulf Shores office. The CSR position requires P&C license with minimum of 2 years of Personal Lines Homeowners experience. For full details contact Phill Brown at 800-514-8132 or phill@tbmbi.com .

Ø SEEKING POSITION: Seeking full time employment with a company or agency that I can use my 5 years of experience with my P&C license. Please contact Crystal at (205) 559-3488 or crystalatpac@hotmail.com .

Ø Seeking PL CSR/ Producer: The Pinckard Agency, Montgomery, seeks experienced Personal Lines CSR / Producer. Please contact Celia Courson at (334) 244-7000.

Ø Seeking PL CSR: Birmingham area agency seeks Personal Lines CSR, must be licensed w/ 3 years experience. Knowledge of Travelers, Cincinnati, Auto Owners or AMS a plus. Good salary and benefits. Contact Sandra Franklin at (205) 956-0563 or send resume to Sandra@bandbins.net.

Ø Agency wanted: Looking to purchase local Birmingham P&C agency with current owner willing to stay and maintain management of agency. Call Kurt (205) 795-2545.

Ø Cobbs, Allen & Hall seeks permanent part-time employee with strong commercial lines background to conduct internal reviews to insure compliance with quality control and data entry procedures. Strong computer skills and knowledge of excel required. Knowledge of Personal Lines, Group Benefits and Applied a plus. Contact Anna Gaylor (205) 874-1251.