Alabama Delegation Attends IIAA Legislative Conference
Several members of the AIIA delegation joined over 700 other agents attending the National IIAA Legislative Conference this week in the nation’s capitol.  Members had the opportunity to experience an in-depth legislative issues briefing session, as well as to meet with our U.S. Senators and Representatives to discuss HR-10, the financial services modernization bill.  AIIA would like to thank Elliot Free, Mark Calhoun, Quinton Hanson, George Thompson, Joe Fuller, Jim Murphree, Pat Owens, Michael Vance, Rux Bentley, Wescoat Free, Frank Millsaps, Paul Carter and Geoff Plott for making the trip in an effort to become more aware and involved in the legislative issues that affect our industry.

AIIA Annual Convention
Planning for this year’s annual convention “MISSION POSSIBLE” on June 17-19 at the Sandestin Hilton is well underway.  If you choose to accept this mission, you will have the opportunity to hear former Governor Albert Brewer speak, as well as learn more about Y2K from author Steve Anderson.  In addition, the mission will feature some exciting new activities for spouses and children.  Registration forms were mailed last week and are also on our web site at www.aiia.org if you would like to register on-line.  Start planning to attend now so you won’t miss out on all the fun! 

Marsh McLennan Seeks Bank Thrift Charter
Marsh & McLennan has applied to the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) for a thrift charter that would allow them to offer residential mortgages, home equity and consumer loans, savings and money market accounts, as well as CDs and credit cards.  In a similar case, the OTS recently approved a request by Guardian Life Insurance Co. Of America for a federal charter to operate a trust company.  The Marsh McLennan proposal brings the number of non-banks seeking thrift charters to 47.

BMW Teams With Chubb to Offer Personal Insurance
BMW and Chubb recently agreed to initiate a program that would offer BMW owners a customized personal insurance program allowing them to lower their cost of owning a luxury vehicle.  The new program, expected to begin later this spring, will feature Chubb’s Masterpiece® products offering protection for auto, home, antiques and collectibles, liability and water craft.

Nationwide Appoints Independent Agents
IIAA met with Nationwide on April 5 to discuss the company’s strategy to expand using independent agents.  Nationwide now writes $1.3 billion in premium through 3000 independent agents following the acquisition of TIG’s personal lines book, Allied and CalFarm. Nationwide’s independent agent operations are managed by its Allied Group subsidiary and they are interested in making further company acquisitions, as well as appointing additional independent agents.

Legal Advocacy Contract Reviews Available Online 
IIAA’s Legal Advocacy Group recently completed its review of the Atlanta Casualty Agency Agreement and the Kemper Security Agency Agreement both of which are available online on the Legal Advocacy page of IIAA at www.independentagent.com.  For a copy of the reviews, contact Cathy Spencer at (703) 706-5403 or chwangspencer @iiaa.org.

CNA Offers Home Warranty Through Independent Agents
CNA is breaking new ground by offering the CNA Home Warranty, the first product in the market to offer home warranty coverage to consumers through independent agents either in conjunction with the purchase of a CNA homeowners policy or on a stand-alone basis.  The product provides coverage for the breakdown of mechanical systems and appliances in the home with no coverage limitations or premium adjustments due to square footage or age of the home.  For more information, link to the CNA web site via www.independentagent.com’s “Related Sites/Company Partners” area.

Stand Alone Umbrella Markets Serve Your Needs
Due to recent underwriting changes more insureds can now qualify for the RLI PUP.  The more relaxed underwriting approach redefines youthful drivers as 22 and under, down from the 25-year benchmark and allows them continued eligibility even with one driving “incident” on their record.  In addition to the RLI PUP, the Anderson & Murison personal umbrella can be written for “target” personalities, is also flexible enough to accept less-than-prefect driving records and has limits up to $20 million.  This umbrella is currently available in only 35 states including Alabama.

Best Practices Goes Online
A link to detailed information and ordering instructions for many of IIAA’s Best Practices offerings is now located on the members-only Extranet site of www.independentagent.com.  For Extranet i.d. and password, contact info@iiaa.org.

Upcoming Educational Opportunities
Do you want to maximize your agencies profits?  Sign up for our class being held April 28, 1999 “Managing Profits Through Automation.”  Don’t miss this class being held only in Birmingham.  Sorry, it is not approved for CE credit.  The cost is $90 for non-members and $50 for members.  Call Lauren Mashburn at (205)326-4129 to register.  Also there will be a CISR-Commercial Casualty class offered throughout the state the first week in May.  Hurry, sign up today!  Space is limited.

BIG ‘I’ Goes Live
This week at the IIAA’s 23rd annual National Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., agents gathered to take advantage of legislative briefings by several high-profile speakers.  Of those, Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.)and House Speaker Dennis Hastert’s (R-Ill.) speeches to the agents during the April 16th breakfast are being broadcast live on the front page of the IIAA web site and will be accessible for one month following the event.  The live broadcast is part of the pilot stage in IIAA’s plan to provide real-time conference coverage via internet technology. 

Hartford Launches Marketing Program
The Hartford is now offering “Marketing Your Agency’s Value,” a program to help independent agents boost business.  The program features an integrated package of advertising, direct mail and public relations materials that promote the benefits of purchasing insurance from an independent agent.  Any agency representing The Hartford for personal lines can receive the materials at no cost and can customize the materials with the agency name and logo.  In addition, the company’s co-op marketing program allows many agencies to be eligible for a 25 percent reimbursement.

P&C Agent Needed
Are you a licensed P&C agent with 2+ years experience? New South Agency wants to make your day. Leads are spoon fed to you everyday in a casual dress environment. Base salary plus progressive commissions. Send you resume to: Human Resources, 1900 Crestwood Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35210 or fax to (205) 951-4472.