Small & Rural Agents Are Getting Wired!
Registration forms for the Small & Rural Agents Conference on October 13-14 at the Birmingham Marriott on Hwy 280 East were mailed this week!  The program will feature top speakers whose presentations alone are three great reasons not to miss this year's conference.  Mary Eisenhart, CPCU, ARM, ARE, CIC, RPLU and CPIW and authorized "Best Practices" presenter promises to deliver a spectacular presentation on "Where the Digital Road Leads" which has been approved for 5 hours of CE Credit.  Secondly, Paul Buse with IIAA will cover the potential money making opportunities for agents in the next millennium by utilizing the financial services offered through InsurBanc.  This is of particular importance because, as you may know, many State Farm agents are already originating auto loans.  With the introduction of InsurBanc, independent agents will also have the ability to offer financial services such as car loans, home mortgages, annuities and credit cards to their clients.  Finally, Randy Schwantz will provide agents with techniques for closing new business and retaining current business through "The Wedge Workshop."  Registration forms are also available on Fax on Demand item #4001 by calling (800)944-AIIA or online at www.aiia.org. Call Laura Barnett for more details at AIIA (205)326-4129.

Young Agents Conference Sailed!
This years's Young Agents Conference in Sandestin was a huge success!  Attendance was great and many fun times were had by all.  Hats off to Marian Washburn and the entire Young Agents Committee for the planning and coordination of this very successful event.  Of special note, Rux Bentley was named Young Agent of the Year, Melanie McGee won the 1 year lease on the BMW Z car and Wescoat Free was named Chairman of the 2000 Young Agents Committee.  Congratulations to you all!

Alabama Agency Receives Award of Excellence
Bituminous Insurance Company, a property-casualty insurer, for 23 years has honored the achievements of a wide range of producers in the areas of premium volume, quality and professionalism.  Among this years winners of the "Circle of Excellence" awards was Turner/Scott, Carper & Aman, Inc. in Montgomery.  Congratulations on this outstanding award!

Alabama Ranks in Top 5 for Uninsured Drivers
According to a study conducted by the Insurance Research Council (IRC) about 14% of all drivers nationwide are uninsured.  Alabama ranks third among all states for having high numbers of uninsured drivers (28%). For a copy of the press release and chart by state, dial (800)282-9183 and select Fax-on-Demand option #074.  For more information about the study, call Elizabeth Sprinkel at (610)644-2212 or e-mail at irc@cpcuiiaa.org or visit IRC's website at www.ircweb.org.

IIAA Convention offers Best Practices, CE & Tech Training
Hone your professional expertise through the amazing array of technology training sessions, CE workshops and Best Practices seminars that will be offered during IIAA's 104th Annual Convention September 27 - October 1 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.  Agents can earn up to 15 hours of CE credit from among the approximately 40 hours of innovative continuing education credit available at the convention, in addition to the variety of Best Practices and technical training seminars. Register on-line www.independentagent.com and receive a five-percent discount on the registration fee.  For more information, call (800221-7917.

EPL Cases Explode in ‘90s
According to Rough Notes magazine, Employment Practices Liability cases have increased by approximately 2000 percent over the past decade with judgments in some cases of nearly $200 million.  Harassment and discrimination includes civil rights violations, sexual harassment, discrimination because of age, wrongful termination, violations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Equal Pay Act and material flowing via e-mail.  Since the courts have generally ruled that companies can be held liable for what supervisors may or may not do, even if they did not know harassment was taking place and could do nothing to stop the act, it is more important than ever for companies to have comprehensive insurance coverage.  EPL coverage is available for member agencies and their clients through AIIA and is underwritten by Employers Reinsurance Corporation (ERC) with limits up to $5 million and low minimum premiums.  For more information contact call AIIA at (205) 326-4129. 

AIIA Joins BATC
AIIA recently joined several other business and trade associations across the state to form the Business Associations' Tax Coalition (BATC).  The primary purpose of the group will be to identify and analyze possible solutions to the franchise tax dilemma and report recommendations to the Governor.  A series of roundtable meetings have been scheduled to gain input from business leaders from across the state.  The schedule is as follows: 
  August 30, 3:30 p.m. - Anniston Chamber Office, 1330 Quintard Avenue 
  August 31, 8:00 a.m. - Gadsden Center for Cultural Arts, 501 Broad Street 
  September 2, 3:30 p.m. - Dothan Ramada Inn, Ross Clark Circle 
  September 13, 4:00 p.m. - Tuscaloosa Four Points Sheraton, 320 Bryant Drive 
  September 14, 7:30 a.m. - Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Conference Ctr, 2027 1st Ave. N.
  September 15, 3:00 p.m. - Mobile Adams Mark Hotel, 64 South Water Street
  September 16, 7:30 a.m. - Montgomery Embassy Suites, 300 Tallapoosa Street
  September 16, 12 noon - Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center

State Farm Challenged Over After-Market Parts
Five-and-a-half million people have just joined a suit against State Farm accusing the company of not providing a choice between "genuine" and "after-market" parts.  State Farm is just one of the many companies which encourages the use of after-market auto parts during repairs.  The courts must decide whether after-market parts restore a vehicle to a pre-crash condition.  The suit could force State Farm to drop its policy of using less expensive parts and could cost the company $2 billion.

Crop Insurance Bill Gets Mixed Review
If the Agricultural Risk Protection Act (HR 2559)(a proposed crop insurance reform bill) is passed, it would allow Associations to provide crop insurance and offer rebates, dividends and discounts and would essentially freeze agents out of the crop business. Though crop insurance agents are pleased by the decision to clarify the state regulation of crop insurance sales activities, they are concerned that agents are put at a disadvantage.  IIAA opposes the reform proposal because of this provision. 

Upcoming Educational Opportunities
CISR-Insuring Personal Residential Property will be offered across the state in early September.  This class is approved for 8 hours of CE credit.  This is the next to last CISR course that will be offered this year - the last being Commercial Property in October, so don't miss these final opportunities.  Sign up today, class space is limited.  Also upcoming is the Property and Casualty pre- licensing school which will be offered in Mobile, Birmingham, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa.  Keep in mind that you can register online for education classes at www.aiia.org.  For additional information, call Lauren Mashburn at AIIA (205)326-4129.

New Y2K Legislation
With an estimated five million small businesses at risk for Year 2000 complications, the new Y2K Act was just signed into law that places limitations on Y2K liability.  The legislation emphasizes the importance of identifying and correcting Y2K related problems you may have and disclose to others any Y2K related problems of which you are aware.  IIAA has prepared An Independent Agent's Guide to the New Federal "Y2K Act" which provides a brief overview of the Act and addresses how an IIAA member should respond to a client-insured who may either experience or be accused of causing a Y2K problem.  For a copy of the guide, dial (800)282-9183 and select option #066.  The guides are also available online at www.independentagent.com in the members-only area.

MetLife / St. Paul Deal Update
In an effort to manage the transition while minimizing any disruptions to St. Paul personal lines agents and policyholders, MetLife advised IIAA that it intends to offer contracts to all St. Paul personal lines agents with active contracts in good standing.  In addition, it also intends to offer compensation comparable to St. Paul's.  MetLife has also made arrangements to enable St. Paul personal lines agents to continue to participate in the Peak Performers, Top Brass and Olympic programs.  MetLife will also make its "Snoopy" marketing program available to the St. Paul personal lines agents along with its Signature One group personal lines programs as soon as the deal closes early in the fourth quarter of this year.  For the info packet, dial (800)282-9183 and select option #058.

Employment Opportunities
Florence agency has an opening for a multi-lines CSR.  Please mail resume to 103 Riveria Dr., Florence, AL 35630.

Albertville agency looking for CSR/Accountant.  Main responsibilities will be to handle agency accounting.  Experience with Applied Systems would be beneficial.  Call Dennis at (256)878-9172 or fax resume to (256)878-9177.  Can also mail resume to Miller-Harris- Fowler Insurance, PO Box 218, Albertville, AL 35950.

Fast growing regional agency seeks experienced agents to manage existing offices.  Immediate openings in Anniston and Montgomery.  Inquiries held in strict confidence.  Send resume to PO Box 2756, Tuscaloosa, AL 35403.
 
 

All Aboard! Last Call for Young Agents Conference
Last call to register for the Annual Young Agents Conference "Don't Miss the Boat" to be held August 19 - 21 at the Sandestin Bayside Resort! This year's conference will feature tactics for selling, presentation, and negotiation skills by Mediator and Author Lee Goodman and IIAA speaker Bill Wilson.  Registration for the event is already high, so don't miss out on this spectacular conference!  If you don't have a registration form, call AIIA or you may register on-line at www.aiia.org. Call Laura Barnett for more details at AIIA (205)326-4129.

Condolences to the Family of L.J. Thomas, Jr.
AIIA and it's members send their deepest condolences to the family of Mr. L.J. Thomas, Jr. of Dothan.  Mr. Thomas passed away on July 20th, 1999 after years of hard work and dedication to the insurance industry.  "L.J. Thomas, Jr. was not only a good friend but, was also a credit to the insurance agency profession.  No one in my 35 years as an agent has displayed higher integrity and reflected more honestly on the insurance agency system" said Morris Slingluff, CPCU of Slingluff United Insurance in Dothan.

Upcoming Educational Opportunities
There are still a few openings left for the August 18-20th Commercial Casualty Institute being held at The Grand Hotel in Pt. Clear, AL.  Call today to sign up and make plans to join us at this wonderful location.  We also have another specialty seminar -Claims from the Dark Side-Answering Difficult Personal Lines Questions- which is approved for six hours of CE credit that will be offered in the following locations throughout the month of August:

   August 10 - Tuscaloosa         August 24 - Birmingham
   August 11 - Dothan               August 31 - Huntsville
   August 17 - Montgomery 

Small & Rural Conference Coming Soon
Registration forms for this years Small & Rural Agents Conference to be held October 13-14 in Birmingham at the NEW Marriott on Hwy. 280 East will be coming to your mailbox later this month.  The seminar has just been approved for 5 hours of CE credit so mark your calendars to attend.

IIAA Convention opens door to "Virtual Village"
IIAA will bring the virtual offerings of the Big "I" web site to life through the "Agents Virtual Village" exhibit at their Annual Convention September 27 - October 1 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas where more than 2,500 insurance professionals are expected to attend.  The Virtual Village will feature IIAA's virtual products and services in one comprehensive, interactive display that gives agents hands-on exposure to the on-line product and service opportunities including AMAP, Virtual University, Website Factory and the members-only Extranet available through the IIAA web site at www.independentagent.com. The Super Saver Discount has been extended to August 16 so take advantage of this opportunity and register today. Register on-line www.independentagent.com and receive a five-percent discount on the registration fee.  For more information, call (800) 221-7917.

Bachus named to Financial Services Reform Committee
Congressman Spencer Bachus (R) was recently named to represent the Banking Committee as a member of the conference committee that will work out the differences between competing financial services reform legislation.  Conferees began work on the issue this week, but most of the controversial heavy hitting issues will be dealt with when Congress returns after the summer recess.

OrionAuto Looking for Alabama Agents
OrionAuto, the nation's 4th largest non-standard automobile writer among independent agents, is looking for Alabama agents to represent their products.  They offer easy to start policies with the lowest down payment in the market, competitive rates throughout the state, easy to stay policies with pay as you go terms and a 60 day reinstatement period, three different commission levels and new business production bonuses. For more information contact Danny Floyd at   (888) 606-4642 ext. 2174 or at dfloyd@orionauto.com.

MasterManager Agency Management Software Now Available
MasterManager is a new agency management software now available to the insurance industry.  This windows based program has, in one package, all the components to totally manage an agency.  In addition to database, accounting and imaging, MasterManager has a first of its kind voice print system that records in the individual insured's file.  For more information, contact Bill Young at (205) 339-5950.

Court Approves Binding Arbitration Provisions
The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that insurers in Alabama can continue to sell policies that contain binding arbitration provisions allowing insurance companies to avoid going to court to settle disputes with policyholders.

Employment Opportunities
Florence agency has an opening for a Multi-Lines CSR.  Salary dependent upon experience.  Mail resume to 103 Riveria Dr., Florence, AL 35630