Still Time To Get In On The  2001 AIIA Legislative Conference!
The 2001 AIIA Legislative Conference being held on February 13-14 at the Embassy Suites in Montgomery will surely  be another big success with a host of guest speakers including Governor Don Siegelman, Lt. Gov. Steve Windom, former AL House member and AIIA member Steve Flowers, AL Rep. Greg Wren, Senator Lowell Barron, Senator George Clay, AL Treasurer Lucy Baxley and Reyn Norman with the AL Dept of Insurance.  With this big name lineup, you should definitely not miss this one!  On Tuesday, we will start off with a legislative briefing featuring the above speakers.  After the briefing, agents and company reps will head off for Capitol Hill to meet with their Senators and Representatives and discuss issues important to our industry.  It is imperative that we take this opportunity to show our legislators that independent insurance agents are a prominent force in the state.  The best way to get that across is in numbers!  The bigger the group we have, the more of an impression we’ll make.  This is an important time for Alabama agents.  We cannot stress enough the importance of passing the model licencing bill and addressing the issue of privacy.  If our state doesn’t pass this bill, there will no longer be an Alabama Insurance Department as we know it, but a federal bureaucracy on the banks of the Potomac making insurance decisions for Alabama.  This trip to Capitol Hill will be a great time for us as a group to stress to our legislators the importance of passing this bill and others!
Tuesday evening, we’ll kick off our Legislative Reception at the Hank Williams Museum.  We will be the first major group to visit this brand new facility located on Commerce Street directly across from the Civic Center.  We encourage all of you to take advantage of this opportunity to network with your legislators in a more relaxed atmosphere. 
On Wednesday, we’ll start off the day right with a Legislative Breakfast with guest speaker Lucy Baxley, Treasurer for the State of Alabama.  We’ll also be presenting the Annual Lawmaker of the Year Award during this morning session. 
There is still time to register for this outstanding event!  For the first time, we are offering a price break for more than one registrant from each office, so be sure and bring others from your office that are interested in legislative issues and how they effect our industry.  You may complete the form below and fax it to (205) 326-3086 or register online at www.aiia.org .  Call Nancy Crowe at AIIA (205) 326-4129 for more information. 
If you still need hotel reservations, call the Embassy Suites at (334) 269-5055.  Mention you are with AIIA to see if there are any discounted rooms still available.  In order to keep your costs at a minimum, keep in mind that the suites are large enough to easily be shared by two.  We’ll see you there!

NAME:_____________________________ DESIGNATIONS:_____________AGENCY/CO:________________________ ADDRESS:_________________________________________C/S/Z:__________________1ST TIME ATTENDEE?_____ PHONE:______________________ FAX:______________________ E-MAIL:__________________________________
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT:_____________SENATOR:____________________________REP:___________________________________
REGISTRATION FEE                                                   I WILL ATTEND: 
Members (1st Registrant)  $55.00                                ___Tues. Legislative Reception
Additional Member Registrant $35.00                        ___Wed. Legislative Breakfast
Non-Member   $70.00
Visa/Mastercard/AMEX #:_______________________________________Exp. Date:________________

Name on Card:________________________________ Signature:__________________________________

(Registration fee includes materials, breaks, legislative reception and legislative breakfast.  To assist with stewardship of AIIA’s funds, please indicate your attendance at functions listed above.  Cancellation fee:  $10 any cancellation.  No refund after 02/06/01.)

AIIA Member Selected Chairman of CISR Board
Last week, the Society of Certified Insurance Service Representatives (CISR) announced the selection of Mickie Edwards, CIC, CISR, AAI, CPIW with Realty Insurance Agency in Birmingham as the 2001 Chairman of the Board of Governors.  Edwards, who was named AIIA Insuror of the Year at the 2000 AIIA Convention also is currently serving in the role of Chair of the Education Committee.  Please join us in congratulating Mickie on this outstanding accomplishment!  We’re sure that she will continue to be in the news throughout the future. 

Mobile Local Board Announces New Officers
The Mobile Association of Independent Insurance Agents recently installed the following new officers and board members for the 2001 cycle.  President, Allen Ladd with Thames, Batre, Mattei, Beville & Ison; Vice President, Carl Schneider, CIC with Schneider Insurance Agency, Inc.; Secretary/Treasurer, Frank Millsaps, CIC with Millsaps & Associates, Inc. and Board Members, Stephen Wilkins with Morris Insurance Agency, Bill Goodloe with Lyon Fry Cadden Insurance Agency and Bobby Solomon with Solomon Insurance Agency.

February Educational Opportunities
AIIA will be conducting several CISR Agency Operation seminars throughout the month of February. Check out our website at www.aiia.org for dates and locations.  The February CIC has already sold out so remember to sign up for classes early next time around. The next two Birmingham CIC’s will be Personal Lines in April and Commercial Property in May.  Errors & Omissions will only be offered in two locations this month: Birmingham on February 20th and  Sheffield on February 27th . Please register online today or call our office at (205) 326-4129 for additional information.

Progressive Enters Maryland Homeowners Market
Progressive has introduced its homeowners insurance product in a third state - Maryland.  The product will be sold exclusively by independent agents.  The insurer applies the same data-driven approach to pricing homeowners insurance as it does to auto insurance.  The company introduced homeowners insurance in Arizona in March and added Michigan in October.  They do plan to launch in other states though no schedule has been set for additional rollouts.

New AL Rep for Rackley Systems
Help us welcome Rackley’s new Representative for Alabama - Leslie Rogers.  She has just joined the team and can be reached at (800) 874-2616 with any questions about their program.

Infinity Insurance Invites You To Attend 
If you are an authorized Infinity Agent or CSR, and will be attending the State Basketball Playoffs in B’ham, please call Todd Gober at (800) 782-2040 ext. 8131 to claim your free one-day pass.  Please specify which day you would like to attend.  The first four callers will also receive VIP passes to all hospitality areas, including floor level seats.  Deadline for claiming tickets is Sunday, February 25.  (Tickets limited to one per agency.  All tickets for the tournament are general admission.)  Tournament begins Tuesday, February 27th  and ends Saturday, March 3rd. 

Ex-Agent Sentenced In Insurance Case
In a statement from Alabama Attorney General Bill Pryor, a former Birmingham insurance agent pleaded guilty Tuesday to second-degree theft by deception for keeping clients money and not providing them with insurance.  Edward Mac Terry II was sentenced to one year probation and ordered to pay $3,603 in restitution.  After he sold his company in 1997, the new owner recognized irregularities in client records.  After an investigation, the Alabama Insurance Department barred Terry from selling insurance in Alabama and he eventually surrendered his license.

St. Paul Completes Purchase 
The St. Paul Companies announced this week the completion of its purchase of the municipality book of business of PENCO.  The St. Paul has purchased the right to renew PENCO’s book of municipality business, representing approximately $60 million in annual premiums.  They also purchased all rights to the PENCO name.

Employment Opportunities
Commercial Lines CSR needed. Full or part time.  Experience preferred.  Please call (205) 823-2300 and ask for Carolyn Head at extension 3034.

Birmingham agency has relaxed office atmosphere for licensed Commercial Lines ASR.  Experience required.  Competitive salary and benefits.  Please fax resume to (205) 871-3898.

Part-time Bookkeeper needed for agency in the Hoover area.  Applicant must have good knowledge of basic accounting, and computer experience.  Please call Mike Collins at (205) 979-5410.

It’s Nomination Time Again!
AIIA is currently taking nominations for the officers and district directors for the 2001-2002 term.  Currently open for nomination are the offices of Secretary/Treasurer which is a one year term, but a four-year commitment as the person moves through the ranks to become President of AIIA.  Also open for nomination is the State National Director which is a one year commitment and involves travel to IIAA Board meetings.  There are spots open for District Directors in Districts 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 11.  The deadline for submitting a nomination is January 17, 2001.  If you would like to nominate someone or see a complete list of the current District Directors including the ones rotating off, please call Nancy Crowe at AIIA (205) 326-4129. 

AIIA Legislative Conference A Month Away!
This year’s AIIA Legislative Conference on February 13-14 at Embassy Suites in Montgomery is expected to be another big success.  Guest speakers including Lt. Gov. Steve Windom, former AL House member and AIIA member Steve Flowers and Reyn Norman with the AL Dept of Insurance will be in attendance.  We will present our annual Lawmaker of the Year Award and hold a newcomer’s caucus to help agents navigate Capitol Hill while meeting with House and Senate Representatives.  As a first, the legislative reception will be held in the famous Hank Williams Jr. Museum where there will be plenty of food, entertainment and networking opportunities.  We are also offering for the first time a price break for more than one registrant from each office.  Registration forms have been mailed and you may register online at www.aiia.org.  Hotel registrations must be made on your own, so be sure and make your reservation before January 17, 2001 in order to get the AIIA discounted rate.  We’ll see you there!

Corporate License Renewals
Many of you have called our office regarding not receiving your corporate license renewal forms.  We have contacted the AL Department of Insurance on your behalf and have been assured that all corporate license renewals will be mailed out by this Friday so keep an eye out for those early next week.

State Farm Bank Launches Financial Services in Alabama
State Farm Bank which began offering Internet and telephone banking in Illinois and Missouri 19 months ago, branched into Alabama and Mississippi this week.  The $360 million-asset bank offers checking and savings accounts, CD, money market accounts, auto and home equity loans, home mortgages and other traditional services.  Alabama is one of 11 states where State Farm agents now have begun assisting customers with banking services, said John Taliaferro, a State Farm spokesman in Birmingham.  Although agents won’t offer banking services from their branches, “we expect them to play a critical role in answering banking questions from our customers,” he said.  With InsurBanc in it’s final stages of approval, independent agents will soon be able to cash in on the banking business by being able to offer our insureds the same banking services.

AIIA Closes In On Instant Communication Ability 
The list just keeps growing!  AIIA now has an email address for 85% of our agent members and for 54% of our associate members!  Though for most  we only have one address for the office, many offices have sent addresses for all of their employees.  When we go paperless this will tremendously improve our efforts of getting information out to everyone who needs it  - principals, producers, and CSRs - so that your entire office will be up-to-date on changes in the industry.  If you think that we don’t have your address, please email a quick note to Kelly Hood Renshaw at khood@aiia.org and request to be put on the list.  Also, if you haven’t sent the addresses for your entire office, please go ahead send it so we can be ready when the day comes! 

January Educational Events
There are three CISR Personal Automobile courses left this month, which are approved for 8 hours of CE credit. For additional information you may visit our website at www.aiia.org or call our office. We will also offer Errors and Omissions in Dothan on the 23rd and in Huntsville on the 25th of this month. Don’t wait until the last minute to get your continuing education. Start 2001 off right and sign up today!  For more information, call Lauren Mashburn with AIIA at (205) 326-4129.

Chair Picked for New Financial Services Committee
Key Republicans in the U.S. House chose Rep. Michael Oxley late last week to head a newly formed committee with broad oversight in the banking, securities and insurance industries.  The powerful new Financial Services Committee was created to end a lengthy battle between Oxley and Louisiana Republican Billy Tauzin for the Commerce Committee chair.  It replaces the Banking Committee and shifts securities and insurance-related duties from the Commerce Committee.  The move to reshape the finance committee mirrors the co-mingling of U.S. financial services sectors that has been underway for years - a trend that accelerated after Congress overhauled Depression-era laws that separated the banking, securities and insurance industries. 

PIA National Reports Difficult Choices to Members
The National PIA Board met late last year to discuss the findings of their Direction Task Force.  The Task Force recommended that PIA monitor governmental affairs, but not to lobby unless the board approves the action.  With state affiliates dropping membership, PIA has experienced reduced funding.  In addition, large states have requested reduced representation from the small states which, of course, the small states will resist.  The Task Force also recommended that the National Headquarter building be sold. 

Office Depot Program Continues Implementation
The setup of AIIA members’ new accounts with  Office Depot is in the implementation phase.  Over 50% of our members have responded to the form which was sent out in late December requesting information needed to set up a new account.  Office Depot has informed AIIA that getting new members processed with new accounts may take a few weeks, so if you have supplies that you need today, they advise that you go ahead and use your current source.  Once they have the new accounts processed, each member will receive a welcome packet including a business services catalog, a member i.d. and a store purchasing card.  If you have specific questions about the status of your account, please contact Paul Gentry at Pgentry@OfficeDepot.com or call him at (205)444-9091 ext. 221. 

Alabama In Top 10 for InsurPac
Alabama has reason to be proud!  Only seventeen states met their goals for InsurPac contributions last year.  With Alabama raising $11,565, we ranked ninth in the nation in contributions!  This simply proves that AIIA members understand the importance of political involvement on behalf of our industry and are actively doing their part to make sure our organization has proper funding to lobby on our behalf.  Thanks again to all of you who generously gave to the cause and to those who worked so hard to make sure we met our goal!

Vesta Makes Big Announcements
Vesta announced last week four separate transactions, the centerpiece of which is two acquisitions that will enable Vesta to offer a wider range of personal lines insurance products.  Vesta also intends to provide its agency force an opportunity to be rewarded through company stock.  Lastly, Vesta has further strengthened its balance sheet through a debt for equity swap.  Vesta acquired a 52% interest in Instant Insurance Holdings, dba Instant Auto, an emerging company which utilizes Internet and telephone platforms to distribute non-standard auto insurance.  They also announced the acquisition of the capital stock of Aegis Financial Corp, a holding company for a life and accident and health insurer.  In addition, Vesta intends to create an incentive plan to give its agency force an opportunity to acquire company stock for outstanding performance.  Finally, Vesta has exchanged $8 million face amount of its 8.525% Trust Preferred Securities for approximately 1.2 million shares of Vesta common stock, eliminating $682,000 of interest expense on an annual basis.

Local Board Announces New Officers
The Montgomery Independent Insurance Agents recently elected new officers who are as follows: President, James Barber with Turner/Scott, Carper & Aman; Vice President, Don Harris with Aronov Insurance; Secretary/Treasurer, Georgia Dougherty, also with Turner/Scott, Carper & Aman; new Board of Directors, Keith Nobles with Cousins Insurance Agency, Todd Johnson with The Whitecotton Agency, Jerry Haynes with Thompson Insurance Agency and Tommy McQueen with The Frederick Agency.

BIIA Holds Inaugural Ball
The Birmingham Independent Insurance Agents will host their 2001 Inaugural Ball at The Club on Friday evening January 26th. A Cocktail Reception will begin at 7:00 p.m.  The banquet will begin at 8:00 followed by the induction of BIIA’s 2001 Officers, Directors and Committee Chairs.  The great sounds of “Goodfellows” will continue the evening with dancing and easy listening entertainment.  For tickets or further information, contact Cynthia Moss, BIIA Director, at (205) 326-4129.

Employment Opportunities
Licensed Commercial CSR looking for part time position.  Over 13 years experience in commercial insurance and extensive knowledge of the Applied System.  Benefits are not necessary and a negotiated flat hourly rate is preferred. Call (205) 223-4357.