Don’t Miss the Boat!
Regular conference registration prices have been extended to July 30, so there is still time 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 be a premier sales conference and will feature Mediator and Author Lee Goodman and IIAA speaker Bill Wilson.  Both will focus on selling and presentation/negotiation skills for young producers to prepare them for the millennium.  This year’s conference should not be missed. If you don’t have a registration form, call AIIA or you may register on-line at www.aiia.org. Sponsorship and door prize opportunities are still available.  Call Laura Barnett for more details at AIIA (205) 326-4129.

Independent Finance For All Your Financing Needs
You may not know that Independent Finance can finance more than just premiums. They are determined to be your one-stop-shop for all financing needs!  In addition to premium financing, they also finance hardware/software, accounts receivable and inventory, real estate and equipment.  For more details, call Ron Riggins at AIIA (205) 326-4129. 

Upcoming Educational Opportunities
Are you a CIC looking for an update or working on earning your CIC designation?  If so, then we have great news for you!  The August 18-20th Commercial Casualty Institute being held at The Grand Hotel in Pt. Clear, AL is filling up rapidly but there are still a few openings left!  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 throughout the month of August in several locations throughout the state.  To register, call Lauren Mashburn at AIIA (205)326-4129 or register online at www.aiia.org.

Joni Holt - Top 40 Under 40
Joni Holt, CIC, president and sole owner of Ken Holt Insurance Agency, Inc. in Bessemer was recently featured in the July edition of the Birmingham Business Journal as one of Birmingham’s Top 40 Under 40.  Holt has proven her leadership abilities both professionally and in a civic capacity and is not only an AIIA member, but is also a member of the North Alabama Chapter of CPCU and the Birmingham Independent Agents Association.  She is a board member of the Southwest Metro Alliance and currently serves as chairman of the board of the Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce. Under her leadership, the region has had record-setting growth and development.  Congratulations Joni for your outstanding accomplishments!

Insurance Dept Holds Meeting on Auto Insurance Law
Last week the Insurance Department brought together representatives from the Dept. Of Revenue, Public Safety, insurance companies and probate offices for a roundtable discussion on the process of getting the rules and regulations for the new law underway.  “We hope to maintain the status quo with regards to the way insurance companies do business within the state to keep the cost as low as possible for our consumers and ultimately our clients.  We will continue to work toward those ends” said AIIA’s Education Director, Victory McCarley who represented AIIA at the meeting.

Small & Rural Conference Coming Soon
Registration forms for this years Small & Rural Agents Conference to be held October 13-14 in Birmingham will be coming to your mailbox sometime in late August.  The seminar has just been approved for 5 hours of CE credit, so go ahead and mark your calendars now and be sure to attend.

MetLife Auto & Home Acquires The St. Paul’s Personal Insurance Operations
MetLife announced last week that it has acquired the personal insurance operations of The St. Paul Companies.  The acquisition should vault MetLife Auto & Home from 20th to 12th in the personal lines property and casualty industry.  Through this acquisition, MetLife expects to more than double its independent agency distribution network by adding 3,000 independent agencies and brokers to their existing group of 2,700.  Call (800) 282-9183 and select Fax-on-Demand option 053 for a detailed packet or visit the Members-Only site of the IIAA web site at www.independentagent.com.

IIAA Annual Convention Guarantees Payoff
More than 2,500 insurance professionals are expected to attend this year’s 104th Annual Convention on September 27 - October 1 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.  The Agents Virtual Village exhibit will be showcased to inform agents and brokers on the latest technological innovations in an effort to ready them for e-commerce which is already in full swing with many industries.  More than 2,500 insurance professionals are expected to attend.  The Super Saver Discount has been extended to August 16 so take advantage of this opportunity and register today.  For registration information, call (800) 221-7917 or visit www.independentagent.com.

Travelers Launches New Ad Campaign
Travelers has just launched a new TV advertising campaign designed to strengthen the Travelers brand and to promote its commitment to independent agents.  Their four new commercials with all close with the phrase, “Contact a Travelers Independent Agent” and will be made available to local agents to customize with agency name, phone number and logo and run in local markets.  For more information, dial (800) 282-9183 and select Fax-on-Demand option 050 or visit www.independentagent.com to link to the Travelers Web site.

New Louisiana Law Help Agents
Louisiana Gov. Mike Foster recently signed into law legislation that offers groundbreaking protections to Louisiana’s independent agents giving them the exclusive right to use expirations, records and other information related to an agent’s business for the purpose of renewing or selling insurance coverage or services.  It also prohibits insurance companies from using an agent’s customer information to solicit, sell or negotiate sales or renewals.  This new law which protects agent information and ownership of its business can be a model for other states considering similar legislation.

Employment Opportunities
Birmingham agency has full-time CSR position in Medical Services Division.  Experienced CSRs only should call Ann Holcomb at (205) 969-2131. 
HDL Insurance, Inc. in Foley has an opening for a Commercial Lines Agent. Please fax resumes to Frances at (334) 971-3625 or mail to P.O. Drawer 1985, Foley, AL 36536.

House Approves Y2K Compromise
House lawmakers voted last week to approve the conference report on legislation to limit Y2K liability for small businesses.  The bill would limit small business liability for the Y2K computer glitch by giving companies up to 90 days to fix any problems before a lawsuit could be brought; placing limits on punitive damages, creating a formula for assessing blame and requiring large class action suits to be tried in federal rather than state courts.  The agreement caps punitive damages to the lesser of $250,000 or three times the amount of compensatory damages for individuals with a net worth of up to $500,000 and for companies with fewer than 50 employees.  For more information dial (800) 282-9183 and select option 042.

AIIA Now Accepts American Express
In our continued effort to serve our membership, we now accept American Express for payment of association products and services.  Already accepting Visa & MasterCard, you may charge membership dues, convention/conference registrations, education classes, books and videos, sponsorship and door prize commitments, as well as AIIA annual subscriptions.

Alabama CSR Named National CSR of the Year
Barbara Rutherford, CIC, CPIW, AU of Lyon Fry Cadden Insurance Agency, Inc. of Mobile was recently awarded the most prestigious honor available to customer service representatives - the 1999 National Outstanding CSR of the Year Award.  “It is quite an honor for the award to be awarded to an Alabama CSR three out of the last four years” says Victor McCarley, AIIA Director of Education.  The Society of Certified Insurance Service Representatives (CISR) and the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC) selected Ms. Rutherford as the winner of this award from a field of 44 and five finalists based upon her contributions to the insurance community and an essay on “The Changing Role of the Customer Service Representative in the 21st Century.”  Ms. Rutherford, a Commercial Lines CSR, has been active in the insurance profession for over 19 years and earned her CIC designation in 1990.  In addition to a cash award, Ms Rutherford’s name is inscribed on a sculpture on permanent display at the Society of CISR’s national headquarters in Austin, TX. 

Annual Convention Huge Success
This year’s annual convention “MISSION POSSIBLE” proved to be just that.  It was a tremendous success with a record attendance by agents and their families, as well as exhibitors.  The convention truly has become a family affair evidenced by the participation of over 140 children in the crab hunt.  Quinton Hanson, CIC was installed as the new 1999-2000 AIIA President during the general session where both George Bentley and Barbara Rutherford were recognized for their outstanding achievements in the insurance industry.  AIIA would like to thank all of the sponsors for helping to make this year’s Convention a huge success. 

H.R. 10 Passes the House
The financial Services Reform Act (H.R. 10) was approved by the House of Representatives last night!  It contains positive provisions that will help to strengthen state insurance regulation and offers a foundation to build a true functional regulation system for all insurance activities.  Though it provides a foundation to build upon in the future, the bill still needs to be improved in the area of functional regulation of insurance.  IIAA will be working with the House-Senate conference committee members to make certain that the important functional regulation provisions are included in the final proposal.  For more information, contact Jeffrey Myers at (202)863-7000 or e-mail at jmyers@iiaa.org.

Continuing Education
AIIA has the following C.E. classes available in July:
July 7  E&O-Sheffield   July 20  CL Issues-Mobile
July 8  E&O-Tuscaloosa  July 21  CL Issues-Montgomery
July 13  E&O-Montgomery  July 22  CL Issues-Birmingham
July 15  E&O-Birmingham  July 23  CL Issues-Huntsville 
Call Lauren Mashburn at AIIA (205)326-4129 to register or for more information.

Don’t Miss the Boat
 Registration for the Annual Young Agents Conference “Don’t Miss the Boat” to be held August 19 - 21 at the Sandestin Bayside Resort is underway. Registration forms were mailed two weeks ago and are in the July issue of The Alabama Independent. You may also register on our web site at www.aiia.org.  This year’s conference will include Mediator and Author Lee Goodman and IIAA speaker Bill Wilson and will focus on addressing the issues presentation and negotiation skills for the future.  This year’s conference should definitely not be missed, so “DON’T MISS THE BOAT.” Call Laura Barnett for more details at AIIA (205) 326-4129.

Dreaming of a Green Christmas?
AIIA recently kicked off the “Dreaming of a Green Christmas” Give-a-way which will award a grand prize of $2500 cash and a one night stay at the Winfrey Hotel for one lucky producer!  Agents win five chances just by signing up with Independent Finance and win additional chances each time a contract is placed until December 15, 1999.  Call Kelly Hood at AIIA for more information (205) 326-4129.

NAIW Announces Award Winners
The NAIW recently saluted its regional award winners which included two Alabama women.  Estelle Smith, CIC, AAI, AIS, CPIW with Alabama Public Auto won the Insurance Professional of the Year award from Region III and Terri Lynne Wilson, CISR, CPIW of CRC won the Communicate with Confidence award from Region III.  Congratulations to both of you for your outstanding achievements!

Employment Opportunities
Nesbitt & Associates, Inc. in Birmingham has an opening for an experienced CSR in Commercial Auto/Transportation/Trucking.  Please send resume to P.O. Box 661255, Birmingham, AL 35266 or fax to (205)822-2087.

HRH in Birmingham has an opening for a Commercial Lines CSR. Please fax resumes to Glenda Pearson at (205) 879-5505.

Murphree Insurance in Oneonta is looking fro a Personal and Commercial Lines CSR.  Please fax resumes to Jim Murphree at (205) 274-2379 or call (205)274-2378 for more information.

Cummings, Gazaway in Huntsville is looking for a Commercial Lines CSR.  Excellent benefits available including pension plan and ESOP.  Fax resumes to Gene Gardner at (256)536-4624 or call (256)533-5600.

Mailon Kent Insurance in Birmingham has a position for a Personal Lines CSR.  Personal Lines experience required.  Send resumes to P.O. Box 530097, Birmingham, AL 35253.

Eagle Agency
This new IIAA program is going strong with more agents having signed up enabling them to gain market access to both Chubb and Travelers personal lines products.  For more information about the program, call Kelly Hood at AIIA (205) 326-4129. 

E-Agent underway in Florida
In an tremendous cost saving maneuver, as of June 30th  FAIA will no longer provide hard copies of their newsletter to their membership, but will instead send it via E-Mail.  FAIA expects to save over $100,000 in newsletter production costs alone. They are not alone in this move as other trade associations have been communicating exclusively via E-mail for quite some time not only because information gets out much more quickly, but is also done at a fraction of the cost. 

Agents Virtual Village Unveiling
The Agents Virtual Village exhibit will be showcased during IIAA’s 104th Annual Convention & Trade Show to be held Sept. 27 - Oct. 1 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.  More than 2,500 insurance professionals are expected to attend.  For registration information, call (800) 221-7917 or visit www.independentagent.com.

4th of July Observance
The AIIA office will be closed Monday, July 5th in observance of the 4th of July.  We hope all of you have a fun and safe weekend!