NEW LICENSE NUMBER CHANGES!
Please note that the Department of Insurance has installed new software that required a change in your Alabama Agent’s License Number.  The new numbers will begin with the letter “A” and are followed by six numerals, i.e. A009999.  The Department will still be able to identify licensees by the “old” number, but due to the change, all future written documents generated by the Department will reflect the “new” alphanumeric license number. Agents who hold multiple licenses will have the same “new” number for all license types.

Web-site Inquiry System in Works!
The Alabama Insurance Department announced today that they are in the process of loading agent license information into their Internet site data base. This will allow agents and brokers to check the status of their licenses with the department.  Look for this soon on www.aldoi.org

Also per our Newsline Bulletin dated March 20th, you should have started to receive some of the documents the Insurance Department mailed out on March 17th.  The documents mailed included:

1. License Renewal Notices for agents with March dates of birth.
 2. Agents and Service Representative Licenses - confirming those individuals born in October,
 November, December, and January who have complied with annual renewal notices.
 3. Corporation and Partnership Renewal Licenses - Confirming they have complied with the 2000 renewal requirements.
 4. Surplus Lines Renewal Licenses - Confirming they have complied with the 2000 renewal requirements.
 5. Broker Renewal Licenses - Confirming they have complied with the 2000 renewal requirements.
 6. Confirmation of Examination Results received from the University of Alabama through March 4th.
 7. Confirmation of Appointments and New Licenses reflected in the Department of Insurance database through March 10th.

Other documents to be mailed in the next few weeks will include:

1. License Renewal Notices for agents with April dates of birth.
2. Intent to Suspend Notices and Suspension Orders for agents and service representatives who have not renewed 
    their licenses for September, October, November, December, January, and February.
3. Renewal Licenses for adjusters, motor club agents, pre-paid dental and legal agents, as well as credit only agents.
4. Supplemental and Corrected Renewal Rosters - to insurers.

We continue to ask that if you have a license problem that you send a fax to the attention of Victor McCarley at (205) 326-3086 detailing the problem you are having with the Department. AIIA has a program in place to handle these inquiries directly with the Insurance Department and can possibly expedite the matter for you.

After multiple contacts from agents regarding problems with licensing, Ron Scott, CAE, AIIA Executive Vice President and Victor McCarley, AIIA Director of Education visited the Alabama Department of Insurance on March 16, 2000 to discuss the issue.

The Department of Insurance has posted the following press release on their web site at www.aldoi.org which is an update on license renewals that have been processed and mailed as of March 17, 2000. 

   1. License Renewal Notices (billings) for agents with March dates of birth.
   2. Agents and Service Representative Renewal Licenses – confirming those individuals born in October, November, December, and January who have complied with annual renewal notices.
    3. Corporation and Partnership Renewal Licenses – confirming they have complied with the 2000 renewal requirements.
    4. Surplus Lines Renewal Licenses – confirming they have complied with the 2000 renewal requirements.
    5. Broker Renewal Licenses – confirming they have complied with the 2000 renewal
           requirements.
   6. Confirmation of Examination Results received from the University of Alabama through
           March 4th. 
    7. Confirmation of Appointments and New Licenses reflected in the Department of Insurance database through March 10th.

            NOTE: Please contact the Agents Licensing Division if you believe you should have
            received one of the documents listed above, but have not. You may send this request via
            fax (334) 240-3282 or regular mail if you are unable to get assistance by calling (334)
            241-4126.

  1. License Renewal Notices (billings) for agents with April dates of birth.
  2. Intent to Suspend Notices and Suspension Orders for agents and service representatives
           who have not renewed their licenses for September, October, November, December, January and February.
  3. Renewal Licenses for adjusters, motor club agents, pre-paid dental and legal agents, as well as credit only agents.
  4. Supplemental and Corrected Renewal Rosters - to insurers.

If you believe that you should have received one of the above documents and do not in a timely manner, it is very important that you inquire about the status of your application/renewal.  Rather than contacting the Department of Insurance directly, please fax your inquiry to Victor McCarley at AIIA (205) 326-3086.  AIIA has a program in place to handle the inquiries with the Department of Insurance in bulk and can possibly expedite the matter for you.

Also, the Department suggested that agencies should refer companies to the Alabama Department of Insurance press release on their web site at www.aldoi.org as a short term solution for providing corporate licensing information.

AIIA also discussed with the Department the problems associated with the scheduling of licensing tests.  There was a backlog of information within the Department of Insurance; however, the notification information has now been sent to the University of Alabama.  Please be patient as they are processing that information as quickly as they can.

If you would like a copy of the press release as printed from the Alabama Department of Insurance’s web site, please call AIIA at (205) 326-4129 or visit the site directly at www.aldoi.org.

Senator George Clay Named Lawmaker of the Year
During the AIIA Legislative Conference, Senator George Clay was honored as Lawmaker of the Year.  Senator Clay, of Clay & Associates in Tuskegee and a member of AIIA, has been an independent agent for 33 years.  In response to the award Senator Clay said “It is a great honor to be recognized by your peers.  I encourage more independent agents to get involved.  We need more of us in Montgomery to keep up with the day to day things that are going on that effect our industry.”

AIIA Board of Directors Votes on New Officers
At the conclusion of the Annual Legislative Conference, the AIIA Board of Directors met and voted on the new slate of officers and directors for the 2000-2001 year.  The new Secretary/Treasurer nominee will be Arthur Williams, CIC, AIC of Byars & Associates.  The following are nominees for District Directors that will join those already sitting on the board.  District 1, Richard Schneider of Schneider Insurance Agency; District 3, Tommy McQueen of The Frederick Agency and Joseph Bennett, CISR of Cousins Insurance Agency, Inc.; District 4, Cecil Yarbrough, CIC of University Agency; District 5, Lester O’Neal of O’Neal Agency; District 7, Lisa Worley, CIC, ARM of Anchor Insurance Agency and Kelly Byrne, of Independent Insurance Agents, Inc.; District 8, Phillip Underwood, CIC of Talladega Insurance Agency and District 9, Jerry Fowler of Miller-Harris-Fowler Insurance, Inc and Steve Hoggle, CIC of Woodall & Hoggle Insurance Agency.  The nominees for officers and directors will be voted on by the general membership and will begin their term in the aforementioned offices at the AIIA Annual Convention in June.

AIIA Legislative Conference Wrap-Up
The annual AIIA Legislative Conference at the Embassy Suites in Montgomery was a huge success with more than 120 agents and company representatives in attendance.   The conference provided the opportunity to visit Capitol Hill to meet with legislators and discuss issues important to our industry such as the mandatory automobile insurance legislation, the proposed legislation to do away with the countersignature requirement and reasons why we don’t need an insurance consumer advocate on the governor’s cabinet.  The first day of the conference featured speakers including Attorney General Bill Pryor, Sen. George Clay, Rep. Mike Hubbard, and Bill O’Connor from the BCA, as well as Reyn Norman from the Dept. of Insurance, Hugh McCall from the Dept. of Public Safety, and Scotty Spates from the Dept. of Industrial Relations.  The day was topped off by a joint legislative reception with the BCA at the Civic Center that was very successful.  On the final day of the conference agents were addressed by Supreme Court Justices Harold See and Champ Lyons and Civil Appeals Court Judge John Crawley who discussed their upcoming races.  The event was a huge success and we encourage everyone to attend next year! 

CGU To Exit U.S. Market
CGU announced last week that it will exit the U.S. property and casualty market through an orderly transfer of ownerships of the U.S. business.  CGU will operate on the basis of “business as usual” while it seeks new shareholders for the U.S. business. 

BIG I PAC To Hold Golf Outing
Mark your calendars to attend the BIG I PAC golf outing on Tuesday, September 12, 2000 at the Robert Trent Jones Capitol Hill Golf Course in Prattville.  It will be a day of fun while meeting and talking with judicial candidates, as well as raising money for a good cause.
Condolences to the Family of Bill Grimwood
AIIA and its members send their deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Bill Grimwood.  Bill’s father, Mr. William O. Grimwood, passed away on February 20, 2000 after years of dedication and hard work in the insurance industry.  “His life was his work,” said Bill about his father.  Mr. Grimwood founded Grimwood Insurance Agency in 1956 and retired just four years ago at the age of 84. 

George Bentley To Chair InsurPac
George Bentley of Rux Carter Agency in Columbiana has just been named the new AIIA InsurPac Chairman.  Last year, Alabama was one of the sixteen states that reached or exceeded their goals for InsurPac contributions.  In addition, Alabama is one of only five states that has reached its goal over the past five years.  We salute last year’s AIIA InsurPac Chairman John Kirkpatrick for all of his hard work and wish the best of luck to George in continuing the tradition.

First Producer School Proved Successful
The first ever AIIA Commercial Lines Producer School came to a close this week after 10 days of intensive training spread over the last three weeks.  Three instructors were brought in including Patrick Deem from Austin, TX, Keith Wilts from Louisville, KY and Chris Amrhein, IIAA VP of Industry Affairs to teach the eighteen participants.  “We now have the ability to offer our members a comprehensive technical and sales training course specifically designed for commercial lines producers.  Look for it to be offered again next year,” said Victor McCarley, AIIA Education Director.  Congratulations to the following participants who are the first graduates of the program: Drew Alexander of Helms Insurance Agency, Eric Chandler of the Fitts Agency, Inc., Dawn Byars, Amy Mansfield, Kip Tullos, Josh Holloway, Wright Kimbro, Greg McElveen and Staci Ranelli of Cobbs, Allen & Hall, Katy McGehee of Talladega Insurance Agency, Thomas Minnix of The Johnson Agency, Joe Nichols of Byars & Associates, Inc., Larry Pinkerton of The Turner Agency, Cindy Roe of Palomar Insurance Corporation, Berney Waite, Jr. of Community Insurance Corp, Scott Boyett of J. Smith Lanier & Co., Stephanie Tucker Meinert of Anchor Insurance Agency, and Kip Nails of C.I.M.A, Inc. 

Upcoming Educational Events
Attention CIC’s who need to update or anyone working on obtaining this designation. Agency Management is being held in Birmingham, April 5-7, 2000. We still have availability in this institute so call today! Remember, this will be the last CIC we offer until the end of May.  Errors and Omissions will be held in Montgomery and Huntsville this month. This seminar is approved for 6 hours of continuing education credit. You may now register for any education class online, www.aiia.org. For any additional information call our office today at (205) 326-4129.

Allstate Loses CNA Personal Insurance President Marlow, Reports 44% Income Drop
Allstate recently announced the loss of Bruce Marlow, its president of independent agent operations and has replaced him with Ernest Lausier.  The company also reported a 44 percent drop in quarterly earnings.

Ohio Casualty Announces Management Changes
Ohio Casualty (OC) announced that William L. Woodall, CPCU, former president of the corporation, has assumed the posts of president and CEO, effective immediately.

AIIA Supports AICPCU
AIIA recently made a contribution to the AICPCU’s Institutes’ Development Fund to assist in the development of cost-effective educational products and services.

Vesta Rating Boasted By A.M. Best Co.
Vesta Insurance Group Inc.’s insurance subsidiaries have been upgraded to “B+” by rating agency A.M. Best Co. reflecting it’s assessment of Vesta’s improved financial condition. Vesta also recently appointed Lt. Gov. Steve Windom to its board.

Employment Opportunities
Gadsden agency seeks CL CSR and an Assistant Underwriter.  Requirements include excellent data entry skills, 3+ yrs experience in service/underwriting and effective communication skills.  Send resumes C/O B. Osborn, 200 Broad St. 3rd Floor, Gadsden, AL 35901, fax to (256) 546-7787 or email to bosbo@weaverinsurancegroup.com