Fall Board Meeting Proved Productive
Last week’s Board Meeting, attended by of almost every board member, proved to be very productive.  Each of the committee chairs delivered reports on the progress of their respective committees.  Mickie Edwards, CISR, CIC, CPIW, AAI , chairperson of the Education Committee reported on the new program offerings in 2001 including the new Life & Health Licensing School, the Producer School and the HO 2000 programs. 

Jim Murphree, chairman of the Legislative Committee, commented on the success of our endorsed candidates in the Judicial elections and reviewed the committee’s involvement in working with the Insurance Department on the Model Licensure Bill.  He also noted that work is underway with the Young Agents Committee on the 2001 Legislative Conference to be held on February 13 - 14, 2000.

John Dark, chairman of the Member Services Committee introduced a new office supply program which is to be the newest member benefit.  The endorsement of Office Depot will allow our members to purchase products over the internet, phone, fax or by walking into a store at deep discounts.  Look for more information coming to you soon on this program.

Ron Scott reported that the Associate Member Advisory Committee continues to work with the AIIA to improve the sponsorship of conventions and  has expressed interest in AIIA’s plan to implement an internet market access program. 

George Bentley thanked everyone for contributing to InsurPac which helped us to be one of the few states to reach our goal.   Sam Newton, chairman of the Small & Rural Agents Committee,  discussed the success of the Small & Rural Conference.  Joel Quillen, chairman of the Personal Lines Committee discussed the importance of Credit Scoring and noted that forms and white papers are available on www.iiaa.net or by calling our Fax-On-Demand number at 877-669-1872 and requesting item #6017.  Rux Bentley, chairman of the YA Committee discussed their  efforts with regards to recruitment, the Excalibur Educational Foundation and the upcoming 2001 YA Convention.  Finally, the new 2001 AIIA Budget was  presented and approved by the board. 

On the Board Meeting AIIA President, Joe Fuller said, “I am excited by the progress which has been made through the work of our committees.  I encourage the members of the Board to take the enthusiasm that was generated from the progress reports on each of our programs and start contacting our membership.  Our agent members are our partners and the board members are senior partners of the association.  As a board member, start being an active participant and make calls to agent members in your area regarding the superiority of our Association’s programs and benefits.  Tell them about our superior E&O program along with the many other insurance products offered by AIIA.  Also encourage their participation in our award winning education program.  And finally, make sure they know that our association has been the bedrock of communication between agents, insurance companies, regulatory agencies and elected officials for years and will continue to work diligently to keep our members informed on industry issues.”

InsurBanc Gains Conditional Approval
InsurBanc, a full-service federal savings bank that will enable consumers to access financial products through their local independent insurance agent, has been granted conditional approval by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS).  InsurBanc will be authorized to operate in three states - Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey - once it meets the criteria laid out in the OTS conditional approval and obtains approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.  Other states will be added periodically.  Individual consumers will have access to auto loans, credit cards, home equity loans, mortgages, certificates of deposit, money market funds and more.  For business clients, the bank will offer lines of credit, commercial real estate loans, cash management services and other services.  For a copy of the press release, dial IIAA’s fax-on-demand service at 800-282-9183 and select document #245.

New RLI Application Required
The new business application, PUP276 115 (07/00) is  now mandatory.  All other versions of the Personal Umbrella Application will no longer be accepted.  The application and rate sheet can be retrieved from our Fax-On-Demand by calling 877-669-1872 and requesting item #2002 & 2003.  If you have any questions, please contact Tangy Richardson at (205) 326-4129.  To order RLI applications, please fax a request to (205) 326-4144.
 

P.O. Box No Longer Valid For AIIA
Please be aware that AIIA is no longer using its P.O. Box.  All correspondence should be sent to the street address at 2918 Clairmont Avenue, Birmingham, AL 35205.

AIIA Celebrates Success With Endorsed Candidates
AIIA has reason to celebrate!  After a long process that involved thorough interviews and reviews of philosophies, AIIA released the list of it’s endorsed candidates to it’s membership which were candidates that it felt had strong pro-business philosophies and were not beholden to the whims of the trial lawyers in this state.  On November 7th, AIIA’s work paid off when all but one of it’s endorsed candidates were elected to office on Alabama’s courts.  Now, based upon the work of this association and other pro-business associations across the state during the 1996, 1998 and 2000 elections, Alabama’s Supreme Court now has an 8 to 1 majority of Justices that are against excessive punitive damage awards.  Let’s keep up the good work!

Agency Universe Study
The last four years have been a period of financial growth and agent consolidation, according to the 2000 Agency Universe Study conducted by Future One, a cooperative effort of IIAA and 19 leading Insurance companies.  The following are key findings.  There are 42,000 independent agencies today, down 5% from 44,000 in 1996.  Sixty-two percent of independent agencies reported revenue growth in 1999 over the year prior (just 15% experienced a decline).  Ninety-eight percent of agencies report having some non-insurance revenue.  Internet usage has increased significantly, about 85% in the past four years.  Also,  agencies are using technology to streamline their processes, with fully automated policy rating, automated application processes and certificates and endorsement processing tying with accounting processes.  For a copy of the press release, call IIAA’s fax-on-demand service at 800-282-9183 and choose item # 241.

New State Law Mandates Auto Premium Reductions For Seniors
A new state law that goes into effect December 1, 2000,  mandates that persons 55 years or older who complete an 8 hour motor vehicle accident prevention course shall receive a reduction in auto insurance premium for a three year period.  Contact your local AARP for more details on the vehicle accident prevention course.

Truckers Warned of Problem Insurance Program
A warning has been issued to truckers in Alabama to be aware of an insurance program offered through J. Gordon Transportation Services, Inc. in Jemison, AL  which is believed to have been operating since August.  The insurance is allegedly provided through a direct writers trucking program whereby over twenty insurers participate including Nationwide Insurance Company, Unum Insurance Company, Global Indemnity, AIG, Progressive and the Viking Group.  The program claims to secure trucking with commercial liability insurance with admitted insurers.  At this point the Department is unsure whether any legitimate insurance company or licensed surplus lines broker is actually involved.  To date, the Department’s investigation has not been able to locate any licensed insurers underwriting or assuming the risk being written through this plan.  Neither the program nor the policies have been filed or approved by the Department.

AIIA Membership Directories Now On Sale
We now have AIIA Membership Directories on sale for Associate Members for $15 per item.  Any company who needs an extra directory, please contact Kelly Renshaw at (205) 326-4129.  Any agent member needing another copy, please contact Kelly as well.

AIIA Education Department Wins Again
The AIIA Education Department has won the L.P. McCord National Education Award for the fifth time.  The award was presented at the IIAA National Convention with Victor McCarley there to accept.  Please join us in congratulating Victor and Lauren Mashburn for their outstanding work in making this an excellent program.

Save The Date
Mark your calendars and save the date for the AIIA Legislative Conference to be held at the Montgomery Embassy Suites on February 13-14, 2001.  The Legislative Reception will be held at the historic Hank Williams Museum.  Registration forms will be out in January, 2001.

Employment Opportunities
Energetic, articulate, motivated individual seeks career as insurance producer.  Ready to make a long term commitment to the industry.  Seeking employment in Birmingham, Huntsville, Decatur, Gadsden, Anniston, Tuscaloosa or Auburn areas.  Interested in Personal Lines and some commercial.  Contact Ron Scott for additional information and background.

Property and Casualty agency for sale in Montgomery.  Please contact Bill Young at (205) 799-0190.

Personal Lines CSR opening.  Prefer at least 2 years personal lines experience.  Please fax resume to (205) 930-0450, attention Personal Lines Manager.

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