The
Alabama Independent Insurance Agents Association
The mission of the Alabama
Independent Insurance Agents Association is to be the unrelenting advocate
for independent insurance agents and to fulfill member need while serving
the public’s best interest.
One of our goals is to provide
the highest level of products and services to our members through the effective
performance of our employees and volunteers. Our organization is composed
of many individuals who work together to produce the product of which we
are particularly proud - QUALITY.
The association has grown
through team effort, and it is only with this continued effort that we
will continue to grow. We work hard to help each individual develop skills
and knowledge that foster success for both the individual and the association.
Membership Eligibility
Any person, partnership,
or corporation operating as an independent insurance agency and having
agency appointments by at least two companies may become a member of the
association upon completion of an AIIA Membership Contract, payment of
dues and approval by a 100 % vote of the AIIA Executive Committee. The
Membership Contract must be accompanied by a check, payable to AIIA, for
semi-annual dues based upon the number of employees in your agency.
Table
of Contents
Section
I:
• Member
Benefits and Services
• National
Association Membership
• Use of
Logo
• AIIA
Lobbying Effort
• Regulatory
Representation
• Internet
Website
• Education
Program
• Young
Agents Committee
• National
Association - IIABA Sponsored Events
• State
Association - AIIA Sponsored Events
• Industry
News
• Group
Dental, Life, Disability, & Medicare Insurance
• IRA Program
• Investor
Program
• 401(k)
Plan
• Discounts
Section
II:
• Member
Markets
• AgentSecure.com
• Eagle
Agency
• Flood
Insurance Programs
• Personal
Umbrella Policy
• In-Home
Business Policy
• Premium
Finance Program
• Inventory
Verification Program
Section
III:
• Member
Products
• Errors
& Omissions Insurance
• Commercial
Umbrella Policy
• Employment
Practices Liability Insurance
• Big “I”
Certs
• Caliper
And Omnia Employment Profiles
Member
Benefits And Services
Member Markets are markets
made available through the association for your agency to purchase, and/or
to sell to your customers. Please remember that these products are available
for sale only through contract with the applicable company.
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National
Association Membership
AIIA membership carries
with it automatic membership in the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers
of America (IIABA) or the Big I. The majority of your AIIA dues payment
goes directly to pay for your national IIABA dues. As an AIIA member, you
are granted access to all the benefits and services offered by the national
association of Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, IIABA.
On a monthly basis, you will receive a copy of IA, the IIABA National magazine.
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Use
of Logo
As a member, you are entitled
to use the IIABA logo. This logo is a nationally recognized symbol of the
insurance industry and is available for members’ use on agency signs, letterhead,
business cards, yellow pages advertising, promotional material, etc.
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AIIA
Lobbying Effort
The AIIA strives to maintain
a vigilant lobbying effort on behalf of independent insurance agents. This
is done through dedicated lobbyist representation during each session of
the Alabama Legislature, as well as maintenance of an active political
action committee (Big I PAC). In addition, IIABA maintains a national lobbying
effort on behalf of independent agents, maintains political committees,
and holds annual legislative conferences to meet with Congressional representatives.
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Regulatory
Representation
AIIA enjoys an outstanding
working relationship with the offices of the Alabama Insurance Commissioner
and his staff. Our volunteer leadership meets regularly with the Commissioner
and his staff to discuss issues of importance to agents, agencies and their
clients.
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Internet
Web site
The AIIA maintains an Internet
Web site at www.aiia.org. The Website is updated on a regular basis and
has association and member contact information, event and education information
and registration as well as recent industry news.
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Education
Program
The AIIA sponsors a full
calendar of educational courses throughout the state designed for the insurance
professional. These courses meet insurance industry continuing education
requirements and instructors consistently meet high educational standards.
Members are eligible to attend all educational courses sponsored by the
AIIA at discounted rates. For more information, contact Nita Blankenship
at (205) 326-4129, x 105 or nblankenship@aiia.org.
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Young
Agents Committee
The AIIA has an active Young
Agents Committee that provides an opportunity for young agents (under 40
years of age) to be actively involved in their future and the future of
the independent agency system. These Young Agents will become the leaders
of tomorrow and the AIIA makes every possible effort to help them learn
and grow as insurance professionals.
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National
Association - IIABA Sponsored Events
IIABA National Convention
is an annual IIABA national association meeting that provides several workshops
and seminars on current issues facing independent agents. This year it
will be held in New Orleans.
IIABA National Legislative
Conference is an IIABA sponsored annual event giving members an opportunity
to meet personally with our Congressional and Senate delegations.
IIABA National Young Agents
Leadership Development Conference provides young agents with an opportunity
to network with industry peers and professionals on the national level.
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State
Association - AIIA Sponsored Events
AIIA Legislative Conference
is an annual meeting that provides a forum for our members to meet their
local state representatives and senators and discuss legislative issues
facing independent agents. The next conference will occur March 17, 2005.
AIIA Annual Convention and
Trade Show is an annual convention that provides several seminars on current
industry issues facing independent agents, as well as recognition of the
outstanding insurors and CISRs. The next convention is set for June 16-18,
2005
AIIA Young Agent Conference
is an annual meeting designed specifically for young agents and provides
seminars, which teach the skills, needed to become the Leaders of Tomorrow.
The next conference will be June 14-16, 2005.
AIIA Small & Rural Agents
Conference is an annual meeting designed specifically for and addresses
issues specific to Small & Rural agents. This year’s conference will
take place
September 21, 2004.
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Industry
News
AIIA produces The Alabama
Independent, our quarterly magazine, and NEWSLINE, our weekly newsletter,
specifically for our members in order to keep them up to date on current
industry news and developments, new markets, as well as what’s happening
with fellow AIIA members throughout the state.
Group Dental, Life and AD&D,
& Disability Insurance
IIABA offers several options
for dental, life, long and short-term disability, accidental death and
disability, and medicare supplement insurance coverages. These options
range from managed care, PPO plans, standard 80/20 plans, comprehensive
plans, individual coverage, or group coverage, depending on your agency’s
needs. For more information, contact IIABA at (800) 848-4401 or call IIABA’s
Fax On Demand service at (800) 296-0578 and select document #2704.
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Group
Dental
IIABA’s dental coverage
provides meaningful benefits to our members. Underwritten by the Guardian
Life Insurance Company, the plan offers comprehensive and affordable coverage.
The Dental Plan encourages preventative care, with outstanding benefits
for routine exams and x-rays, teeth cleaning and more. It also helps with
treatments including fillings, root canals, crowns, dentures and even children’s
orthodontia. The plan offers freedom of choice in selecting a provider/preferred
provider option. IIABA’s Dental Plan is available to all IIABA member agents
of groups of two or more in endorsed states.
Eligible members are:
• Under the age of 65
• Full time employees working
at least 30 hours per week
• Member lawful spouses
under age 65 and dependent
• Children under age 19
(or age 25 if enrolled as a full time student in an accredited school)
Life
IIABA’s Life Insurance coverage,
underwritten by Guardian Life Insurance Company, offers hard-to-find, affordable
group term life insurance. This vital coverage helps pay for final expenses,
estate settlement, probate costs, repayment of debts, replacement of lost
income, college expenses and more. Life Insurance is available up to $100,000
in basic term benefits, and $500,000 in optional insurance.
IIABA’S Life Insurance (AD&D)
offers:
• Life insurance protection
with benefits from $10,000 to $500,000
• A choice of plan options
• Cost-effective premium
rates and payment options
IIABA’s Life Insurance coverage
is available to all IIABA member agents in endorsed states.
Eligible members are:
• Under the age of 65 and
a resident of the U.S., their spouses, and dependent children
• Employees who actively
work at least 30 hours per week
• Employees that desire
life insurance on a contributory basis
Long Term Disability, Short
Term Disability
IIABA’s Short Term and Long
Term Disability Plans (STD/LTD), underwritten by Guardian Life
Insurance Company offers
multiple plan options and comprehensive cost-effective coverage. Short
Term Disability (STD) insurance protects insureds from loss of income during
illness or accident that last between one and 13 weeks (or between one
and 26 weeks for Plan II).
Long Term Disability
(LTD) benefits are coordinated with other coverages. Coverage is guaranteed
issue for firms with ten or more employees and 75% or greater participation.
The LTD plan also offers a benefits duration from five years to age 70
under two different plans. Benefits are paid at 66 2/3% or 60% of pre-disability
earnings up to a maximum of $10,000 monthly.
IIABA’s Short Term and Long
Term Disability Plan programs are available to all IIABA member agents
in endorsed states.
Eligible members are:
• Under age 60 (full time
active employees working at least 30 hours per week)
Big “I” Retirement Programs
IIABA offers a complete
range of retirement plans: IRA, Roth IRA, Educational IRA, SEP, SIMPLE
IRA, SIMPLE 401(k), Safe Harbor 401(k) and Regular 401(k). Providing a
retirement plan for employees is a great benefit - for them and for you.
You add value to your benefits package and save on your agency’s and your
employees’ taxes. Depending on your plan, participants can select from
among eight to thirteen investment options, with advisors like Putman,
Morgan Stanley, Berger & INVESCO. Participants receive quarterly statements,
investment monitoring, daily transfer ability and Internet access. In fact,
IIABA has leveraged its clout to bring plan participants access to programs,
funds, and price levels typically enjoyed only by large, institutional
investors. IIABA’s Retirement Programs are available to all IIABA member
agents in endorsed states.
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IRA
Program
For the agency staff, the
IIABA/IRA Program allows member employees to maximize investment earnings
with highly competitive returns. Plans available include: Regular, Roth
and Education IRAs, EZ Saver and SIMPLE IRAs. Funds are invested in Connecticut
General Life Insurance Company which is rated ‘A+’ by A.M. Best Company.
For more information, contact IIABA at (800) 848-4401.
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Investor
Program
The IIABA/Investor Program
provides an investment vehicle for greater returns on member agencies’
qualified pension and/or profit sharing plan assets. This program is available
to any member or agency staff. For more information, contact IIABA at (800)
848-4401.
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401(k)
Plan
IIABA offers tax-advantaged
investing, a mix of investment options, administrative ease, financially
sound management, and the national buying power of IIABA. Plans available
include: SEP Program, SIMPLE 401(k), Full Service 401(k) and Safe Harbor
401(k). For more information, contact IIABA at (800) 848-4401.
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Discounts
Office Depot Office Supplies
Program
AIIA endorses Office Depot
to provide our members with office equipment, furniture and supplies!
This free program allows
you to save 3% on every order all year long and it’s FREE! The program
offers phone, fax and Internet ordering of office products, furniture and
equipment with free next day business delivery to the metro areas of Birmingham,
Anniston, Tuscaloosa, Huntsville, Decatur, Montgomery, Auburn, and Mobile.
To remote locations, orders are shipped free via UPS (2-3 day ground) with
a minimum order of $75. Each member will receive a store-purchasing card,
which will enable you to get the same member discounted prices on products
even if you purchase them in an Office Depot retail store. You can order
from your computer or via fax which would save you the time you would normally
spend going to your local office supply store, and your items will be delivered
for free ($75 min. order)! We encourage all of you to participate in this
great-endorsed program! To sign up for this program, visit our website,
www.aiia.org, or contact Alison Ray King at (205) 326-4129, ext. 106.
Car Rental
The Hertz Member Benefits
Program offers the ultimate in car rental savings and service. Call 1-
800-654-2000 and give this
CDP number: 34948.
• Worldwide discounts for
business and leisure rentals.
• Dedicated “Members Only”
toll-free reservations number
• Ongoing promotional support
• Meetings and conventions
services
• Coupon specials and other
enhancements.
• Promotional fee paid to
your organization
Express Delivery
The IIABA Airborne Express
program offers discounts when shipping letters and packages.
Airborne offers a range
of flexible, money saving services including Next Morning, Next Afternoon,
Second Day Service and International
Services. Savings increase as volume increases.
A full range of services
allows members to match shipments to their exact needs. Airborne’s benefit
include:
• Savings on every package
sent
• Dedicated, Members-Only
customer service support
• 24/7 online package tracking
• 1st shipment free for
new Airborne customers (Domestic shipment up to 2 pounds)
Airborne Express also offers
low member rates on Flight-ReadyK - prepaid overnight shipping with no
weight limits - for just $11.00 per Flight-ReadyK Letter Express® envelope.
Flight-ReadyK is a unique
way to ship overnight. With no weight limit, you ship as much as you can
safely fit in your package. Drop your shipment in an Airborne Express drop
box or call for free pickup. Since it’s prepaid, there are no invoices
to reconcile.
For more information or
to receive a starter kit, contact Airborne Express:
Airborne Express
c/o Member Sales
4601-J Eisenhower Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22304-4868
(800) MEMBERS
Fax: (888) 461-4664
Printing-
Mines Press
*You can also go online
and research these services through www.bigimarkets.com
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Member
Markets
AIIA offers a comprehensive
package of services aimed at meeting the needs of independent agents and
adding value to your membership. The following is a compilation of all
of our benefits and services exclusively for AIIA members. AIIA encourages
you to start utilizing the services available to you and start making the
most of your membership. If you have any questions or would like further
information on any of these excellent programs, please contact Alison Ray
King at (205) 326-4129.
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AgentSecure
AgentSecure.com lets your
computer do the work for you! This web-based company connects your desktop
to many top commercial carriers. With BOPs, CPPs, D & O, Bonds, and
some L&H products, AgentSecure is the place to go for commercial markets.
AgentSecure.com is a market access provider to multiple commercial lines
carriers that is marketed to small and rural agents in need of big name
commercial carriers. These carriers include CNA, The Hartford, Zurich,
The St. Paul, AIG, and Safeco. AgentSecure was established to be efficient
and easy-to-use. “The one-man shops will go through a renaissance. People
will create virtual agencies,” says Company President and Founder Ed Gillman.
“All you need is a computer, a telephone, and a headset. We have the service
center and we handle the back room; you can go out and sell. That’s what
agents like to do anyway.” Now is the time to act! Visit their website,
www.agentsecure.com to sign up today or to view the appetite guide!
< More than 600 classes
of business
< No volume commitments
< Agents own their books
< Multiple quotes on
single application
< 24/7 Customer Service
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Eagle
Agency
The Eagle Agency is a Managing
General Agency (MGA) created exclusively for IIABA members. It is a national
IIABA program that offers Travelers personal lines markets and is administered
by IIABA’s Agency Administrative Services, (AAS); to provide members easy
access to competitive personal lines insurance products. These markets
include an Automobile, Homeowners, Homeowners Condominium Policy, and Renters
Insurance Coverage. The Eagle Agency program offers 10% commissions along
with profit sharing and ownership of expirations. For more information
or to apply, call Jodie Bacote with the Eagle Agency at
(800) 221-7917.
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Flood
Insurance Program
AIIA endorses The Big I Selective Flood Program. Selective has maintained an A+ (Superior) rating with A.M. Best since 1962. With excellent claims service, a fully trained staff, high commissions and 24/7 Flood Claims Service Center, this program has three different ways to set up your agency based on your needs. Visit www.bigimarkets.com to sign up or call Linda Mackey at IIABA at (800) 221-7971 or contact Tammy Goodman with Selective at (866) 861-5978 toll free or at tammy.goodman@selective.com by email.
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Personal
Umbrella Policy
The RLI Personal Umbrella
Policy (PUP) is an unsupported umbrella policy written in a standard market.
It does not require that underlying policies be underwritten by RLI. This
personal umbrella provides $1 million, $2 million, $3 million, or $5 million
limit of liability and $500 self-insured retention coverage above and beyond
the insured’s underlying policies. There are three rating tiers, Preferred,
Standard and Standard II, which are determined by the insured’s exposures.
The RLI PUP is one of the only two national stand-alone personal umbrellas
in the standard (admitted) market. This PUP will cover operation of most
motor vehicles and small watercraft, incidents involving any premises covered
by the basic HO policy, and incidents alleging slander, libel, defamation
of character, invasions of privacy, even false arrest. The sales features
of this product are as follows: it doesn’t require underlying policies
to be underwritten by RLI, it has no volume requirements, it has a simple
self-underwriting application, and it provides coverage worldwide. This
personal umbrella is available to all IIABA members in endorsed states
as a product to offer to their clients. Contact Tangy Underwood at tunderwood@aiia.org
or call
(205) 326-4129, ext. 108.
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In-Home
Business Policy
The RLI In-Home Business
Policy (IBP) is a stand-alone policy developed for the millions of people
who operate businesses from their homes. The IBP offers more coverage than
standard homeowner endorsements with a much lower price than traditional
BOP. It provides coverage for business personal property and up to $1 million
for business general liability. Medical payments and business interruption
protection are two key fringe benefits to this niche product. There are
other optional coverages, such as money and securities and EDP that can
be added to the IBP. Over 100 classes of business are covered. The main
sales feature of this niche product is exactly that: there are very few
companies (6-8) that will provide coverage for an In-Home Business on a
stand-alone basis. This In-Home Business policy is available to all AIIA
/ IIABA members as a product to offer clients. IIABA and RLI provide members
the opportunity to offer clients an in-home business policy for more than
115 classes of business. RLI offers stand-alone convenience and general
liability coverage limits up to $5 million, premiums starting as low as
$150 and significant commission dollars (12%) on new and renewals for participating
agents. For more information, contact Tangy Underwood via email at tunderwood@aiia.org
or call (205) 326-4129.
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Premium
Finance Program
AIIA offers a premium finance
program through Siuprem, Inc. This program makes insurance more
accessible for agency customers by offering flexible down-payment schedules,
competitive rates, online quoting, online payments and excellent
customer support.
For more information, call Kitty Buchanan at (678) 498-4706 or
at kbuchanan@siuprem.com via email.
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INDEX
Member
Products
Member Products are available
for your agency to purchase through AIIA. Some of these products are available
on the open market but are offered through AIIA to members at a competitive
rate with the same and sometimes broader coverage. In addition, some of
these products are exclusively offered to AIIA
members.
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Errors
& Omissions Insurance
AIIA offers comprehensive
and affordable Errors and Omissions Insurance coverage through Westport
Insurance Corporation, Fireman's Fund, CNA and other competitive carriers. As an AIIA member, you will be eligible for competitively
priced, broad coverage E & O Insurance coverage. Policyholders have
an opportunity to qualify for loss control credit subject to each program’s
specific requirements, to attendance of an AIIA sponsored loss control
seminar and to the agent having a clear claims history. AIIA can now accept non-member business on an Open Brokerage Westport policy form. For more information,
contact Alison Ray King at (205) 326-4129.
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Commercial
Umbrella Policy
IIABA offers an umbrella
policy for an agency’s liability exposures (including E&O) through
Westport Insurance Company, a subsidiary of GE, that protects against catastrophic
loss due to business and professional liability exposures. This policy
also offers a personal umbrella sub-limit for the agency owner(s) to purchase.
For more information, call Tangy Underwood at (205) 326-4129.
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Employment
Practices Liability Insurance
IIABA offers an employment
practices program to member agencies through Rockwood administered by AIIA
that provides excellent coverage for defense, whether the action against
you is groundless, a retaliatory act, or one the court might deem justifiable.
This coverage is only available for agents with supporting business. For
more information, call AIIA at (205) 326-4129.
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Big
“I” Certs
IIABA offers the Big “I”
Certs program, powered by CertificatesNow.com, which uses the Internet
and a high-level fax system to provide rapid delivery of certificates of
insurance. Through the program, agents can empower their insureds that
generate large volumes of these documents simply to log onto the agent’s
designated web page and send needed certificates. This technology enables
agents to mass distribute certificates for their insureds at policy renewals.
This program requires no additional software purchase and is accessible
from virtually anywhere. Use of this program will free up CSRs to handles
more complex transactions, which will lead to reduced overhead.
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Caliper
Employment Profiles
The Caliper Profile and
Service Profile are personality assessment tests designed to help employers
learn more about an individual’s personality traits and occupational motivations.
By matching an individual’s personality strengths with the requirements
of a particular job, this test can help reduce costly hiring mistakes and
employee turnover.
The Caliper tests consist
of multiple-choice questions and an answer sheet. Once completed, the tests
can be faxed or mailed to Caliper. Their consultants will contact the employer
by telephone as well as provide a full written report on the results of
the test. This program is designed to assist agency principals, managers
and state association staff to hire new employees and better manage existing
staff.
The Caliper Profile:
• Designed to assist hiring
agency managers and producers
• IIABA Member Discount
Price: $180.00 each
• Nonmember price: $225.00
The Caliper Service Profile:
• Designed to assist in
hiring customer service personnel
• IIABA Member Discount
Price: $75.00 per month
• Nonmember price: $85.00
per month
Call Caliper Assessment
Inc. at (609) 924-3800 for more information. If you have questions concerning
this program, contact Big “I” Membership Services at (800) 221-7917.
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Alabama
Independent
Insurance Agents,
Inc.
141 London Parkway
Birmingham, Alabama 35211
(866) 315-8324 toll free (205) 326-4129 phone
(205) 326-3086 fax
www.aiia.org |