1. Synergism. Webster's Dictionary defines Synergism: "Cooperative action of
discrete agencies such that the total effect is greater than the sum of the
two
effects taken independently." Together we can do more than we can as one! The
word almost appears designed to explain "how insurance agents can do more!".
Synergism has to be #1, #2, and #3 as the reasons for GIAA Membership. In
Georgia, there are over 50,000 P&C Agents (I think now over 70,000). In my
opinion there are over 20,000 agents that has auto insurance as their primary
source of income. If 10% of agents, that have as their primary source of
income
auto insurance, were to join GIAA, we would be larger than all the other State
Agent Associations combined. Don't forget GIAA can have members from direct
companies. Look at what is happening to Allstate agents and you can see they
need us (and we need them!). Direct writers, unfortunately, may have to
come in
as "John and Jane Doe's" but I have found direct writer agents more active
legislatively than independents. They just have to do their lobbying under
cover. Add to the agents the people that work for these agents, insured by
these agents, etc. and you have a potential force for action greater than of
any other occupation.
2. Being informed. GIAA member agents are better informed agents. The FYI:
Insurance Views & News is our official news organ. All new members are paid
their first year's dues for FYI. Unfortunately because our dues are so low
($160), dues after the first year are paid by the members direct to FYI.
SPOKES is the official newsletter of NAAA. SPOKES comes free to all members
that pays GIAA $160. Annually we have the GIAA Conference of Champions.
For years we went to Jekyll. Last year we decided to combine our conference
with the FYI: Insurance Expo. GIAA did this to help its members with the
increasing cost of doing business. Evidently members liked the combining so we
will be going back to Atlanta in August for the Expo.
3. Legislative help. GIAA's best membership years were when Commissioner Ryles
was in office. Now that times are better with Commissioner Oxendine and a
Legislature that has been receptive to our interests, many feel they no longer
need GIAA. While things are definitely better, please remember that they were
also good prior to Ryles. Think about this: "What if we had 2,000 members?" No
line of P&C insurance has more legislative issues each session (most
adverse to
agent's interest) than auto insurance. With 2,000 members we would be able to
talk to every legislator and let our views be known. Synergism!!!
4. NAAA membership. GIAA members that pay $160 a year are members of NAAA
(National Auto Agents Alliance). With NAAA we have a voice nationally.
From NAAA we learn more about what is happening in other States (an old saying
is: "all bad insurance legislation has its start in California".
On page 4 of each SPOKES issue is:
"THE NAAA ENDEAVORS TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO ITS MEMBERS BY:
A. OPPOSING unjust commission reductions, which restrict agent's ability to
properly serve consumers.
B. Promoting auto agent-friendly national and regional insurers to expand into
all standard market areas.
C. Promoting file-and-use laws to bring more competitive companies to all
states.
D. Supporting agents in getting effective insurance commissioners and state
laws not adverse to independent auto agents and consumers.
E. Alerting members on insurer or political actions that could help or hurt
agents and consumers.
F. Vigorously protecting auto/personal agent's client renewal ownership
rights.

G. Acting effectively with Insurance Departments against the few bad agents
and
companies that damage the public and reflect badly on our industry.
H. Negotiating standard form contracts that better protect agents' and
consumer
rights.
I. Providing mutual aid compacts with States for legal fees on protecting
individual agents' rights.
J. Sponsoring regional and national meetings to promote strengthening auto
agent/Company relationships and the American Agency System.
K. Providing national strength in numbers through a strong voice for auto
agents, their clients and their insurers.
L.. Recruiting agent/client activists to protect their interests and to defend
the industry from unwarranted attacks.

Dean Auten
autend@bellsouth.net

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