Doing What We Do Best
By: Mike Miley
The tornado outbreak across the South in late April was the second deadliest in U.S. history, devastating seven states and killing more than 300 people. Unfortunately, it seems like scenes of major natural disasters are becoming all too common—and no part of the country is immune. This spring saw unprecedented rain in many regions of the U.S., causing rivers and streams to overflow their banks in areas unaccustomed to flooding. This month, hurricane season begins, and once again the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting an “above-normal” storm season, with 12 to 18 named storms.
But whether it’s tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding or winter storms, there is always one constant amidst the chaos of a natural disaster: Independent agents and our association will be on the front lines, ready to assist customers and each other. It’s what we do best. And there is no better example than the response of the Alabama and Georgia associations and agents during the recent tornado outbreak to illustrate how our industry shines during difficult times.
When more than 18 tornadoes hit many cities across Alabama, leaving more than 250 dead, the Alabama Independent Insurance Agents were on the ground, assisting insureds in damaged areas. The destruction covered about one-half of the state. And while much media attention focused on the Birmingham and Tuscaloosa areas, smaller communities in the state with worst-case scenario damage faced difficulty getting needed attention and assistance. The coverage on TV and YouTube did not begin to describe the ruin of so many towns, neighborhoods and families according to Alison Ray King, director of communications & member services at the Alabama Independent Insurance Agents, Inc. One issue facing the state is that many of the local EMA services, fire departments and police stations were directly hit by the storms.
The Alabama state association office became a collection center for needed supplies, and agents made daily pickups to redistribute items to hard-hit areas. The association collected everything from water and toiletries to canned food and baby formula. The Birmingham local association gave a large check to the local Salvation Army, and the state association is focusing its efforts locally to support members who lost homes, autos and loved ones.
The Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia’s catastrophe response team headed to Ringgold and Rossville, Ga., after the storms to provide support to member agencies. Led by IIAG President Stark Harbour (The Adams-Harbour Agency/Atlanta) and CEO Aubie Knight, the volunteer team utilized the Trusted Choice® catastrophe response vehicle (CRV) loaned by the Florida Association of Insurance Agents.
With full satellite communication capabilities, its own wireless network, two conference phones, laptops and printers, the Trusted Choice® CRV provided necessary tools for Flegal Insurance in Rossville to continue serving insureds according to Christy Minardi, director of communications of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia. The agency was without electricity for more than a week.
“We are doing whatever it takes to help members restore operations and handle claims,” Knight said. “Anything from answering phones to providing a word of encouragement to residents. We are grateful to members and staff of the Florida association for providing the mobile office.”
The Georgia state association kept in close contact with members, partners and others in the industry using its mobile website, www.iiag.mobi, You Tube and Facebook during the storms’ aftermath. The mobile site contained up-to-the-minute information accessible to those who might not be able to utilize a computer, including insurance company claims phone numbers, the location of the IIAG mobile office and insurance information for consumers.
And at the national association level, the Trusted Choice® Disaster Relief Fund was established by the IIAA Educational Foundation of the Big “I” to assist those who have suffered losses due to natural or man-made disasters. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) entity and all contributions are tax deductible.
The fund makes cash grants to those in the insurance industry, including Big “I” members and their agency staffs, and others to pay for immediate or ongoing financial needs when other funding sources (such as insurance and other grants) are not available, to fill the gap until other funding sources can be accessed and to provide insurance agents with supplies and resources to assist with disaster relief efforts to aid victims and surviving family members in their communities. To make a tax-deductible contribution to the fund or to apply for a grant, go to www.independentagent.com and click on “About Us” and then “Trusted Choice® Disaster Relief Fund.”
Helping our clients and our peers during times of need is what we do as individuals, as an association and an industry. There is no time when being a Trusted Choice® independent agent is more important. And I hope that is the story we will share during the next natural disaster we face together.
—Mike Miley, Big “I” chairman
But whether it’s tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding or winter storms, there is always one constant amidst the chaos of a natural disaster: Independent agents and our association will be on the front lines, ready to assist customers and each other. It’s what we do best. And there is no better example than the response of the Alabama and Georgia associations and agents during the recent tornado outbreak to illustrate how our industry shines during difficult times.
When more than 18 tornadoes hit many cities across Alabama, leaving more than 250 dead, the Alabama Independent Insurance Agents were on the ground, assisting insureds in damaged areas. The destruction covered about one-half of the state. And while much media attention focused on the Birmingham and Tuscaloosa areas, smaller communities in the state with worst-case scenario damage faced difficulty getting needed attention and assistance. The coverage on TV and YouTube did not begin to describe the ruin of so many towns, neighborhoods and families according to Alison Ray King, director of communications & member services at the Alabama Independent Insurance Agents, Inc. One issue facing the state is that many of the local EMA services, fire departments and police stations were directly hit by the storms.
The Alabama state association office became a collection center for needed supplies, and agents made daily pickups to redistribute items to hard-hit areas. The association collected everything from water and toiletries to canned food and baby formula. The Birmingham local association gave a large check to the local Salvation Army, and the state association is focusing its efforts locally to support members who lost homes, autos and loved ones.
The Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia’s catastrophe response team headed to Ringgold and Rossville, Ga., after the storms to provide support to member agencies. Led by IIAG President Stark Harbour (The Adams-Harbour Agency/Atlanta) and CEO Aubie Knight, the volunteer team utilized the Trusted Choice® catastrophe response vehicle (CRV) loaned by the Florida Association of Insurance Agents.
With full satellite communication capabilities, its own wireless network, two conference phones, laptops and printers, the Trusted Choice® CRV provided necessary tools for Flegal Insurance in Rossville to continue serving insureds according to Christy Minardi, director of communications of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia. The agency was without electricity for more than a week.
“We are doing whatever it takes to help members restore operations and handle claims,” Knight said. “Anything from answering phones to providing a word of encouragement to residents. We are grateful to members and staff of the Florida association for providing the mobile office.”
The Georgia state association kept in close contact with members, partners and others in the industry using its mobile website, www.iiag.mobi, You Tube and Facebook during the storms’ aftermath. The mobile site contained up-to-the-minute information accessible to those who might not be able to utilize a computer, including insurance company claims phone numbers, the location of the IIAG mobile office and insurance information for consumers.
And at the national association level, the Trusted Choice® Disaster Relief Fund was established by the IIAA Educational Foundation of the Big “I” to assist those who have suffered losses due to natural or man-made disasters. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) entity and all contributions are tax deductible.
The fund makes cash grants to those in the insurance industry, including Big “I” members and their agency staffs, and others to pay for immediate or ongoing financial needs when other funding sources (such as insurance and other grants) are not available, to fill the gap until other funding sources can be accessed and to provide insurance agents with supplies and resources to assist with disaster relief efforts to aid victims and surviving family members in their communities. To make a tax-deductible contribution to the fund or to apply for a grant, go to www.independentagent.com and click on “About Us” and then “Trusted Choice® Disaster Relief Fund.”
Helping our clients and our peers during times of need is what we do as individuals, as an association and an industry. There is no time when being a Trusted Choice® independent agent is more important. And I hope that is the story we will share during the next natural disaster we face together.
—Mike Miley, Big “I” chairman
This month’s issue
The March issue is out now!
