National Auto Agents Alliance

The National Auto Agents Alliance (NAAA), formed in 1995, is a trade group representing independent auto insurance agents in 19 states through Affiliate Organizations. Our affiliates are formally organized groups, which elect officers, hold meetings, have stated objectives, and are not established for profit making. Generally there is some form of dues payment as a condition of membership and a commitment to adhere to the objectives of the group and to serve the group for common good if called upon to do so. Members benefit when they pay dues and contribute time and service in hopes of advancing their personal and mutual interests for a common gain. Changes in today's society have brought about major changes in the way associations operate. Members are widely scattered and seldom together but their needs still need to be met. They need to exchange technical information and ideas in order to avoid technical obsolescence and to keep current with constantly changing regulations. Many members of the insurance industry cannot or will not easily change. Many times the concepts are evolving and have yet to be clarified, such as the credit scoring issue. NAAA has the ability to help guide its members through the minefield of changes that are constantly on the horizon. NAAA should endeavor to examine all sides of each issue and present reports on how our members can maximize the opportunities while avoiding the pitfalls. An "Agent's Choice for Excellence" (A.C.E.) analysis of agency management systems, electronic uploads, comparative raters, application processing, rating structures, credit scoring underwriting, instant MVRs, customer service and claims handling would do more to move us to a common format than any other single NAAA project. Companies that get report cards on performance have an incentive to improve, it's that simple. The power of the electronic pen and open ridicule would force changes to areas that are long overdue in the Independent Insurance Industry. In the long haul it will make the programs more profitable for the companies, agents and NAAA. Take for example; if a member has an idea for a new approach to solving problems common to all members, the cost of passing it directly to each individual member would be prohibitive for the average agent. Fortunately, with today's high-speed communications such as e-mail and fax machines, the individual elements which make up an organization can share their thoughts, beliefs, and ideas back and forth with other members. It is the communications network that holds together their community of interest and makes it possible for them to think and react as a group without coming together in the same place at the same time. It is the communications network through which mutually valued information can be disseminated and through which common goals may be achieved. It is through this medium that members can extend their individual influence and convictions to government, colleagues, other associations, and all other elements of society. It is through NAAA's Communications Network that the individual agent, almost lost in the insurance industry, can amplify his efforts and ideas into a force greater than he could ever hope to generate on his own. Our affiliates are voluntary, non-profit organizations of insurance related entities, usually represented by individual delegates. Their chief purposes are to help members enhance their economic well-being, produce and sell insurance and other services more efficiently, at lower costs, and at reasonable profits while elevating professional standards by educating members. NAAA Communications Network will work hard to help affiliates, newly forming or firmly established alike. We will supply numerous, easy-to-follow program formulas for various affiliate functions and problem areas, and promote idea exchanges between affiliates. This makes it possible for average volunteers to put on a professional-looking program the first time around. New and inexperienced affiliate volunteers who must pioneer without the benefit of such idea sharing might find the going rough. Affiliates with few members can also benefit from the successful membership drive experiences of other affiliates.