|
History
The PIA began in 1931 as the National Association
of Mutual Insurance Agents, a non-profit association
dedicated to serving independent insurance agents
representing mutual insurance companies in the
property and casualty field.
In those days, mutual insurance was not popular with
consumers as a way to protect a car, home or
business against potential loss. Some considered it
"communistic" and "un-American" to be involved agents
of an insurance company where
policyholders owned the company and shared the profits.
Proper ethics said you only did business with stock companies whose operations
were more closely aligned with the traditional private enterprise concept where
capital came from investors whose profits came via purchased stock.
Agents representing mutual insurance companies faced harassment and discrimination. Much of their trouble came from forces within the industry committed to the "old line" approach of doing business. Beginning in the 1950s the increased demand for insurance products caused barriers between stock and mutual to gradually disappear. Independent insurance agencies mushroomed across the country. NAMIA began expanding its line of tangible benefits and services and developed methods that appealed to small agency owners who made up the majority of NAMIA membership.
In cooperation with affiliated state and regional associations, NAMIA aggressively promoted industry education programs and added curriculum that doubled association membership to 20,000 by the start of the 1960s.
In the 1970s NAMIA enacted strategic changes that forever altered the face of insurance. By transforming from an organization focused inward to one that reached out to industry, government and the public, larger agencies began to pay attention and - more importantly - joined. A proactive NAMIA was very effective working toward what was not only best for its members but what was in the best interest of consumers.
The association's commitment to state regulation of insurance remained firm and it responded to the Federal Government's growing interest and involvement in the insurance business. NAMIA took a leadership role in formulating the industry's position on flood, crime and no-fault auto insurance. At the same time, the NAMIA was on the front lines of the battle to prohibit banks from entering the insurance agency business.
NAMIA also launched ICAP - Insurance Consumer Action Panel - and demonstrated that consumer complaints against companies and agents could be settled through third-party arbitration instead of going through time-consuming, expensive lawsuits. That experience laid the groundwork for later success creating the Consumer Insurance Interest Group (CIIG) as a vehicle for cooperative action between the industry and consumer activities.
In 1976 NAMIA changed its name to the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents and increased involvement in social issues such as pollution liability and civil justice reform. Fueled by the forward progress initiated by NAMIA in service to association members, the industry and the public, the PIA has achieved remarkable growth.
Today the PIA represents more than 180,000 owner/principals, producer agents and customer service representatives. Times have changed since the foundation of NAMIA in 1931. Growth in the insurance industry has occurred but the mission remains the same. The PIA is still dedicated to educating agency owners and staff about always evolving insurance concepts and issues.
Membership in the PIA will keep you informed about what companies are offering agents and your customers. Communication within the organization and an advancing system of education programs allow agents to assist one another in proper underwriting procedures. This has led to increased cooperation between carriers and agents.
Equally as important, the PIA maintains constant vigilance on legislative issues that impact the industry and it continues to be a watchdog to protect the American agency system.
The PIA is important to you, to your agency and to your clients.
|
