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President’s message By Randolph A. Rudowicz, The Motorists Insurance Group
Despite the challenges facing our membership, there is considerable good news for our industry in Ohio thanks to your involvement with and support of OAMIC.
First and foremost, we make a difference every day in the lives of our policyholders. We help people recover from difficult circumstances and make it possible for them to rebuild their lives and restore homes and businesses.
Your strong leadership ensures that our association continues to play a vital role in telling an important story to legislators and regulators in Ohio and Washington, D.C. The issue of federal regulation encroachment, responding to problems not found in our operating areas, and other regulatory and legal matters are ongoing concerns that are receiving considerable attention from OAMIC.
I am pleased to report that, working in concert with our colleagues at NAMIC, we are making progress at the legislative level. In the state regulatory arena, Mary Jo Hudson is off to a good start leading the Ohio Department of Insurance. Her availability, open-mindedness and experience are appreciated.
The silver lining of the current insurance market is that we can use these “soft market” pressures to improve operations in ways that benefit our policyholders. As we push ourselves to go that extra step to further improve customer service, we will see tangible results. People remember and report good service.
All of our companies have weathered difficult market conditions in the past, and I know that we will be prudent in our response and avoid the pitfalls that accompany every soft market cycle.
OAMIC’s continuing education efforts for agents and mutual company personnel add another positive dimension to our support of the insurance industry in the state. I have been very impressed with the caliber of the members attending our conferences, training sessions and congressional visits.
All of this could not happen without your participation and your willingness to send the best people to attend and help with our events and activities.
Thank you for your support.
Walk up the hill—2007 By Dave Tschantz, Wayne Mutual Insurance Co.
A group of representatives from OAMIC member companies visited members of the Ohio congressional delegation in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, May 1. Attending this year were Tod Carmony and Dave Tschantz, Wayne Mutual; Don Bender, Auto-Owners Mutual; LaVawn Coleman, Grange Mutual; Phil Menzel, German Mutual; Gerald Kreinbrink, Farmers Mutual Relief Association; Art Schnipke, Farmers Mutual Aid Association; Jim Kennedy and Ned Ellis, Ohio Mutual; Dan Sondles, Westfield Companies; Alan Smith, Ohio Casualty; and John Bishop and Randy Rudowicz, Motorists Mutual.
Attendees were quartered once again in The Hotel George, a very comfortable hotel located near the Capitol, and briefed in the early evening on Monday, April 30, on current federal issues of interest to OAMIC and NAMIC. This briefing took place at the Capitol Hill Club near the Capitol building. Also joining this meeting was Representative John Boehner, the House Republican Leader, who took the time to personally greet each delegate. Representative Boehner was awarded a "Benny" (a statue of Benjamin Franklin given in appreciation of support for NAMIC on insurance issues) by John Bishop, chairman, president and CEO of Motorists Mutual Insurance Co.
The briefing was followed by a sumptuous dinner at Bistro Bis, a restaurant located in The Hotel George specializing in French cuisine.
The following day, OAMIC members were joined by NAMIC staff and visited the offices of Senators George Voinovich and Sherrod Brown, and those of various members of the Ohio congressional delegation. In many cases the meetings were held with staff members; however, in some cases the delegation was able to personally meet with their Congressional representatives. In all cases, the OAMIC delegation felt the meetings were productive and worthwhile. With a number of new faces on Capitol Hill, the delegation made the most of the opportunity to educate and inform new staffers.
There also was time for lunch at the Capitol Hill Club and House Cafeteria and visits to shops in the Capitol Building.
Those that went would like to invite and encourage YOU to attend next year and add your company’s voice to the political process!
OAMIC sponsorship of AAIS forms well received By Ned Ellis, Ohio Mutual Insurance Group
The OAMIC sponsorship of AAIS forms for Ohio’s assessment mutuals continues to be well received by OAMIC members.
Over the past year additional companies have completed the documentation to gain access to AAIS forms and information through AAISDirect for homeowners, farmowners, dwelling properties, farm properties, and personal inland marine product lines.
The increase in subscribing companies continues to lower the costs to the individual subscribers since the total AAIS service charge is shared among the subscribing companies, based on the size of their written premiums.
If you have any questions about the process for an Ohio assessment mutual company to gain access to AAIS forms and endorsements please contact Ned Ellis at Ohio Mutual Insurance Group (419) 563-0840 or Jon Younker at Woodville Mutual (419) 849-2521 for an explanation of this program sponsored by OAMIC.
Additional correspondence will be going out to Ohio assessment mutuals in early summer to update the status of the program.
Politics is no longer a spectator sport By John Bishop, Motorists Mutual Insurance Co.
In January, I became chairman of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies’ Political Action Committee (NAMIC PAC). In this new role I have quickly realized the importance of increased political activism and mobilization of our industry. Too much is at stake for anyone in our industry to simply be a spectator; everyone must get involved. Our industry is under intense scrutiny, perhaps more so than at any other time in recent history. Decisions made in the U.S. Capitol and state legislatures can have a tremendous impact on the success of our business, our policyholders and, ultimately, our jobs.
The property/casualty insurance industry has come under attack by some members of the 110th Congress. Legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate would repeal or alter the existing limited antitrust exemptions afforded under the McCarran-Ferguson Act. The proposals, co-sponsored by Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Senator Arlen Specter, R-Pa. and Senator Trent Lott, R-Miss., would threaten data-sharing activities that have increased competition and would create a cumbersome and unpredictable dual system of state and federal insurance regulation.
In addition to this threat on McCarran-Ferguson, efforts to reform insurance regulation at the state level and repel attempts to impose federal authority are underway. NAMIC is the leading voice among trade associations in strong opposition to onerous and redundant FTC regulation in the property/casualty insurance industry. We also are the only trade association that has made the small company tax issue a top priority.
Our industry must respond by becoming more politically active. Everyone who works in insurance must become an advocate for free markets, less regulation and less litigation. You can do this by volunteering to support local or federal candidates who support these ideals and/or by contributing to their election campaigns. Another option is to join NAMIC’s Congressional Contact Program – a unique NAMIC grassroots effort that provides you an opportunity to join with your peers and visit your federal lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
In my role as NAMIC PAC Chairman, I have truly begun to appreciate that it is far easier to elect officials that share our philosophy of open competition and free markets than to change the mind of an elected official who favors more regulation and higher taxes.
If you would like to learn more about any of NAMIC’s political programs, please do not hesitate to contact me at (614) 225-8446. Remember, our voice is stronger when we stand together as an industry to oppose harmful legislation that will adversely affect our bottom line.
* John Bishop is the chairman, president and CEO of Motorists Mutual Insurance Company and Chairman of NAMIC PAC
OAMIC members speak out
Thanks go out to the 60 plus respondents to the OAMIC recent membership survey with regard to OAMIC activities. This survey was conducted at the direction of your OAMIC board, in an attempt to ensure that OAMIC activities are still “on target” with the goals of the membership.
The first question asked about the timing of the OAMIC convention. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (65 percent) said they prefer to leave it as is – in February. One-sixth of those surveyed (18 percent) said they would prefer it be held in conjunction with the OAMIC Golf Classic, in June each year. Seven respondents (11 percent) indicated they would prefer the convention be held in the fall.
The second question was with regard to the location of the annual convention. Nearly 82 percent said they preferred to leave it as is – in Columbus each year. Seven respondents (11 percent) said they would like to move it to various locations around Ohio. Four (6 percent) said it made no difference to them.
The third question asked about the importance of offering CE credit during the convention. Eight percent of those surveyed said it was very important; 41 percent said it was important; 18 percent said it was somewhat important and 28 percent said it was not important. Thirteen percent said it was not applicable to them, since they weren’t agents.
The final survey question asked respondents to rank the following services:
Annual convention:
- 63 percent said very important
- 31 percent said important
- 2 percent said not important
| Congressional visits:
- 36 percent said very important
- 35 percent said important
- 13 percent said somewhat important
- 3 percent said not important
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Golf classic:
- 10 percent said very important
- 23 percent said important
- 38 percent said somewhat important
- 18 percent said not important
| Fall seminar:
- 23 percent said very important
- 40 percent said important
- 16 percent said somewhat important
- 6 percent said not important
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AAIS forms agreement:
- 23 percent said very important
- 28 percent said important
- 10 percent said somewhat important
- 15 percent said not important
| OAMIC newsletter:
- 23 percent very important
- 46 percent said important
- 18 percent said somewhat important
- 2 percent said not important
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OAMIC Web site:
- 26 percent said very important
- 41 percent said important
- 20 percent said somewhat important
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2008 convention plans underway
Speakers are being lined up and plans are underway for the 2008 OAMIC convention. Mark your calendars to include the 129th OAMIC Annual Convention, scheduled for Feb. 20-21, 2008, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Worthington, Ohio.
The DoubleTree is the former Holiday Inn Worthington, where the 2006 and 2007 OAMIC conventions were held. The renovations are about completed and the property has a new, contemporary feel. And what could be bad about a warm, chocolate chip cookie at check-in?!
Fall seminar set for Oct. 25
The 6th annual OAMIC/OII/Bricker & Eckler Fall Seminar is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007, at the Villa Milano in Columbus.
The seminar will be filed for agent CE and attorney CLE credit. Topics and speakers include the following:
- Spoliation of Evidence in Insurance Subrogation Cases – Moderator Dave Tschantz, Wayne Mutual, will guide panelists Mark Chilson, Bricker & Eckler; Ken Bargo, State Farm; and Kenneth Crawford, Ohio Arson Bureau; as they discuss the proper collection and preservation of evidence methods needed for a successful subrogation program.
- E-Discovery Relating to Class Action Litigation – Alan Ross, Bricker & Eckler, provides information we all need to know regarding e-discovery in class action cases.
- The “Top 10” consumer complaints and how to reduce them – Mike Motil, Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI), along with other ODI staffers complete this panel segment detailing ODI’s stance on market conduct exams.
- Bricker & Eckler staffers Miranda Motter and Anne Marie Sferra will provide attendees with a timely update on issues impacting the insurance industry.
Be sure to mark your calendars now for Oct. 25. Registration materials will be distributed in mid-July.
Welcome new OAMIC members!
The membership of OAMIC welcomes nine new members to its ranks:
Affinity Mutual Insurance Company
Arch Re Fac
Benfield
Celina Insurance Group
Custard Insurance Adjusters
German Farmers Mutual Insurance Company
Putnam County Farmers Mutual Insurance Co.
Richmond Farmers Mutual Insurance Company
Transatlantic Reinsurance Company
We hope to see you at all of our upcoming activities!
About OAMIC…
Purpose:
- To bring together its members in a mutual concept
- To develop and maintain cooperation among its members, other insurance associations and organizations
- To take an active role in the education of its members and the insuring public for which the membership serves
- To work in all matters that are beneficial to the membership of this association
Membership:
Insurance companies incorporated under the laws of the state of Ohio are eligible for full membership in the association.
Insurance companies not incorporated under the laws of the state of Ohio, industry-related insurers, service organizations, corporations or other associations are eligible for associate membership in the association.
2007 Officers/Directors
President
Randy Rudowicz, The Motorists Insurance Cos.
President-Elect
Dave Tschantz, Wayne Mutual Insurance Co.
Vice President
LaVawn Coleman, Grange Mutual Insurance Co.
Secretary/Treasurer
James R. Silver, Pike Mutual Insurance Co.
Past President
Blaine E. Budd, Washington Mutual Insurance Assn.
Board Members
Blaine E. Budd, Washington Mutual Insurance Assn.
LaVawn Coleman, Grange Mutual Insurance Co.
Ned Ellis, Ohio Mutual Insurance Group
Mary Jane Rodgers, Perry County Mutual Fire Co.
Randy Rudowicz, The Motorists Insurance Cos.
James R. Silver, Pike Mutual Insurance Co.
William R. Stapleton, Celina Mutual Insurance Group
Dave Tschantz, Wayne Mutual Insurance Co.
Jonathon Younker, Woodville Mutual Insurance Co.
Mark Zook, Mennonite Mutual Insurance Co.
Administrative Staff
Daniel J. Kelso, OII President (dank@ohioinsurance.org)
Kathleen B. Strawn, OII Director, Member Services (kathys@ohioinsurance.org)
Mitchell A. Wilson, OII Vice President Public Information & Education (mitchw@ohioinsurance.org)
Calendar of Events
Oct. 25, 2007 | OAMIC/OII/B&E Fall Seminar | Villa Milano | Columbus, Ohio |
Feb. 20-21, 2008 | OAMIC 129th Annual Convention | DoubleTree Hotel | Columbus, Ohio |
Spring 2008 | Washington Congressional Visit | | Washington, D.C |
June 11, 2008 | OAMIC Annual Golf Classic | Wooster Country Club | Wooster, Ohio |
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