Wheaton, Illinois, Sept. 20, 2006--Insurers affiliated with the American Association of Insurance Services (AAIS) can now have regular access to the "Risk Meter" online risk mapping service through AAISdirect, AAIS's web-based portal for insurance information.

AAIS is a national advisory organization that develops policy forms and rating information used by more than 600 property/casualty companies throughout the U.S. Its AAISdirect service provides online access to AAIS's forms, manuals, bulletins, and other materials, plus access to complementary risk information services developed by other organizations.

Risk Meter, a service of CDS Business Mapping, Boston, Mass., provides online access to more than 30 categories of geographic information related to hazards at a location. The information provided specifies a location's distance from coastlines, fault lines, and flood zones, as well as its exposure to hail, tornadoes, wildfires, crime, and other hazards.

"Risk Meter automates the information gathering process," says James Munson, director of consulting services for CDS Business Mapping. "What used to take several minutes, if not longer, can be gathered in seconds."

Of particular importance to companies that use AAIS programs is Risk Meter's information on the distance from an insured location to the nearest fire station. That distance is a determining factor in the application of AAIS's simplified fire protection definitions ("protected," "partially protected," and "unprotected"). Having the distance available automatically through Risk Meter saves time and improves accuracy.

Access to Risk Meter is now available for no additional charge to all insurers that use AAISdirect, no matter which AAIS program(s) they use.

"We are excited to be working with AAIS and its member companies," Munson says. "The value provided with this service will help companies maintain underwriting discipline without substantial changes to their own underwriting processes."

AAIS is committed to making AAISdirect an indispensable tool that combines AAIS program information with a growing number of complementary services, says Paul Baiocchi, AAIS president.

"To date, we have incorporated access to property valuation and risk mapping services into AAISdirect," says Baiocchi, "and we continue to explore new alliances to provide new services to AAISdirect users."

For information on affiliating with AAIS for use of any of its insurance line programs, or to sign up for AAISdirect service, contact Rick Maka, director of marketing, at rickm@AAISonline.com or by calling 800/564-AAIS.