ENDORSEMENT TO EXCLUDE LOSSES
FROM VIRAL OR BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION

AAIS is filing a new mandatory "Virus or Bacteria Exclusion" under its commercial lines and farm programs designed to exclude losses from organisms that can cause ailments.

Given the possibility of an avian flu pandemic, there is concern that property policies could be subjected to claims seeking recovery for losses arising from disease-causing agents.

The exclusion will be filed under the following AAIS programs: Agricultural Output, Artisans, Businessowners, Commercial Inland Marine, Commercial Output, COP-XL, Commercial Properties, Developers Output, Farmowners, Farm Properties, and Inland Marine Guide.

Affiliates will be informed of approvals by bulletin.

AAIS PREPARING FILINGS TO ADDRESS
FLORIDA WINDSTORM MITIGATION REQUIREMENTS

AAIS is preparing filings in Florida to comply with a regulation that mandates premium discounts for implementation of specific windstorm mitigation factors.

Under the revised regulation, rate filings submitted on or after Jan. 1, 2007 for programs that provide residential property coverage must include revised windstorm mitigation factors. All insurers must submit filings by March 1, 2007.

AAIS is preparing filings under its Businessowners and Commercial Properties programs, both of which can be used to provide coverage for condominium and other residential buildings, as well as its Homeowners and Dwelling Properties programs. Affiliates will be informed by bulletin as the filings are approved.

The AAIS Mobile-Homeowners Program is not affected by the regulation, as it has separate loss mitigation discounts for manufactured housing.

FREE AAISdirect TRIAL OFFERED
THROUGH THE END OF 2006

AAIS affiliates that do not currently use the AAISdirect Internet service can sign up for a free trial through the end of 2006.

AAISdirect provides direct online access to forms, manuals, bulletins, and other information for which a company is affiliated with AAIS. The free trial also includes access to two value-added services:

• The "Risk Meter" risk mapping service, which provides geographic information related to hazards at a location; and

• The "Residential" and "Farm & Ranch Estimator" property valuation applications developed by e2Value, Inc. (Service is limited to companies with affiliations for personal and/or farm lines, respectively.)

To start your trial immediately, print and sign the trial agreement and fax it to 630-681-8356. If you have questions, contact Rick Maka, director of marketing, at rickm@AAISonline.com or by calling 800/564-AAIS.

NEW YORK REQUIRES NOTICES
OF RESIDUAL MARKET OPTIONS

The New York Insurance Department has issued new notice requirements for insurers writing homeowners coverage in the state.

In a recent order, the department states that all cancellation, non-renewal, and conditional renewal letters issued on or after November 23, 2006 must inform the recipient if coverage is available through the New York Property Insurance Underwriting Program, or through a "market assistance program"  established to facilitate placement of homeowners insurance.

LOUISIANA AMENDS FORM USED
TO SELECT OR REJECT UM/UIM COVERAGE

A bulletin from the Louisiana Department of Insurance provides an amended form for allowing an insured to select or reject coverage for bodily injury caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist.

The form can be used as of now and, as of Jan. 1, 2007, becomes the exclusive "UM/UIM" selection/rejection form to be used with all policies providing auto liability coverage in Louisiana, including umbrella policies.

AAISalert  SEEKS INPUT
ON EMERGING EXPOSURES

AAIS invites property/casualty professionals to submit their observations and concerns regarding emerging exposures through our new AAISalert web page.

The AAISalert online submission form asks users to describe new exposures they are concerned about, indicate how they address the exposure or plan to address it, and how it is likely to affect AAIS programs. One need not be a member of AAIS to participate.

Ideas generated through AAISalert may be incorporated into AAIS's program revisions, and may also become topics for the AAIS Main Event, an executive-level conference devoted to product-related issues of strategic importance to property/casualty insurance companies. The 2007 Main Event is scheduled for April 22-24 in Charleston, S.C.

For more information, contact Joseph Harrington, AAIS director of corporate communications, at joeh@AAISonline.com.

"AAIS MAIN EVENT" BOOKED FOR
APRIL 22-24 IN CHARLESTON, S.C.

The Mills House Hotel in Charleston, S.C., has been selected as the site for the "AAIS Main Event," an updated successor to AAIS's annual conference, scheduled for April 22-24, 2007.

The full name of the enhanced meeting--"The AAIS Main Event: Where insurance leaders come together to explore product issues, discuss solutions, exchange ideas"--signifies the importance of this event as a venue for AAIS customers and other insurance professionals to network with each other and share ideas.

Among other things, the program content and format will be designed to strengthen the connection between AAIS and its member companies, prospective new members, and business partners. The program will focus on product-related issues of strategic importance to company CEOs and heads of operational units. AAIS also plans to vary the format with concurrent sessions and small group discussions to provide more opportunity for exchanging ideas.

For more information, contact Joseph Harrington, director of corporate communications at joeh@AAISonline.com or by calling 800-564-AAIS.