ACIC Ratifies Affiliation Agreement with NAII

The membership of the Association of California Insurance Companies (ACIC) agreed to formally affiliate with the National Association of Independent Insurers (NAII). Under the affiliation agreement NAII assumes administrative and operational control of ACIC.

“This relationship will benefit both NAII and ACIC and allow us to better serve the members of each organization,” said Jack Ramirez, president of NAII. “ACIC’s well-deserved reputation as a first-class advocate for its members and NAII’s expanding market share in California combine to enhance both organizations’ ability to effectively influence public policy in one of the most important insurance markets in the nation.”

All current NAII members doing business in California will become ACIC members. Other property/casualty insurers who are not NAII members also will be eligible to join ACIC. Sam Sorich has been named president of ACIC. He will continue to serve as NAII’s vice president and western regional manager. Current ACIC staff members Jeff Fuller, Janine Gibford, Jenifer McDonald, and Tami Cookman will make key contributions to ACIC and NAII advocacy efforts in California. The affiliated organizations will share offices in Sacramento.

“This new affiliation will also enhance our close-working relationship with the Personal Insurance Federation of California and the other trade groups operating in the state,” Ramirez said. “All these organizations have to look for opportunities to pool their efforts, formally and informally, because the challenges facing our industry today can only be met by working together.”

“As our business continues to expand in California, so does our stake in the state’s political, legislative, regulatory and legal process,” Sorich said. “California is a bellwether state, a trendsetter of both positive and negative laws affecting the property/casualty industry. With privacy, mold, credit use, low-cost auto programs, workers’ compensation and other critical issues looming, it is extremely important to intensify our advocacy efforts and presence in the state.”

The affiliation results in ACIC representing more than 200 property/casualty insurance companies. ACIC members now write more than 34 percent of the total insurance market in California, including more than 55 percent of the personal auto insurance, 35 percent of the homeowners insurance, and 20 percent of the business insurance written in the state.

Topics California Property Casualty