Positive Impact on Bottom Line
IMUA can be a powerful business tool. The information available to members through its members-only website portal
can assist underwriters, claims and loss prevention professionals in making the "right" decision. Profit potential is
increased through the use of current knowledge of the marketplace. IMUA members gain a unique perspective on industry
concerns and issues generally unavailable to a stand-alone entity.
Employees of member companies can access hundreds of reports, bulletins and news articles specific to inland marine.
These readily available information sources can be valuable in making informed decisions.
Professional Growth
IMUA company-based membership offers employees of member companies the opportunity to grow professionally through
IMUA’s educational, informational and research activities. Regional and Technical Committee participation brings together
the strength of experience and diverse viewpoints that can broaden one’s understanding and advance technical competence.
Committee involvement serves to strengthen both one’s personal knowledge, and the collective voice of the industry.
The six regional committees: Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, San Francisco, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York and the New York-based
Technical Committees arrange topical seminars and produce reports that benefit inland marine underwriters that inure to the
benefit of an informed marketplace.
Advocacy
IMUA can keep one in tune with developments in the legislative and regulatory arenas, and highlight their potential implications
on a company’s business. Through IMUA’s advocacy role, member companies acquire important insights into federal and state issues that
shape the inland marine industry and possibly impact underwriting decisions.
Whether through federal government filings to the DOT or other agencies on behalf of members, amicus brief filings to courts on
problematic legal cases, or advocacy to maintain the non-filed status of inland marine at the state insurance department level; IMUA
serves as a strong industry voice.
Employee Involvement
IMUA's specialized committees provide a climate for in-depth exploration of many interrelated and non-traditional classes of inland
marine and property coverages. As an underwriting or claims professional, participation on a committee or ad hoc research assignment,
while contributing to the membership as a whole, also benefits the individual and his/her company.
Approximately 90% of the companies writing commercial inland marine coverage belong to the association.
Information Access
Whether through website access to IMUA reports, bulletins, newsroom articles, the Advantage newsletter or inquiries directed to IMUA
staff; members have a wealth of technical information available right at their workstations. Couple this with the ability to engage
in dialog with industry peers and IMUA staff, and active members can access meaningful information that will assist them in making
informed decisions.
IMUA’s website gets almost 60,000 member "hits" annually, and some 30,000 nonmember inquiries. One frequently used area is the
hyperlink to member companies from individuals interested in inland marine coverage.
Market Trends
IMUA committees and staff constantly analyze the influence of legislative or economic trends on the inland marine industry. As part
of the IMUA "team," an employee of a member company can better understand and apply the impact of emerging developments and trends
to individual situations. This information can then be transformed into opportunity decision making.
Annually, and particularly during company planning cycles, companies access IMUA’s broad knowledge of the marketplace to
assist them in their line of business planning decisions.
Partnering
IMUA brings employees of member companies into contact with other insurance professionals, associations, industry trade groups
and suppliers to facilitate the exchange of line of business specific information.
Membership expands one's network and opportunities. Illustrative examples include presentations under IMUA's banner to the
CPCU Society, American Association of Museums, Central Station Alarm Association, Underwriters Laboratories, Association of
Insurance Compliance Professionals and the NAIC to name a few.
Industry Interaction
Quite simply, knowledge is power. IMUA gives members access to the business community they insure, and gives that community access
to you.
The IMUA annual meeting is held in the second quarter at various locations throughout the United States. IMUA's six regional
committees conduct seminars that feature industry experts and continuing education credits. The interaction with industry leaders
and peers as well as knowledgeable speakers sharing a common interest level simply cannot be replicated.
Support
IMUA's staff is small and informed. Its job is to make yours as easy as possible. In an age of information overload and doing more
with less, it is nice to know there is a readily available resource for educational and technical needs.
Rather than diverting time and effort researching a particular task, IMUA staff can be a resource for finding and providing
answers to technical questions, or putting you in touch with the "right people." Time and again, IMUA staff is able to respond to
inquiries in a timely manner thus allowing for more productive use of your time.
Payoff
Annual company membership based on a company’s NWP writings is a modest investment on a number of levels - enhanced staff
professionalism, market information obtained at seminars, and networking - all have a positive impact on a company’s bottom line profit.
