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As we wish our friend and colleague farewell, we acknowledge the huge part she has played at AIM since the company’s early days. She has seen the company grow and thrive for 35 years. We are grateful for her contributions to the company and its success, her consistency, and loyalty. As she has approached retirement, she has worked to ensure a smooth transition for our policyholders’ benefit and the company’s continued success.
Wilma, we are thankful for you and wish you all the best as you enjoy and embrace this next chapter.
Read on for a special message from Wilma.
After 32 years with AIM, I will be officially retiring as of March 31, 2024. I’d like to answer the questions of what I’ve experienced as AIM has evolved in the last 30 years, and where I see the company headed.
I consider myself fortunate to have been chosen as the sole underwriter for AIM.
My experience as a senior underwriter of multiline commercial coverages with large national companies served me well. AIM was a young company when I joined. We were tasked to provide stability to the attorney insurance market. The underwriting approach was of cautious, conservative writing to maintain that stability. We did not have the advantages of sophisticated computer systems as our competitors did. We also experienced the swing cycles of aggressive marketing and pricing of the commercial carriers. At this point, I realized it was going to take determination and hard work to develop trust and reliability. One of my fears was how would I explain insurance coverages to attorneys who write insurance policies and contracts?
I traveled with the former president of AIM, and we visited local bar associations in all the counties in Alabama. We sponsored and spoke at lunches and dinners. We started sponsoring and attending Alabama and Tennessee State Bar-related events.
It was a rewarding, grassroots effort. This, along with great beach towels, developed goodwill and recognition for AIM.
Along the way, I learned the difference between a “city” attorney and a “country” attorney.
I learned about the different areas of practice by asking questions during the application process. And, in turn, they asked and learned from me about AIM’s insurance coverage.
I have enjoyed many years of conversations with our insureds. It has taught me that whether you’re an attorney or an insurance professional, we all strive to be the best that we can be.
Over the last five years, there has been a need to re-evaluate our data systems and policy coverages. AIM wants to remain competitive for its policyholders and increase the efficiency of its underwriting services. I am happy to share that AIM is ready to launch its new online customer portal, which offers our insureds confidential, secure access to a simplified and streamlined application, quote, billing and claims process. We are also revising the policy with modernized language, definitions, and supplementary coverages. Groundwork is being developed for AIM to offer additional attorney-related lines of coverage such as bonds, business owners and workers compensation coverage.
I am excited about the future of AIM and glad that I had the opportunity to help plan these developments going forward. With that being said, I pass the torch to our new Senior Underwriter, Ben Parks.
Ben has twenty years’ experience in lawyers claims-made professional liability coverage while in the state of Georgia. He is also a licensed attorney and has worked with multiple agents/brokers in the placing of coverage. He is already proving himself as an asset to AIM.
Lastly, but not least, I would like to express my gratitude and sincere thanks to the AIM board of directors for their years of support, to co-employees and to all the attorneys I have insured, met and spoken with over the years. It was my pleasure, and I know God has blessed me. Life has opened a new door to explore opportunities that I have on my bucket list. There is also an expensive fishing boat at Lake Martin I need to check out. God bless each of you!
Wilma S. Fields, CPCU, CIC
Vice President/Underwriter
March 31, 2024