Armed Forces Insurance
Armed Forces Insurance (AFI) provides property and casualty insurance to military professionals throughout the United States and overseas. AFI is headquartered in Leavenworth, Kansas, approximately 20 miles northwest of Kansas City, Missouri.
Membership eligibility
Those eligible for membership with Armed Forces Insurance include all ACTIVE duty, retired and former uniformed services (the armed services, the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) members; current or retired Department Of Defense civilian employees; as well as spouses, widows and children of current or former AFI members. AFI employees with at least one year of service may purchase AFI coverage at preferred rates.
AbOUT AFI
AFI product offerings include automobile insurance; homeowner’s, condominium and renter’s insurance; specialty and highly-valued personal property insurance (motorcycle, personal watercraft, classic car, valuables, etc.); flood insurance; liability insurance; and umbrella insurance. All AFI members also receive free identity theft resolution and identity document recovery services in the event of a disaster provided by IDTheft911 (www.afi.org/member/idtheft). In addition, AFI members have access to life insurance, investments and banking products specifically designed to meet the military's needs through an alliance with Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA). AFI members who request life insurance are referred to an AFBA customer service representative.
At present, AFI has nearly 75,000 policyholders. As a member-owned, not-for-profit association, AFI is governed by a Subscribers' Advisory Committee composed of active duty, reserve and retired military members that represent members’ insurance needs. The Board of Directors of the Attorney-in-Fact manage the business aspect of Armed Forces Insurance operations. All members retain voting rights and receive a proxy ballot in support of the annual meeting. Underwriting and investment gains are returned to members as dividends after a provision is made for contingencies such as large fires or hurricanes. A professional staff manages daily operations in accordance with the operational policies and procedures approved by the Board.
Armed Forces Insurance is a reciprocal interinsurance exchange, providing a means to diversify risk for AFI members by transferring their personal risk to other subscribers who agree, jointly and severally, to be obligated to indemnify any covered loss during the term of the policy.
History
Armed Forces Insurance began on a frontier army post in 1887, when the Army Cooperative Fire Association was founded at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Thirty-eight officers of the garrison gathered to form this organization to provide low-cost fire insurance protection for their personal property tailored to the particular needs of regular army officers. They pledged their support to the Association (which later became Armed Forces Co-operative Insuring Association, and now Armed Forces Insurance Exchange).
Through the years, the organization evolved to include other types of insurance products for military members. Currently, both personal property and dwellings are protected against loss due to a number of perils. Personal liability insurance also is available, and personal automobile coverage is offered in a limited area.
In 1982, an affiliate organization, Armed Forces Insurance Exchange, was formed to operate as a licensed entity as states increasingly required insuring organizations to be licensed. On July 1, 1992, remaining Association assets and liabilities were transferred to the Exchange, and the merger between Armed Forces Insurance Cooperative and Armed Forces Insurance Exchange was complete. The formation of the Armed Forces Insurance Agency in 1999 allowed the company to partner with other insurers to offer a broader range of products and services to policyholders.
Corporate affiliations
AFI is a member of The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC), a trade association for property/casualty insurance companies, and Property Casualty Insurers Association of America; a trade association that represents Armed Forces Insurance and other insurance companies before state and federal lawmakers. As a NAMIC member, AFI has national legislative representation and greater access to resources. AFI also is a corporate member of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), a private, nonprofit organization that supports the Army—active duty, National Guard, Reserve, civilians, retirees and family members.
AFI leadership
2009 Board of directors:
Chairman Thomas A. Dials, Col, USA (Ret); Vice Chairman Jack E. Walker; SAC Chairman Myron J. Griswold, COL USA (Ret); SAC Vice Chairman Paul D. VanGorden, COL USAF (Ret); Norman B. Dawson; Robert E. Doran III; Don Giles; David A. Greenamyre; Paul Heacock; Thomas M. Fogt.
2009 Subscribers’ advisory committee: This committee is made up of subscribers who oversee the operations of the Attorney-in-Fact to ensure conformity with the subscriber's agreement and power of attorney for the benefit of all subscribers. The duties and responsibilities of the Subscribers' Advisory Committee (SAC) are to supervise the Attorney-in-Fact's operations; serve as trustees of Subscribers' stock; supervise the finances of AFI; and advise in the selection of accountants for annual statements. 2009 Subscribers’ advisory committee members include: Chairman Myron J. Griswold, COL USA (Ret); Vice Chairman Paul D. VanGorden, COL USAF (Ret); Thomas A. Dials, COL, USA (Ret); Dean B. Gilbert, LtCol, USAF (Ret); Michael S. Jones, LtCol, USMC (Ret); Michael L. Parker, COL, USA (Ret); Joyce P. DiMarco COL USA (Ret); Edward "Lee" Duggs, Lt, USCG (Ret); Norman D. Greczyn, COL, USA (Ret).
2009 Senior management:
Kurt H. Seelbach, CPA, CPCU, president & chief operating officer; Carroll D. Haverkamp, CPA, controller & treasurer; William I. James, CPCU, FLMI, vice president of operations; Joyce M. Jordan, CPCU, vice president of underwriting; Gary L. Maulfair, CPCU, vice president of claims; Ardith G. Bequette, CPCU, AIM, ARP, AIAF, vice president of administration & corporate secretary; Drew M. Mazeitis, chief information officer & vice president of technology.
Independent ratings
A.M. Best, an independent company that evaluates an insurance company's balance sheet strength, performance and business profile, has issued AFI’s current rating as A- (Excellent).
Sponsorships and philanthropy
AFI is a sponsor of the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, held at Texas Christian University’s Amon Carter Stadium in Ft. Worth, Texas, on New Year’s Eve. The company also serves as a title partner for the Armed Forces Adventure Area at the Bowl, as well as the Great American Patriot Award, presented to a military luminary at the Bowl game each year. The recipient for 2008 was Gen. David Petraeus. AFI is a major contributor to the United Way through various company-sponsored events and activities, including an annual sports celebrity golf tournament. The company also contributes to give2thetroops.org, an America Supports You charity.