REFLECTOR: AUA Insurance

[Scott Baker]

For the longest time I have been supporting Pam Sharpe and AUA aviation 
insurance out of Greensboro, NC.  Pam was one of the few agents 'out 
there' that took an interest in insuring Velocity aircraft and worked 
diligently to secure affordable insurance for Velocity owners.  AUA was 
recently purchased by another insurance agency based in Alabama.  Soon 
after Chartis (AIG) Insurance announced a business 'divorce' from AUA.  
Chartis sent letters to all of its policy holders written by AUA to 
announce that they (Chartis) would no longer accept new or renewal 
policies from AUA. Soon after I received the letter from Chartis, Pam 
telephoned to explain AUA's position and to say that she was able to 
provide comparable coverage at a comparable premium with another 
insurance carrier.  I asked Pam to secure coverage with the comparable 
company.  Several weeks went by with no communication from AUA.  I sent 
an Email to Pam asking for confirmation to coverage.  No reply.  Two 
weeks later I send a follow up Email asking for confirmation of 
coverage.  No reply.  Two weeks later I telephoned AUA, which was 
answered by a message machine.  Called again the next day - and again 
the call was answered by a message machine.

With this background, I visited NationAir (which has a regional office 
located at Sebastian, FL).  Formally changed insurance agencies - and 
asked my new agent to renew my aircraft's insurance policy with 
Chartis.  I received word today that my policy had lapsed during my 
back-and-forth communications with AUA - and that while Chartis is happy 
to underwrite a policy for my aircraft, they consider it a 'new' policy 
due to the lapse in coverage ... which includes a higher premium for 
'new' policies.

Needless to say, I am upset that Pam Sharpe/AUA -
* Failed to follow up (at all) following a telephone request and two (2) 
Emails requesting confirmation of coverage, and that
* That they (and me) allowed the current coverage to lapse - which 
causes me to
* Pay a higher premium to insure my aircraft because of the lapse in 
coverage.

Not Good.  Sorry to see a once "good guy" insurance agency go bad.

If you have AUA as your insurance agent, please pay attention to your 
policy expiration date.  If the aircraft is insured through Chartis, be 
sure to renew through a Chartis approved agency.

Scott B.