read Read

e-mail E-mailprint Print

ABOUT NAMIC PAC

The NAMIC PAC was established as part of NAMIC's strategic business plan to mobilize the association's members for greater participation in our political involvement programs. There are legislators and regulators at both the state and federal levels who pose significant threats to the property/casualty insurance marketplace. Helping to elect lawmakers and regulators who share the values of a free market that is open to competition, promotes a positive business environment for our industry. The role of NAMIC PAC is to serve as your voice in government. It is our mission to ensure that no decision is made affecting our industry until our voice - until your voice - is heard.

NAMIC is the only national trade association protecting the interests of the mutual property/casualty insurance industry. NAMIC PAC is a non-profit political action committee. We provide our members the opportunity to pool their political contributions in support of federal and state legislative candidates whose beliefs reflect their own.

Operating independently of any political party, NAMIC PAC strives to educate Congress about our industry - through legislative analysis, professional lobbying, grassroots contacts, and long-term political relationships - to ensure that our interests are heard.

Why is your participation in NAMIC PAC so important?

Virtually every service offered by an insurance company or association is controlled, affected, or regulated by legislation. Now, more than ever, when our industry and its principles are under unprecedented pressure from well-funded interest groups to implement further restrictions on our industry, your involvement in the political process is essential.

Voting is not enough. The decisions now being made by policymakers will dramatically impact our business in the months to come. Your participation in NAMIC PAC not only affects elections, it affects the decisions made by those who are elected by reminding lawmakers that they have a powerful constituency of insurance-industry employees who are politically aware and actively involved.

The questions and answers below offer basic information on the PAC and what it means to the entire property/casualty insurance industry.

Q. What is a PAC?

A. In 1976, Congress created Political Action Committees (PACs) as a means for like-minded citizens to band together for the common purpose of making political contributions. Trial attorneys, labor unions, environmental groups and most associations have large PACs.

Q. Why does NAMIC need a PAC?

A. Increasingly, NAMIC is being impacted by the laws enacted at the local, state and federal levels. These decisions affect our profitability and even the quality of services we can offer our customers. The PAC is one way we communicate our position to key decision-makers on such vital issues as the repeal of McCarran-Ferguson and Insurance Regulation. Since the law prohibits corporations from making contributions to federal candidates, the NAMIC Board of Directors created NAMIC PAC to make our collective voice heard in the halls of Congress and across the country.

NAMIC PAC provides member companies a powerful voice and effective means to influence important elections and public policy debates in Washington, D.C. and in state capitols across the country. NAMIC PAC is a vital component of NAMIC's government affairs strategy. Trying to implement advocacy with out a strong PAC would be like trying to fix your car without a wrench.

Q. Why should I join NAMIC PAC?

A. Because virtually every service an insurance company or association offers is the result of a legislative initiative. Also, our industry is currently under attack and your participation in the PAC will help elect candidates that best support NAMIC and its member companies' corporate goals and business strategies. Combining the hard work of the NAMIC government affairs staff at the federal, state and local levels with PAC contributions provides the best positioning for NAMIC and its member companies.

Q. Why should I participate in NAMIC PAC and be politically involved?

A. The reality is that politics impact every facet of our lives - especially in the insurance industry. Insurance Companies can no longer choose to be political spectators. It is important that we all participate in the political process. The PAC will give you and your company the opportunity to join your voice with thousands of other insurance professionals across America. NAMIC PAC supports candidates who support legislation that is important to your business and is consistent with NAMIC's mission and goals: to promote a financially sound, competitive and private insurance market.

Q. Does my personal contribution to NAMIC PAC really make a difference?

A. Absolutely! Political leaders make decisions every day that have tremendous effects on the insurance industry and your business. Acting alone, your influence can be limited. But a contribution to NAMIC PAC gives you an effective way to support candidates for office who will change insurance regulations for the better and make our country a better place in which to be an insurance professional.

Q. Does my personal contribution to NAMIC PAC really make a difference?

A. The cost of running for public office has skyrocketed over the past few election cycles. PAC funds go toward many aspects of running a successful campaign, such as printing materials for flyers and handouts, purchasing advertising time and providing salaries for campaign staff.

Q. What is a Prior Approval form and does it mean NAMIC PAC will contact my employees?

A. A prior approval form is a FEC mandated form that must be signed before we can ask member companies to participate in NAMIC PAC. Simply put it is written permission from an authorized executive member of your company to grant NAMIC PAC the opportunity to seek financial contributions from your eligible employees. No! NAMIC PAC staff does not contact your employees unless you want them too. By granting NAMIC PAC authorization, a company is simply allowing us the opportunity to send PAC related materials and to opening a line of communication between you and NAMIC PAC.

Q. Are there limits to individual contributions?

A. Yes. Individual contributions to NAMIC PAC must not exceed $5,000 annually. When contributing to a given federal candidate, NAMIC PAC is limited to a $5,000 donation, per election cycle.

Q. Can I make contributions using corporate funds?

A. No. Contributions to NAMIC PAC must come from personal accounts or member-company federal PACs.

Q. Can contributors suggest candidates for support?

A. Absolutely. The NAMIC PAC Board of Trustees welcomes your suggestions and hope you'll to continue to participate in all our efforts.

powered by Google

NAMIC's Political Involvement Programs

Congressional Contact Program

Legislative Action Center

Federal Key Contact Program

Involvement in the political process is a special responsibility every American holds. If you would like to have a significant impact on legislation affecting our industry and have or would enjoy developing a relationship with a member of Congress, please consider becoming a NAMIC Key Contact.

Benjamin Franklin Public Policy Award

Every two years, NAMIC presents their coveted Benjamin Franklin Public Policy Award© to lawmakers who have supported a stronger insurance market at least 75 percent of the time. This is demonstrated based on their support of NAMIC's position on certain roll call votes taken, or being a principal player/sponsor on legislation affected the property/casualty insurance industry, during the previous Congress.