The Risk Management & Insurance (RMI) program in the Belk College of Business co-hosted an automobile insurance symposium at UNC Charlotte March 23. More than 150 people attended, including students, faculty and staff from UNC Charlotte and co-host Appalachian State University, as well as many industry professionals.
“Automobile insurance is the largest property and casualty line of business based on premiums written and represents a critical component of an insurance company’s overall profitability,” said Prof. Tom Marshall, a former insurance executive who now serves as a lecturer and advisor to RMI students at UNC Charlotte. “The insurance industry, automobile manufacturers and members of the public share a common interest in the pricing and regulation of automobile insurance, vehicle design and crash resistance, teen driver training and detection and prevention of vehicle theft and claims fraud.”
Funding for the symposium was provided by Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina, State Farm, Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, GEICO, Erie Insurance, Liberty Mutual, NAMIC, AAA Insurance, AMICA Mutual Insurance, Auto-Owners Insurance, Travelers and Universal Insurance Company. Sponsor funds in excess of expenses will be used to support RMI student activities at UNC Charlotte and Appalachian State. The RMI programs at both universities rank in the top ten in the United States and Canada, based on enrollment.
Symposium speakers included:
- Dr. Bob Hartwig, Insurance Information Institute
- Stuart Powell, Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina
- Kim Hazelbaker, Highway Loss Data Institute
- Doug Darrell, StreetSafe Teen Driver Safety
- Rusty Russell, National Insurance Crime Bureau
- Wayne Goodwin, N.C. Commissioner of Insurance
- Rep. Fred Steen, II, NC House of Representatives and a Belk College alumnus
- Chris Ziance, Progressive Insurance
- UNC Charlotte student Ben Huffman
- Appalachian State student Ryne Herring.
“I applaud North Carolina’s universities for their efforts to educate students, members of the insurance industry and the greater public about important insurance issues,” said Commissioner Goodwin. “I believe we’re doing a great job of preparing the next generation of insurance leaders in North Carolina.”
Officials from UNC Charlotte and Appalachian State consider the symposium a great success. “As a result of the strong support from the insurance industry and the excellent networking and learning opportunity for the students, we are making plans to host another insurance industry symposium at UNC Charlotte within the next 12 to 24 months,” Marshall said.