really go along with that. It [AScK] does such a good
job for agents around the state who just don’t have the
[companies].”
Ryan further commented that this was not a new
complaint. He described conversations at board meetings
while AScK was in the process of
being formed. “I can remember
discussions at board meetings where
some of the board members said,
well, what are we going to do? Are
we going to be in the insurance
business?” However, Ryan explained,
“I think as time went on, the majority
of the agents went along with
enlarging AScK and getting more
companies involved. But there was
always a little push back, just like
there is now, of people who were
worried about the competitiveness
and all that. Most of that was
overcome pretty quickly when it was
brought up.”
Beyond the market access that Larson and Ryan described,
AScK has also had a significant impact on the level of
services that the association is able to provide. “I think
people saw the benefit of that,” said Larson. “And in fact,
this association is the only one I’ve ever heard of or been
involved with that actually reduced their dues at one point
in time because of the revenues from
AScK.”
Ryan further asserted, “I can’t see
why anyone who has been that
successful would have any kind of
argument about what AScK is doing
Advertisment introducing the Ray Insurance Agency.
for people who need help. That’s
what our organization is about is helping people.”
Larson also emphasized that as much
as AScK has been a major benefit
to the association, KAIA would still
exist without the agency, albeit a
little differently. “There would still
be an association without AScK. I
think that’s a fair statement,” Larson
asserted. However, he added, “They
wouldn’t have this building. They
wouldn’t have this facility we’re
sitting in, which is an incredible
facility. They wouldn’t be able to
do what they do in the Legislature.
They wouldn’t be able to offer all the
member services which they offer
now. They wouldn’t be able to have
me here to provide legal services. So,
I mean, there’s a lot of things that
you wouldn’t have.”
AScK 2.0
“To their credit,” Larson added, “I think a lot of them
recognized that it would be good for the association and
went along with it.
In January, AScK conducted a member survey in which they
asked for feedback about what kind of business members
were really having a difficult time placing. As a member
services provider for the association, AScK conducts
Where AScK has been and where it is going.
Ray Ryan (Pinkie) and
Larry Magill formed
a committee to find
county and municipal
insurance programs.
18
AACK, formed for the
purpose of handling
county/municipal
insurance programs.
AACK pursues a
medical malpractice
market.
KANSAS INSURANCE AGENT & BROKER |MAY - JUNE 2016|
AACK approached by
the Kansas Association
of Townships for a
market.
Member survey
indicates need to
commercial lines
markets and need for
continued information
on excess and surpluss
lines.