a/e ProNet was established in 1988 by a group of insurance brokers specializing in professional liability insurance and risk management services for the design community. The organization has grown to 33 member firms with an estimate combined experience exceeding 650 years, who serve the design professional community in 46 major metropolitan areas.
There are four key objectives of a/e ProNet
To establish an internal information and resource sharing network that enhances member brokers services to the design professional community and their professional societies.
To provide a forum for strengthening communications with the professional liability insurance markets serving the design community.
To establish an independent source of professional liability information, risk management, loss prevention and Continuing Education services for design professionals and their professional societies.
To promote professionalism among members.
Membership
a/e ProNet was formed to bring together insurance professionals whose activities in their own market area had established them as experienced, knowledgeable and personally committed to service to the design professional community. Exceptional expertise, value added services and independence of ties with any particular insurance company have been membership watchwords from the outset.
Membership in a/e ProNet is by invitation and not by application. Only those agents and brokers that can demonstrate exceptional knowledge, service and commitment to the design community are eligible. Maintenance of the highest ethical standards is a must.
Currently, more than 16,000 design and land surveying firms are served by the members of a/e ProNet, representing a professional liability annual insurance premium volume estimated to exceed $222 Million. a/e ProNet members are committed to serving firms of all sizes and disciplines. They work with some of the largest design and surveying firms, as well as many small and medium size firms.
Client Service Profile
Specialization produces an in-depth understanding of professional practice and paves the way for the delivery of a wide range of risk management and educational services few insurance brokers can match.
Clients of a/e ProNet members find these services to be of great value. They include:
Assistance in the review and negotiation of fair and equitable professional services agreements.
Application of specialized expertise to the early resolution of disputes in design and construction and to the effective handling of claims.
Publications of newsletters aimed at strengthening firm-wide awareness of issues of risk and responsibility in professional practice.
Distribution of a/e ProNet Practice Notes
White Papers about issues of current interest written by recognized authorities of national reputation.
Assistance and advice on responding to the professional liability implications of changes in practice, new services, ownership transitions and unusual requests from clients.
In-house seminars and professional liability loss prevention workshops.
AIA and Licensing Board qualified Continuing Education Courses.
These services add value to the insurance transaction, create business relationships of confidence and trust and strengthen practice management.
Insurance Market Relations
As important as the delivery of value added client services are to a/e ProNet members, they do not represent a singular focus. Solid, long-term relationships with underwriters of professional liability insurance for design and land surveying professions are equally important. Confidence and trust are the hallmarks of effective, workable business relationships with clients and insurers alike.
a/e ProNet members approach insurance market relations with professionalism and exceptional expertise. Underwriters can expect complete and reliable underwriting information as a result. To the extent that a/e ProNet brokers are successful in communicating the value of continuity and stability to their clients, underwriters can expect that more than price will govern insurance buying decisions. To the extent that the clients of a/e ProNet members take advantage of the specialized skills and knowledge they are offered, underwriters can expect a reduction in both frequency and severity of claims.
The underwriter relationships established by a/e ProNet members create premium stability, effective claim handling procedures and effective loss prevention services for their design and land surveying clients. These relationships become critical in hard insurance markets characterized by higher premiums and less availability of coverage.
Member Services
Since its first meeting in 1988, a/e ProNet has had a significant impact on both the professional liability insurance marketplace and the professions its members' serve. a/e ProNet has sought and secured improvements in policy forms and in the claims services delivered to its clients; it has established close working relationships with the professional societies at the national, state and local levels and has become recognized as a valuable professional liability insurance and loss prevention resource for design and land surveying professionals. The following services have contributed to this success:
a/e ProNet Practice Notes, a risk management and loss prevention publication distributed by a/e ProNet through its membership and posted for free viewing on the a/e ProNet website, www.aepronet.org. This comprehensive collection of risk management and loss prevention material is considered the finest of its kind available without cost to any interested party.
a/e ProNet Premium Financing, a group premium financing program which offers superior rates and terms to clients of a/e ProNet members, irrespective of the size of the premium financed.
a/e ProNet Exchange, a coordinated communications effort designed to facilitate and promote resource and information sharing among a/e ProNet members
a/e ProNet Scholarship Fund has been established to permanently endow scholarships administered by various professional societies for design professional students whose studies emphasize practice management.
a/e ProNet Executive Director. An Executive Director position was established in 1993 to further support the goals and objectives of the organization. The Executive Director's responsibilities will accelerate the exchange of information within the membership and enhance communication and services with the insurance community, the professional societies and the design and land surveying professions.
Key Committees
a/e ProNet has established six operating committees, each of which has as its principal focus the pursuit of one or more of the major objective of the association. These committees and their principal responsibilities are as follows:
Products and Services – Association products and services developed for the benefit of Members' clients and potential clients, including but not limited to Continuing Education Course development, Practice Notes, property, casualty programs, Risk Management & Loss Prevention Manuals and a/e ProNet website.
Professional Society and Market Liaison – Communication with design industry professional societies and insurance markets, including seminars, scholarship programs and professional society fund.
Member Services – Responsibility for development and administration of internal services for Association Members including Association Newsletter, Member Handbook, professional development and meetings.
Finance - Association financial concerns, disbursements and receipts
Membership – Responsible for securing qualified applicants for Association membership.
Website Task Force – Responsible for developing material for a/e ProNet website and coordination with webmaster. The Task force incorporates web-related activities of the committees.