The 38,000 insurance producers and service representatives licensed to do business in Alabama will have an easier way to renew their licenses starting Thursday via the Internet, Commissioner Walter A. Bell announced.
The Alabama Department of Insurance launches its online renewal program on the department’s web site on Thursday. The department’s web address is www.aldoi.gov. A link will be placed on the front page of the site to direct those who need it.
“By implementing programs that save taxpayer dollars while, at the same time, making government services more accessible, we can give the people of Alabama the state government they deserve,” Gov. Bob Riley said. “I commend Walter Bell for creating such an innovative and cost-effective program and plan to implement similar programs in agencies across state government.”
Commissioner Bell, who took the reins of the Department in January, said the program passed its final test last week.
“From an efficiency standpoint, this is a major step for the department,” Commissioner Bell said. “We’ve been working on this for months. We’ve had tests; we’ve had pop quizzes. This program is ready to go.
“This program fits well into Gov. Riley’s goal to make state government more efficient and accountable. I am pleased with the teamwork the Department has displayed in making this a reality. Our licensing, information technology and accounting divisions have worked extremely hard, and our other divisions have lent their help all along the way.”
Producers and service representatives renew their licenses in their birth months.
Jimmy Gunn, the licensing manager for the Alabama Department of Insurance, said the online renewal program, is a money saver for Alabama taxpayers.
“We’ll spend less money on paper,” Gunn said. “We’ll be able to use our employee man hours with greater efficiency, too.”
With a Visa or MasterCard, producers and service representatives will be able to renew online. A small transaction fee will be charged.
“By the time you buy a stamp, and use your paper and envelope, whatever fee incurred will be of no effect,” Commissioner Bell said. “I think this will help the industry in its attempts to increase efficiency as well.”
Commissioner Bell said he hopes to pass legislation that would allow the Department to change license renewals to biennial rather than annual. A bill to do that died in the Legislature this year.
“I don’t believe there’s any opposition to the idea,” he said. “I think we all saw a lot of bills that didn’t pass. My thinking on renewals is that if we renew our driver’s licenses for four years, why we can’t we renew producer licenses for two years? It’s something we will push again in the future.”
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