As one of its charter members, Automotive Risk Management & Insurance Services (ARM) has found that the Target Markets Program Administrators Association (TMPAA) is an extremely valuable forum for combining all of the elements required for successful program operations by bringing them together with other program managers, carriers, and vendors who have a direct mutual interest in program operations.

The core business at ARM, according to Marvin McDougal, president and chief operating officer, is devoted to providing a stable P-C market for the automobile, RV, and heavy truck dealer industry—on a nationwide scope—with specialty carriers who are all rated “A-” or better by A.M. Best.

ARM has programs available for most other garage-type risks, such as dealers involved in selling and servicing used cars and trucks, truck tractors, and RVs, as well as other operations related to repairing, servicing, towing, salvaging, and valet parking. Additional markets are available for many other types of small businesses. Facilities have been added recently to provide information security and privacy coverage to all types and sizes of businesses and institutions. ARM also has an active excess & surplus lines operation, and does extensive work in the area of loss prevention and control. ARM policyholders are provided with access to needed safety information via ARM’s Web-based facility, www.armsafety.com.

Through its affiliated company, dbCache, ARM has developed a management information system geared specifically to the needs of program management operations, including all phases of underwriting, claims, statistical and accounting, risk analysis, and regulatory compliance. This system is designed to satisfy all requirements of the carriers involved, without need for any duplication. It can be licensed to other interested parties, and can be customized to their specifications. Unique to this system is the ability to accommodate variable monthly reporting form policies as well as other payment options. A version of the system is available to retail insurance agencies on a cost effective basis.

Automotive Risk Management & Insurance Services, headquartered in Stockton, California, is owned by McDougal and Don Marlette, chairman and CEO. McDougal started his career with Universal Underwriters in 1962 and has been involved in the dealer business ever since. Marlette has been active in handling this line of business since the mid-1950s. ARM is the successor to other similar operations jointly formed and operated by McDougal and Marlette since 1980.

Most key staff members have been associated with ARM’s operations since the company’s inception: Cathy Whitby, senior vice president of underwriting; John Krivacsy, president of Meridian Claims Service, an ARM-affiliated company; Jerry Rogers, excess & surplus lines; Maria McDougal, executive vice president of underwriting and production; Wayne Whitby, treasurer; and Vasco David, chief information officer.

Target Markets continues to function as a prime resource to ARM operations, not only in bringing together all elements necessary to program management operations, but also by providing the opportunity to communicate with other association members—agents and brokers, carriers, vendors—and other insurance industry producers who have a keen interest in the program business. McDougal says, “We at ARM are very proud and happy to be charter members of Target Markets. Target Markets continues to be our most valuable association membership.

“Ever since ARM’s founding, we have prided ourselves on being serious underwriters. Active membership in the Target Markets Program Administrators Association has helped us to continue developing our skills and expertise.”