Newsletters

We Want Your Input!

To guide the development of future AIA Trust risk management-related member benefits and resources, AIA members are invited to complete a quick survey. As the premier risk management resource for AIA members and their firms, the AIA Trust is now strategically exploring how we continue to offer AIA members valuable practice resources and member benefit…

Read More
Traveling with Your Pets

Summer is here and nothing helps to shake off winter’s icy chill like a relaxing weekend away with your favorite furry friend! Taking your pet on a trip can be an unforgettable experience. Road Travel Before hitting the road, have your dog burn off some energy with a brisk walk around the block or a…

Read More
Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

Hurricanes are unwelcome anywhere, but it’s crucial to prepare for the worst before a storm is threatening your region. Early preparedness is the best way to get peace of mind and avoid major headaches following a storm—not to mention keeping you, your family, and your property safe and secure during a hurricane. The most important…

Read More
Do You Know?

Do you know that when you design a building, you automatically own the copyright to not only your drawings and plans, but you also have a copyright to the design as well?     When you design a building, the copyright belongs to the person or persons who created the plans or design. Some project…

Read More
AIA Trust Component Grant Awards

The standard of component program funding requests submitted for the AIA Trust Component Grant Program was exceptionally high last year. The grants program is made possible by Victor and CNA, the providers of the AIA Trust Professional Liability Insurance, Business Owners, and Cyber Liability Insurance programs. Victor and CNA work with the AIA Trust to…

Read More
Tips for Launching a Successful New Practice

Architects describe the most important things they learned when beginning their firms, including where they got help. Starting your own firm is a challenge; structuring it to survive is a formidable task. If you’re considering developing your own practice, you likely have a wealth of experience and a drive toward entrepreneurship. What you’ll need to…

Read More
Term Life Insurance Solutions

Most people envision fantastic futures for themselves and their families. And whether you’re sending children to college, purchasing a new home, or starting a business, your income is the engine that turns your aspirations into reality. But what if you were to die? How would this affect your family’s plans? Life insurance has proven to…

Read More
Do you know which business type is right for you?

Do you know which business type is right for you?  States generally allow businesses to operate as sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies (LLC), and some have variations on these basic business types such as professional corporations and limited liability partnerships. Each business type serves a specific purpose, situation, or concern relating to…

Read More
Safe Driving at Night

By Katrina Brown Hunt It’s not just paranoia: Driving at night is actually more dangerous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatal accidents are three times more likely at night compared with the daytime–but here are 12 tips that could help reduce your risk. The main reason that NHTSA finds driving at night is…

Read More
Helpful Healthcare News

The Covid-19 stimulus bill or American Rescue Plan (ARP), signed into law in March 2021, contained a very important Affordable Care Act (ACA) expansion, relevant to AIA members. The ARP bill removes the income cap for federal premium subsidies for 2021 and 2022. This means that everyone is now eligible for a federal premium subsidy…

Read More
Do You Really Need Disability Insurance Coverage?

While most people like to think the odds of becoming disabled are pretty slim, the U.S. Social Security Administration (S.S.A. fact sheet here) found that a 20-year-old worker has a one-in-four chance of becoming disabled before he or she reaches retirement age. Given this statistic—and the potential impact a long-term disability could have—working adults need…

Read More
Financial Planning for Women Architects

All architects share the need for proper financial and retirement saving planning. For women architects, creating a sound financial and retirement plan is even more essential since issues like increased life expectancy, unforeseen changes in family structure, caring for aging parents, and the likelihood of outliving your spouse all present significant challenges for many female…

Read More
Call LegaLine

Small firms and sole proprietors with many questions but limited resources often wish for a convenient and cost-effective way to get the risk management assistance that they need to make important decisions. LegaLine is an AIA Trust member benefit service, formerly known as Practice Coach, that offers members access to qualified professionals who can help…

Read More
Navigating Risk in Digital Practice

Two AIA Trust reports about digital practice risks have recently been updated. The 2021 Guide to Cyber Liability Coverage by independent insurance expert, Insurance Buyers’ Council, Inc., will help you understand what you need to know about cyber liability coverage for your firm. The 2021 update of BIM Me Up, Scotty–Navigating Risk in Digital Practice,…

Read More
How Do You Plan to Retire?

As an architect, you know that starting with a comprehensive plan and building a good foundation is essential for success. You would never begin a project without a blueprint and process in place–but that’s exactly what many architects do when it comes to retirement planning. Many architects don’t know where to begin their retirement planning.…

Read More
Five Financial Tips for Single Parents

There are few experiences in life that are as traumatic as losing a spouse. When life is upended through a divorce or the passing of your partner, it can be highly emotional—and it also presents serious financial challenges. Seeking financial help for single parents is a first step in this new phase of life. As…

Read More
Saving for Retirement and College

You want to retire comfortably when the time comes. You also want to help your child go to college. How do you juggle the two? Saving for your retirement and your child’s education at the same time can be a challenge–but you may be able to reach both goals if you make some smart choices…

Read More
New Health Plan Options for AIA Members

The AIA Trust has just formed a unique partnership with Pendella: a 50-state virtual insurance agency designed to support business owners and their employees with all their individual and employee benefits needs–including health insurance. With over 50 years of combined experience in insurance, human resources, and benefits administration technology, the Pendella team, complete with licensed…

Read More
Architecture Firm Ownership Transitions

By Ed Hord, FAIA, 2014 Chair, AIA Trust & Ann Casso, Hon. AIA, Executive Director, AIA Trust The slowly improving economy has led to an increasing pace of mergers and acquisitions among architecture firms. In addition, ‘baby boomer’ firm owners now considering retirement also fuel various ownership transitions. Privately owned architecture firms in today’s consolidating,…

Read More
New Policy Expands Definition of Insured

For more than 60 years, the Victor and CNA professional liability program has maintained a solid and stable base policy while introducing innovative expansions of coverage. Just as the design and construction industry has evolved, so has their policy. The CNA policy has now expanded the definition of the term insured in a significant way…

Read More