Alabama Public Automobile Insurance Agency, Inc. (APAIA) is a privately-held managing general agency and wholesale broker headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. For 70 years APAIA has been a stable and reliable business partner for independent insurance agents.
APAIA was founded in 1950 by Lee McGriff, who owned an insurance agency in Birmingham. McGriff was approached by T.J. Mims, President of Canal Insurance Company, to enlist McGriff's assistance in his efforts to get Canal admitted in Alabama. Once McGriff and Mims were successful in gaining authorization for Canal, a contract was given to McGriff from which APAIA was born! Not only was APAIA the first appointed general agent for Canal in Alabama, it remains Canal's oldest continuous appointment.
APAIA remains Canal's only resident general agent in Alabama and a trusted business partner. Although the agency has grown since its beginnings in 1950, APAIA still maintains the same recipe for success: experienced underwriters with stable markets providing exceptional service to agents for their commercial transportation accounts.
APAIA is a member of the Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA), Alabama Independent Insurance Agents Association, Birmingham Business Alliance, PIA, IAIP, BAMA, IMAA, HOBGI, BAIP and BIIA.
