Trinidad and Tobago Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors

The Life Underwriters Association is the professional Association of life insurance salespersons in Trinidad and Tobago.

In 1970 a group of salespeople came together to form an Association. This was mainly to facilitate those salespersons who qualified for the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table and needed to be affiliated with such an organisation. Also some of the salespersons were interested in educating themselves further and found the need to enroll for the Life Underwriters Association Training Course (LUATC) and needed also to be a part of a local Association. However this effort failed and in 1975 another attempt was made to form the LUATT. This effort was successful with Mr. Anselm Alexander being elected as the first President of the Association.

The Association struggled for a number of years and a decision was taken to make the LUATT Secretariat a part of the Joint Secretariat Corporation which facilitated the Trinidad & Tobago Insurance Institute, Association of Trinidad & Tobago Insurance Companies and the Academy of Insurance. During this tenure, Mr. Donovan Palmer carried the post of Registrar for this Secretariat Corporation and worked under the leadership of Mr. John Deane – Manager of the Joint Secretariat Corporation. In March 1985, the LUATT Board made a decision to go back on their own and operate as a separate entity to the Joint Secretariat Corporation.

The Association then housed its own Secretariat at 14c Saddle Road, Maraval with a staff of four – an Office Assistant, an Accounts Clerk, a Typist and the Executive Secretary in the person of Mr. Donovan Palmer. To date the staff number remains constant and LUATT can now boast of acquiring its own building to house its Secretariat at 129 Edward Street,
Port of Spain. The LUATT Building was purchased in 1994 and the Secretariat began its operations at this address in January 1995.

In 1985 LUATT with its new vision embarked on new projects viz a viz:  The first LUATT Newsletter was published to inform members and keep them abreast of pertinent matters relative to the industry. NIHERST, UTC & LUATT came together to train underwriters to market/sell Units on behalf of the Unit Trust Corporation. Twenty four senior underwriters enrolled and were facilitated by the following moderators/ lecturers.

 Professor Compton Bourne (U.W.I.)
 Dr. Terrence Farrell
 V. James (Formerly of the Central Bank)
 A. Mark (U.W.I.)
 R. Hinds & Clarey Benn (U.T.C.)

 The Constitution of the Association was revised to incorporate Chapters. The four established Chapters being – North, South, East and Tobago. The aim and objective behind this change was to relinquish some of the burden on the National Board in looking after the affairs of all salespersons in the different areas.

This meant that each Chapter was made responsible for the salespersons in their area on a more personalised operational basis. Each Chapter was structured with their own President and Board operating under the scrutiny of the National Board.

Also in 1985 the then President – Mr. Garth Thomas and some active Board and floor members had a vision to establish a LUATT Credit Union. This idea grew and the Credit Union was formed in 1986. Inspite of yeoman efforts to keep the organisation afloat, the Credit Union had to close its doors after a ten year span.

In 1986 due to numerous complaints re. our involvement with CALU (Caribbean Association of Life Underwriters) a decision was taken by the Board, after consultation with the membership to end this relationship. This took place in 1987. However in 1995 the powers that be felt that our relationship with CALU should be re-established to foster good relations within the region. Also it was felt that this renewed relationship would redound to the benefit of our members.

Continuing on its vision for progress and improvement, the Board members felt that the managers in the Association needed more and efforts were put in train to establish an Association exclusively for managers. Through GAMA (General Agents and Managers Association) LUATT was able to establish the GAMATT (General Agents and Managers Association of Trinidad & Tobago) in 1986. Unfortunately interest in this Association waned and the Association closed its doors in 1989.

Under the guidance and efforts of Mr. Anthony Wilson-Maughn, the LUATT Board felt it wise to incorporate the Association. LUATT was no longer to be “The Life Underwriters Association of Trinidad and Tobago” but to be now known as “The Life Underwriters Association of Trinidad and Tobago Company Limited”. This came into being on November 18th, 1987.

In 1988, the Awards Committee proposed to the National Board the idea of establishing a “LUATT HALL OF FAME” to honour those stalwarts within the industry for distinguished service to the Life Underwriters Association, as well as for their contribution to the Life Insurance Industry. This was felt to be a fantastic idea and so the Hall of Fame was established with the first inductee being inducted posthumously – Mr. Cyril Duprey, former President of Colonial Life Insurance.

LUATT over the years has been invited to send representatives to Government Committees to make inputs on reform and other relative issues affecting the financial services sector. In 1997 the A.T.T.I.C. approached the LUATT Board with a view towards coming together to discuss issues and to make presentations on matters concerning the life insurance sector. This was felt to be a progressive move as together the LUATT and ATTIC would have a stronger voice when approaching the Government on such issues. To date these meetings are still being held to discuss various pertinent topics e.g. GATS & WTO.