By CATHY DYSON

Bill Cundiff volunteers his time in developing countries, not to treat the sick or build houses and schools but to tell people everything they need to know about insurance.

The 65-year-old Spotsylvania County man teaches government officials about insurance principles and practices, and helps them set up their own training centers. In the past two years he has made three trips to Albania and Cambodia.

Having an insurance policy may seem irrelevant in a land where people are struggling to survive. But as nations develop, insurance becomes "an incredibly important piece of the economy," said Joe Hudgins, a Richmond resident with the Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia.

"In order for companies to attract industry, there has to be an insurance market," Hudgins said. "Businessmen won't take a chance if that infrastructure's not there."

And Cundiff is just the person to help build the foundation, said Hudgins, who has known his fellow agent since the 1970s.

"He just has a real passion for people doing the right thing when it comes to the insurance industry," Hudgins said. "You can see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice."

'SIMPLY EXCELLENT'

Forty years ago, Cundiff began his career in the Fredericksburg area as a retail agent. Starting in 1972, he worked downtown in the old Sears building as an Allstate representative.

Later he ran his own agency, then focused his business on training other agents in the mid-1990s, when new laws required insurers to have continuing education.

He and his wife, Gloria, run the University of Insurance, which he calls a boutique training and consulting company.

He said his "saving grace," in terms of grasping the technology available, is his grandson, Bill Cundiff IV. He's 26 and a graphics designer who also works for the company.

These days, the elder Cundiff deals more with agencies than individuals. He does a lot of work through the Internet and conducts Web-based seminars. He also travels to London twice a year for training sessions.

A few years ago he joined the Financial Services Volunteer Corps, a nonprofit dedicated to helping developing countries build sound financial systems.

When a trip to Albania was mentioned, he asked about the cost and was delighted to learn that all his expenses would be covered. He merely needed to give of his time.