by Syndicated Insurance Resources | Apr 18, 2018
The competition independent agents face has exponentially grown with today’s technology age. Today your customers and prospects can shop for insurance policies one of two ways: online or by working with a live person.
You have to strategically do things to remain relevant and get noticed by your ideal customers. If you don’t highlight why your services are better, you run the risk of losing them to online vendors.
One of the best ways to keep customers coming to you for their insurance needs is to educate them continually about the value you bring. Find creative ways to constantly share WHY doing business with you is better than getting coverage over the Internet.
Five Advantages Agents Offer
Here’s a starter list of the many advantages businesses and individuals receive by working with an experienced insurance agents like you.
Trustworthy Relationship Building: While the advent of artificial intelligence makes computers amazingly fast and smart, they offer empathy, or evoke emotions like humans. Interacting with a living person who cares for you allows for sincere relationship building. In turn, trust and loyalty are built to create repeat customers for years to come.
Genuine Cost Savings: There is a misperception that online insurance is cheaper. In reality, the unique situation of a business or individual, as well as the type of coverage they choose, can drive the insurance costs. Working with live agents allow individuals to compare insurance policies that make the most sense to your situation while ensuring you’re not overpaying. In fact, multiple products can be bundled together to create a cost savings not found online.
Seasoned Expertise: Yes, artificial intelligence empowers machine learning. But insurance needs extend beyond mechanical calculations. You’ve invested your time training and learning the markets. With your know-how, you have a knack for anticipating your clients’ needs and making recommendations a computer could never do. As a licensed pro with 10-30 years of experience, you can offer actual advice that fits the situation.
Personable Customer Service: You provide a familiar voice and a trusted answer that is accessible on a dime. Urgent questions, distressing claims, policy changes and urgent inquiries can be addressed immediately. This is preferred over the alternative of long hold times, automated phone queues, or sifting through a computerized list of frequently asked questions.
Intuitive Analysis: Independent agents or brokers are wired to watch over customers protectively. You conduct renewal reviews that machines cannot offer. You know when there are discounts available or other options to save your customers’ money. Online systems don’t look out for your customer’s best interest while being attentive is something you take pride in doing for them.
Extend Your Value By Using Free Resources
Help your customers see the many benefits that come from doing business with you instead of faceless Internet options. Eliminate any questions or concerns by shining the light on the value you bring that simply cannot be duplicated by machines.
Extend your value by tapping into Syndicated’s free quick response system of tools that makes it easy for you to find quick quotes for hard-to-place clients and situations. Already signed up? Access our Quick Start Guide or call us so we can personally walk you through the system.
by Syndicated Insurance Resources | Apr 4, 2018
Filing an insurance claim is inevitable. The ability to do so is why people purchased the insurance policy from you in the first place.
The question is, do your customers know how to file a claim? When the time comes are they going to scramble to uncover what to do? Or can you make it easier by providing step-by-step tips that educate them on the process in advance?
The section between the lines provides a quick and easy guide you can post on your website or in your email communications with your employer clients.
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Employer Tips for Managing Workers’ Comp Claims
As a business owner, you hope you never have to rely on your workers’ comp insurance policy. But similar to a fire drill, it is important to understand what you’ll need to do when the time comes to file a workers’ comp claim.
Knowing your employer responsibilities in advance can save you time while helping to reduce liability, potential lawsuits, and potential employee repercussions.
Take time to these fundamental steps now. When the time comes to file a claim, you can easily navigate the process. You’ll also keep your business financially stable while ensuring your employee can easily recover.
Report Claims Immediately. Thoroughly fill out a “First Report of Injury” form. Failing to report your claim promptly and accurately could result in fines and penalties. Studies have shown that the longer a company waits to report an injury, the higher the damage costs. You can keep costs down by acting as soon as you learn an employee is in need of workers’ compensation benefits.
Document the Details. Create a paper trail that documents the details about the employee’s situation. Capture the who, what, when, where, why and how information. Interview the employee and any witnesses as soon as possible. It is important to capture details while it is fresh on the minds of those involved. Get signed statements. Take photos, as appropriate.
Contact Your Claims Representative. Be prepared to share the details and documentation surrounding your employee’s injury or illness. Have your employee’s contact info, wage history and claim history on hand. After you’ve provided the details, your claims representative will submit the required paperwork you shared.
Share Your Return to Work Plan. To prevent claims from escalating, share your company’s return to work plan with the employee and your claims representative. If possible, be prepared to facilitate modified work restrictions. If your employee’s responsibilities cannot accommodate modified duty, make sure all parties involved know this up front. Sharing this details from the beginning creates a clear game plan while setting expectations regarding productivity impact and overall team morale.
Keep in Touch. Out of sight, does not equal out of mind. It is critical that you consistently communicate with your employee about their status and progress. Studies have found that injured workers who feel their informational needs met also return to work faster. Let your employee know you are concerned about their recovery.
By making yourself familiar with these five steps, you can easily navigate the workers’ comp process when the time comes.
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Remember, while selling insurance policies keeps your independent insurance business going, it is only one facet of your job. To ensure repeat customers, you need to find ways to strengthen your employer client relationships. The more you can share helpful insights like this with your existing client base — the easier it is for customers to stick with you.
