Whether or not you like, know, or even understand digital insurance services, it’s clear independent agencies need to embrace them. A recent CB Insights look at tech in insurance showed insurance technology startups raised $1.7 billion in 2016. That’s no small potatoes.
Such high investment in companies producing digital insurance tools signals a need for insurers to keep up or get left behind. But, it can be hard to tell which digital tools are worth the investment. We put together a quick list of some top tools to keep your agency in the game.
Mobile Access
Mobile access to your agency website and management system benefit both customers and employees alike. Agents can use mobile to look up and update prospect and customer info on the road. Customers use mobile to make claims onsite and look up their policy information 24/7.
Read more on why mobile is one of the top digital insurance tools
Client Portals
Similar to mobile, client portals give customers greater access to their personal and policy information and make it easier for agencies to process customer requests. Client portals exist on your website and feed into your agency management system, capturing customer information instantly.
Comparative Raters
This online tool quickly compares carrier rates, helping you give your customers the best price, fast. Many raters integrate with management systems, making them even easier to use.
Get more info on comparative rater benefits and how to access them
Paperless workflows
You’ve heard it again and again. Paperless workflows not only speed up agency processes, but they make things easier for customers and prospects. Talk about a win-win. Your agency can go paperless with underwriting, eSignatures, and document scanning and storage.
Find out more on going paperless
Secure Servers
The more your agency digitizes, the more vulnerable you become to cyber-attacks. As you add more tech-based tools, keep your agency data safe with secure servers. Servers should be off-site, contain complex data encryption, and have redundant back-ups.
Too often agencies shy away from tech, mistakenly believing it will remove the human connection that makes independent insurance so unique. At SIS, we strive to seek that balance – working with our clients to make our Partner XE agency management system the most advanced tool to support their independence.
Find out how SIS and Partner XE can enhance your agency service. Contact us at 800.747.7005, Option 6 or [email protected].
Sarah Deak has been contributing to the SIS team since 2013, covering topics like agency perpetuation, workflow improvements, data security, and marketing. She has a background in small business, working with organizations to improve their online presence and client engagement. Sarah also writes for the SIS newsletters and website, and counts herself lucky to hear from our many passionate, hard-working clients for our client stories. Her favorite part about working for SIS are the dedicated, service-minded people.