As we continue with our look at the many ways to keep your independent insurance agency E & O free, we turn to the latest technology: your smartphone. According to a recent Engadget article, about two-thirds of Americans own a smartphone, meaning it is likely many of your customers will be use to sending and receiving information quickly. You can use this to your advantage! By using mobile applications and texting, you can cut down on E & O issues through capturing information quickly and accurately.
Creating a Mobile App
If your agency doesn’t have a mobile app, you’re already behind the curve. One of the best to keep your client records accurate is to give them easy access to updating information. Some of the best insurance apps allow users to:
- Take photos of damaged items (i.e. valuables, car)
- Access mobile ID cards
- Make policy updates
- Keep records of property maintenance
- File a claim
Text to Management System
Texting is another great way to capture information quickly. Also, texts are a great way to get your client’s attention and get a quick response – most texts are answered within 10 minutes. When using texting, keep in mind:
- Client communication preferences (texting vs email vs phone call)
- Best times to text
- Text content – keep it short!
- Agency best practices for texting
- Integrating texts in your management system
This last bullet point is an important one, and you should address it before going forward. Talk with your agency management system provider to find out if they have a means to synch texting with your systems, or if they have a procedure to make this possible. Want to learn more about how your agency management system and mobile can link? Check out the latest version of Partner XE, including its mobile capabilities. Contact us today to get the conversation started!
