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2 Ways To Generate Insurance Leads

5/31/2018

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One of the main questions our AccuAgency Business Development Marketing Representatives hear in the field is, “How can I generate more leads?”.  In an ongoing effort we try to share various ways for your independent insurance agency to generate more leads.  We hope you find this helpful.  

Both of these lead generating tips require that your agency has a website so don’t read any further if your agency doesn’t.  Instead, drop everything right away and contact a company that builds websites for independent insurance agencies.

If your current website does not include quote forms, contact your website design company and ask them to add quote forms for all the lines of business you write.  If you work with an insurance software company that offers an instant auto quote generator or any type of instant quote generator, contact them about getting the feature added to your website.

Here are 2 ways you can generate leads with little effort on the front end (just contact the appropriate parties to get things rolling.)

1.    Lead Generating Quote Forms

You’ll want to be able to generate a quote for prospects so you’ll need to ask the right questions without driving them away by asking too many personal questions.  Be sure to capture their contact information including name, email address and phone number. Those fields should be required. Make sure all quote forms are SSL Secure forms.  These forms should use the same encryption and security required by your E&O policy.

Taylor all quote forms and fields for each type of insurance and make it clear what type of insurance quote they are requesting.  You’re familiar with insurance terms but you’re prospects probably aren’t. Consider using a photo that represents the type of insurance they are requesting a quote for.

Once the form is completed and submitted, the form will be sent to the email or emails of the people you have assigned to handling the quote requests.  

TIP:  Respond to leads IMMEDIATELY if at all possible.  After just a few minutes the lead will get cold and the prospect will move on.

2.    Instant Quote Forms

The difference between quote forms and instant quote forms is “instant”.  With an instant quote form, your prospects will receive a quoted premium for the coverages they have selected instantly.  

SAME TIP:  Respond to your lead immediately.  Consider assigning your staff to handle these leads during off hours and have them follow up right away.

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Lead Generating Quote Form Example
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Protect Your Data Or Risk Financial Devastation

5/16/2018

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Another Day, Another Data Breach...

An article posted last month by businessinsider.com, reported at least 14 retailers were hacked and likely had information stolen from them since January 2017.  Many of the data breaches were caused by flaws in payment systems taken advantage of by hackers. The list includes Sears, Kmart, Whole Foods, Sonic, Delta, Best Buy, Panera Bread and more.  The article said, “Data breaches are on the rise in both retailers and other businesses...Data breaches are a real danger for both brands and customers, and can affect customer's trust in brands.”

Last month I received a Notice of Data Breach from Usinger’s.  (They are famous for sausage). Now I can include them in the list of notices I have received from other companies informing me of a data breach.  Watching the news it seems like there is another report of a data breach at least once a week.

You’re Risking Financial Devastation
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As an independent insurance agency, you’re collecting a lot of personal and sensitive information from your prospects and clients.  It’s critical that you protect your data and your clients’ trust or risk financial devastation if you allow hackers to steal the information as a result of a data breach.  With the growing use of wireless connections, hackers can manipulate your network and gain access to your data in various ways.

Consider These Security Threats:  

  • Hackers - these can be an individual, a small group or a large syndicate who take your data and put it up for sale or force you to pay a ransom or risk losing all of your data.
  • Mobile Devices - laptops, tablets, phones, etc. that your employees use to access your insurance agency’s data on an unsecure network.  
  • Employees - these are former employees who have quit or been fired and still have access to your data even after they are long gone from your agency.  
  • Third-Party Service Providers - as an independent insurance agent you work with numerous third-party service providers who transmit sensitive client data over the internet.  

Consider These Security Steps:

  • Secure your network - you should have some kind of firewall and antivirus software.  Update your antivirus software regularly.
  • Wi-Fi - use a hidden and encrypted Wi-Fi network.
  • Mobile devices - Ensure all mobile devices used for your agency’s business have antivirus software, a virtual private network (VPN) and encryption.
  • Train your employees - Ponemon Institute (an independent research company that conducts research on privacy, data protection and information security policy)  reports that over half of data breaches at small and medium-sized companies are caused by negligent employees or contractors. Teach employees to use very strong passwords, update passwords regularly and how to spot a phishing scam.
  • Two-Factor Authentication - Require your employees enable two-factor authentication, which uses a password and a second piece of information, such as a code sent by text or email, on work email accounts, and only access them via secure networks or VPN-equipped devices.
  • Store your data in the cloud - storing your data in the cloud with a third-party provider secures against hackers and also protects you from risks like fire, flooding and burglary.

In order to keep your valued clients' sensitive data safe, it’s essential to implement a security program at your independent insurance agency.  Leaving any of these security measures unchecked puts your agency’s financial security at risk.

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AccuAgency Employee Spotlight - Mark Etheredge

5/8/2018

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It’s time for another AccuAgency Employee Spotlight!

Mark Etheredge, Infrastructure Manager

You may be wondering, what is an infrastructure manager?  An infrastructure manager plans, directs and coordinates the design, installation and connectivity of computer systems and network infrastructure to insure the stable operation of the organization’s IT assets.  The role is also responsible for telephone, data center, security systems and other electronic infrastructure.

But our infrastructure manager is always stepping in and contributing much more.  We asked Mark about working at AccuAgency in addition to a few fun questions.

How long have you worked at AccuAgency?   

13 years.  Also did part-time work more than 30 years ago when the company was first getting started.

What do you love about your job?

I enjoy working for a smaller company and wearing lots of hats, getting involved in different aspects of the business.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I'm a pretty open book, but one thing is I much prefer preparing a meal at home to going out to eat.  I enjoy cooking and I like to know exactly what I'm eating and how it is prepared.

What is one of your guilty pleasures?

Even though sugar is on my 'bad' list, I have to have a sugar fix now and then.

What is something you would like to learn to do?

How to professionally shoot, edit and produce videos for social media. And fly a drone for even more video footage!

What is the best piece of advice you ever got?

Trust yourself.


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Hello Summer! Summer-Inspired Blog Topic Ideas For Your Independent Insurance Agency Website Blog

5/1/2018

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Summer is soon approaching which means summer break, summer vacations, graduations, college kids returning home and, of course, road trips.

Here are 5 summer related blog topic ideas for your independent insurance agency website blog page.

  1. It’s time to pack up the family car and hit the road for a summer road trip. List travel and gas-saving tips. Mention free apps like Gas Buddy that will show the closest locations for the cheapest gas.  Also, suggest going over auto insurance coverages to ensure they have what they need for the season.
  2. Renters insurance for college graduates. Many graduates may not want to move back home. Remind college graduates and their parents to get renters insurance coverage. Blog about the low cost of this must-have coverage.
  3. Summertime liabilities. Summer activities are fun and some are dangerous as well. Give tips and safety advice for those who own boats, jet skis, kayaks, etc. Pool and swimming safety tips are also great for the month of June!
  4. Grill safety tips. Summer equals cookouts and barbeques.  Blog about grill safety and go over a few safety tips to avoid a fire on the deck or patio.
  5. June is the most popular month for weddings. Give some examples of why it’s a must to get wedding insurance.

Keep cool this summer and keep on blogging!
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    Author

    Vikki Thomas has been working in the insurance industry since 1995.  Vikki has worked for several carriers in customer service, quality assurance, underwriting, product management and marketing.  Vikki has worked at AccuAgency since 2008.

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Norcross, GA 30071
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