In the insurance industry, downloads from the carrier systems will continue to populate the agency management system with current data for its clients. Automated responses will keep the agency staff alerted to any changes and inquiries made by their clients to permit them to contact the client if needed.
While we are still some years away from client access to their companies and policies through the agency portal, the remote capabilities of the agency management system vendors and even the carrier Service Centers are steps in the right direction.
Agency owners must concentrate their Strategic Plans toward the steps needed to convert their agencies from processing shops to relationship managers and insurance counselors for their clients. If they concentrate on actions that will lower their running costs without losing control of their clients, they will make the right decisions about the progress of automation within the agencies.
Remember, if you use the tides to your advantage, you become a proficient surfer. If you try to stand firm and fight the tide, you end up drowning. Learn the future direction of your agency automation system and of the industry and surf the wave to greater efficiency and greater profit. The industry is changing and automation is one of the primary vehicles that is speeding the change.
Reprinted from the PIPELINE, the national newsletter for agency principals. The PIPELINE is published by Agency Consulting Group, Inc., a leading consulting firm for independent agents in the U.S. for over 20 years. Call 800-779-2430 for information about the content of this article or PIPELINE subscription information. E-mail info@agencyconsulting.com – Website www.agencyconsulting.com
