Communications

On my desk is a calendar from a wire service that distributes press releases and articles to media outlets...

Proper records management is one of the most crucial elements of disaster planning. The ability of an organization...

First, I'll give you the bases to cover and then I'll give you a sample conversation (script) to show you how you can touch on all the bases. Don't worry too much about the words I use. If you like a turn of phrase, then, by all means, use it while also making this approach genuine by using your own words.

When someone is reluctant to give you referrals, it's likely that they're concerned about their friends' or colleagues' reactions to their names coming up in conversation and to your calling them. They could be afraid that their friends or colleagues wouldn't appreciate having a salesperson unleashed on them.

The following section is a varied and important one to a profitable independent agency. In it, you will learn the basis of the Sales Center concept and how Sales Centers have brought increased profitability, retention, and total-account sales into many agencies.

Many agencies establish a Sales Center with their existing personnel, or hire an additional administrative or customer service person to take over additional duties. Others find that the increased efficiency of a Sales Center allows them to expand their marketing efforts, and they hire an in-house or outside telemarketing staff to keep leads coming in to producers.

[NAME OF COMPANY HERE]

Presented by:

Producer's Name Here

Date

ABOUT YOUR PROPOSAL

We ask that you do not accept our brief description of the insurance coverages as a complete explanation of the policy terms. A narrative description can never replace a policy. The actual policy language will govern the scope and the limits of the coverage provided. You may wish to consult your attorney concerning this.

Although the technology is in place to sell insurance via the Net, consumers aren’t giving up the one night a year when they sit in their living rooms and listen to their agent pontificate about the advantages of "Plan A" versus "Plan B."

This dynamic might be changing. Insurers have cleared a huge hurdle for online sales — the need for a customer signature — either by using credit cards to bind coverage until the policy can be issued or by legalizing electronic signatures. Despite this advance, a very low percentage of insurance transactions are being handled online.

JUST LIKE SHOPPING FOR INSURANCE AT A SUPERMARKET! Dear (Customer Name): When you want to buy groceries, do you run around town to the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker...

AGREEMENT made this ____ day of __________, 19__, by and among PURCHASER INSURANCE AGENCY, INC., a Massachusetts corporation having a principal place of business in Boston, Massachusetts, hereinafter referred to as the "Buyer," ROGER A. ABLE of Lexington, Massachusetts, hereinafter referred to individually as "Able," and JOHN B. BAKER of Newton, Massachusetts, hereinafter referred to individually as "Baker"; both Able and Baker being referred to hereinafter jointly as the "Sellers."

In a recent edition of The National Underwriter, Editor Sam Friedman recommended that risk managers begin to explore the capabilities of sophisticated regional and local brokerages. This recommendation was based on recent broker megamergers and the growing lack of choice available to buyers.

For an independent agency or brokerage to take advantage of this opportunity, it should adopt the consultative brokerage style. In particular, its managers must learn the techniques that these sophisticated buyers have come to expect. The stewardship report and the executive summary are two techniques that firms must master to be successful in large accounts.