Agents who’ve experienced a hard market know that claims are often scrutinized much more closely than they are in a soft market. Unfortunately, circumstances sometimes lead to the denial of claims that are covered regardless of market conditions. This document by the Virtual University faculty provides an example of what you might see more of in the months to come.

Hello (PROSPECT NAME), this is (PRODUCER NAME) from the (ABC AGENCY). Do you have a moment?

Have you ever considered what just one customer is worth to your business over a five to ten year period or longer? Carl Sewell is one of the nation’s leading Cadillac dealers. In his book, Customers for Life, Sewell calculates the amount of revenue an auto dealer could realize from an average buyer if the dealership could keep the customer for life. Would you believe $332,000? And that’s just one customer! In this article, Vicki Lenz shares her top 10 reasons for creating customer loyalty.

One of the biggest frustrations in the world of business is meeting someone, shaking hands, exchanging thoughts and ideas, and promptly forgetting their name. Most articles about this subject are aimed at improving name retention.

Public relations is all about credibility, without which you have little chance of getting your message across. In this document, Michael Maynard asks you to ask yourself, 'Would I buy it?'

IX. OTHER LIABILITIES
'Producer' will have no authority to place 'Agency' under any financial liability other than the binding of insurance coverage where 'Agency' authority exists. Any liabilities incurred by 'Producer' on behalf of the 'Agency' will be strictly prohibited and become the sole responsibility of 'Producer.'

Once you've decided to sell Life insurance in your agency, using one option or another, you'll need to recruit and/or train the staff necessary to make your operation profitable. And, you'll need to know how to assign responsibilities within the department and how to compensate your people for carrying out those responsibilities. You'll want to know how to properly motivate and supervise those people so that your operation continues to be profitable. That's what this 'Life Personnel' module is all about.

Is selling the same as prospecting? Is selling the same as quoting?

No to both questions. In the insurance business, selling is comprised of two components, but neither of them involves prospecting or quoting.

Check out this creative approach to the merger process.

Planning is like making a jigsaw puzzle. You have to look carefully at the picture you want to create, spread out and sort the pieces, make the border, and finally fill in the blanks.

'I’m going to quit smoking.' 'I’m going to drop 15 pounds so I can wear a tux again.' Like us, you probably don’t need help coming up with a New Year’s resolution or two. However, this document by Curt Pearsall offers some resolutions for your agency that are definitely worthwhile.