Search CompleteMarkets

...d on after-market parts). Prime refused to lower its appraisal, which was base...y may have to give up the benefits it used to get when your clients were refer...

... , direct mail, print and e-mail newsletters, posters, desk plaques, post cards, mouse pads, and even trucks. One oil-heat dealer sticks large decals on the rear bumpers of its trucks to read: "Win $100 in free oil-visit federalheat.com." Use "Magnets" to Attract Visitors Why would anyone want to visit your site? If it's all about your agency, what you do, and what you sell, no one will come and if they land on your site accidentally, they'll leave quickly. What ... 30-second television spots on Super Bowl Sunday. List your Web site on everything: letterhead, business cards, calendars, note pads, invoices, ads, direct mail, print and e-mail newsletters, posters, desk plaques, post cards, mouse pads, and even trucks. One oil-heat dealer sticks large decals on the rear bumpers of its trucks to read: "Win $100 in free oil-visit federalheat.com." Use "Magnets" to Attract Visitors Why would anyone want to visit your site? If it's all about your agency ... what you do, and what you sell, no one will come and if they land on your site accidentally, they'll leave quickly. What unique information can you offer? One maker of LCD projectors has a Web site that offers a mini-university on presentations. Many companies send e-mail news alerts directing the recipient to a Web site for the complete text. One insurance-related site offers an e-mail newsletter to risk managers and insurance agents, which states in a subtle way that the company publishes risk management books and reports. Make Use of ...

...on. The following outline has been used successfully to design and implement s...o dealers compared with the number of used-car auto dealers? The next questions you should as...

..., post cards, mouse pads, and even trucks. One oil-heat dealer sticks large decals on the rear bumpers of its trucks to read: "Win $100 in free oil-visit...

... . ABC told him that they would send him a bill for an appraisal, which they were authorized to perform based on the tow job order. Prime performed its own appraisal, which was sent to Midwest and Middletown. Midwest then informed Middletown that Joe had to use ABC (because its appraisal was lower) or that Prime had to match ABC's price (which was based on after-market parts) . Prime refused to lower its appraisal, which was based on OEM parts. After three weeks, Midwest agreed that Joe could have ... his Auto insurance from Midwest Insurance through the Middletown Agency, whose principal is Joe's lifelong friend. Last month, Joe was in an accident that damaged the right rear side of his new Mercedes. He called Midwest, who took the accident report and called a tow truck, which took the car to ABC Body Shop. Midwest then referred the claim to the Middletown Agency. When Joe called the agency to inquire about ABC, he was referred to Sally, who handles claims. Sally said that Middletown would never recommend ABC and ... , Joe decided to have the car repaired at Prime and pay the difference between the Prime and the ABC estimates. Repairs were finished in six weeks, but when he picked up the car, Joe noticed that it didn't handle properly. An inspection by the Mercedes dealer revealed that damage to the wheel assembly had never been repaired. Joe returned the car to Prime, who began renegotiations with Midwest. After four weeks, Prime was able to complete the repairs. What was the final result of the claims experience? As a ...

... Editor , Roy Phillips This content has not been rated yet. Members of the American Association of Insurance Management Consultants have long been concerned about some insurance experts' that seem to be able to manufacture their own evidence in accordance with what needs to be said. The use of expert witnesses in the insurance industry has increased during the past 20 years, as issues become more confusing to the average person (or juror, and perhaps even the judge) . The expert's job is to provide the fact-finders with relevant and reliable information upon ... on the validity of expert witness testimony in insurance-related litigation. The United States Court of Appeal, Fifth Circuit, in an April 1997 ruling cited the testimony of two experts who evaluated the book of business of an insurance agency. In Vance Dunham, Debtor and Texas Truck Insurance Agency v. Harry Cure, Chapter 7 Trustee for Vance G. Dunham, Debtor, Appellee, the Court ruled that the Trustee's expert presented impressive credentials, extensive involvement in the insurance industry, and substantial experience in valuing insurance agency businesses. In contrast ... the Court said the expert hired by Texas Truck had little experience in either the insurance industry or the valuation of insurance agency businesses. He didn't hold an insurance license, and hadn't worked in the insurance industry. He had no formal education in agency valuation, hasn't written any articles on the subject, and had appraised only insurance agencies. Vance Dunham proceeded from the bankruptcy court, which accepted the Trustee's expert opinion, to a Federal Court, which once again accepted the method of agency evaluation that had been developed over many years ...

... defend. Yet, studies support the extensive influence of first impressions. Consider, for example, one research project conducted by Jennifer Humble and Dr. Barbara Bremer. The objective was to evaluate the extent that dress and physical appearance affect the quality of social interactions. Using a retail store setting, the researchers discovered that the sociability of the clerks was significantly higher when interacting with a well-dressed actor than with a poorly dressed one. Other studies suggest that facial expression, gestures, glasses, personal coloring, garment style, and makeup ... ideas to help you foster appropriate, positive impressions: Be painfully clear about how you want your company to be perceived. What impression do you want to make? A good example is United Parcel Service (UPS) . No matter how bad the weather, UPS trucks are clean. Its drivers are always neatly uniformed, no matter how hard they've been working. UPS knows that the way it looks on the street and at the door influences how customers rate its service. Take every positive and negative message seriously. What do ... demise, the company's reputation remains undiminished. It stands out from the pack as a result of the quality of its customer service and relentless public relations efforts. Other companies also understand the value of making the right impression. W.B. Mason, a large office supply dealer in the Northeast, continually strives to make an impression that places it ahead of the competition. Their deliveries, for example, are so fast that they seem to be in real time. Place an order and it's at your office in a few hours. ...

... money. Login or Register (for FREE) to gain access to thousands of other great articles. Need more reasons to join? Need insurance for you, your business or your family? Get quality appointments - Save yourself a whole lot of time & money when you use our directory of carriers, wholesalers and service providers. Negotiate lucrative contracts with carriers and wholesalers. Net result. More revenue for your agency! Clients & Prospects will research you, your co-workers and your agency here. The most comprehensive online insurance industry reference library ... bonds and used-car dealer bonds-are marketed solely within Texas . The others-personal watercraft (jet ski) insurance and hole-in-one coverage-are marketed outside the state as well. When Everhart started his agency on April's Fool's Day 1970, he handled standard fire and casualty lines and specialized in the trucking industry. But he quickly found that he was spending most of his time convincing carriers to underwrite programs instead of selling products to potential customers. That seemed like a waste of time. So he dabbled in niche markets, enjoyed the change of pace and eventually ... per employee. We do 50 percent per employee higher than a general agency. In fact, target marketed' programs, as he calls them, are so profitable the Everhart has abandoned more conventional lines of business. Two of his four niche programs-notary public bonds and used-car dealer bonds-are marketed solely within Texas . The others-personal watercraft (jet ski) insurance and hole-in-one coverage-are marketed outside the state as well. When Everhart started his agency on April's Fool's Day 1970, he handled standard fire and casualty lines and specialized in the trucking industry. ...

...e programs-notary public bonds and used-car dealer bonds-are marketed solely w...slation. 'The notary public bonds and used-car dealer bonds are required by th...