How to Successfully Switch Insurance Agency Management Systems

Posted on September 30, 2021October 25, 2021 by Eddie Price

Running a successful insurance agency doesn’t just happen by chance. It takes multiple factors to create a thriving business. That starts with an owner who has a clear vision and outstanding leadership qualities. Then, the insurance agency needs skilled agents who use their experience and knowledge of the industry to build client relationships and sell policies.

However, there’s one more critical factor: an insurance agency management system. As a general rule, this consists of a software program that keeps the agency organized and processes seamless. However, not all systems provide the same level of technology, and some lack important features and solutions.

Whether you have a successful insurance agency or you’re looking for a way to strengthen your client base, this is one of the most vital components for your business. What should you do if your current system isn’t much help? Especially when it comes to computer programs, it’s scary to think of switching to different software.

After all, what would happen if you lost all your client data in the process or you had to hire a computer expert who charged a hefty price? Fortunately, if you select the right insurance agency management system, you don’t need to worry about either one of these scenarios happening.

Making the Change Easy and Painless

The first and most important decision you’ll make has to do with selecting a program based on your specific needs. For instance, some management systems focus on a particular segment of the insurance agency, whether automobile, home, life, or so on. While that’s fine, it creates a potential problem.

Say your agency currently only sells home and auto insurance, but at some point, you plan to expand your product offerings. Rather than end up with a system that won’t grow with your business, you want a scalable management system. Some of the best software programs have a multifaceted design. So, they can handle virtually all types of insurance.

Below are some additional things to consider so that you can successfully switch from an outdated system to something more high-tech.

Keep Your Team Informed

The last thing you want is to have all your agents show up on a Monday morning to discover an entirely new program. That would lead to sheer panic. Once you’ve decided to go with a more robust system, let your team know. Even if you haven’t selected a specific software program, at least give them a head’s-up about impending changes.

At that time, you can answer questions. This is also a perfect opportunity to ask your agents about the features they would find most helpful in a new insurance agency management system.

User’s Experience

Also, select an insurance agency management system that your team will feel excited about. People often hesitate to change even if they’re unhappy with the particular software program they currently use. The goal is to select a management system that your agents will embrace and adapt to quickly and willingly.

That means going with something that has a dashboard to make navigation easy. Also, choose software that makes it easy for your team to input client information.

Other key features include detailed generated reports, insurance tend notifications, and tips on improving internal and external networking. The best systems on the market even send alerts that show how you can save your clients money without compromising on coverage.

As part of this, the best management system will offer training and provide you and your team with incredible support.

Designate One or Two People to Oversee the Transitions

You know the saying about “too many cooks in the kitchen”? Well, that applies here. While you want your agents to get excited, you don’t need a lot of people involved with the transition. So, designate one or more individuals, preferably those with some computer knowledge, to spearhead the insurance agency management system transition project.

You can do this before selecting a new insurance agency management system or after. If before, the people you chose can help you compare what different companies offer and the unique aspects of their systems. Otherwise, you can choose the system and then have the individuals get up to speed on how it works.

A Flawless Transition

One last thing: Look for a computer system designed for smooth integration. That way, you can move client information over without any fear of losing critical data. Remember, a company that offers an outstanding insurance agency management system has a team of experts willing to help you along the way. After switching, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.

Leverage Your Data to Sell More Insurance Policies

Posted on September 21, 2021October 25, 2021 by Eddie Price

If you asked 100 insurance agency owners or agents what goal they consider a priority, probably all of them would say to sell more policies. After all, that’s what the insurance industry is all about. Yes, they want to build lasting relationships with the clients they serve, but at the same time, they aim to increase their annual sales.

To accomplish that, insurance agencies try all kinds of solutions. While some of them work, others fail miserably. Rather than waste valuable time chasing something that isn’t going to help your agency achieve this goal, you’re better off choosing an option that’s proven to work. That entails leveraging your data.

What Does Leveraging Data Mean?

For the insurance industry, collected data needs to go well beyond a client’s name, address, and phone number. If you want to achieve greater success, you need information on much more. For instance, you want data on past and present policies, premiums, claims, and pain points, which they stress about.

Not only that but having some degree of personal data also helps build strong connections. Something as simple as knowing that a client has a child starting college, they recently had surgery, or they just saw their son or daughter get married will go a long way in getting more business.

From a client’s perspective, when an insurance agent asks how their child is doing while away at college or how they’re feeling after surgery, they feel as though the agent takes a personal interest in them and their family. To succeed, you do need to take a personal interest but also use that information to develop a personal yet business relationship.

What’s the Best Way to Leverage Data?

Years ago, insurance agents had to put things to memory or manually write information down in a tickler file. Today, the most successful agencies rely on a robust insurance agency management system. This alone can significantly increase sales and help you set your business apart from the competition.

While having some personal information is helpful, the ultimate goal is to demonstrate to your clients that you and your team fully understand their specific needs. The only viable way to do that is to use a system that stores as much information as you can to enter. The best system even stores data in the cloud, so you never have to worry about information disappearing.

Not only will the right insurance agency management system store client data, but it will also perform multiple tasks and streamline processes. As a result, you’ll find that your agency becomes more organized and efficient. In response, you can anticipate your team feeling more confident and motivated to close deals.

Cross-referencing information is just one feature. Say you sold a policy to John Smith. Then, another agent in your office sold a policy to Debbie Jones, who happens to live next door to John. The other agent can enter information that reveals their connection. The next time you speak with your client, you can mention that Debbie is also a valued customer. Immediately, cross-referencing became a powerful tool that allowed you to build a connection.

Don’t Stifle Your Insurance Agency’s Growth

A lack of information is one of the top reasons that insurance agencies don’t make it or fail to grow. Beyond daily tasks and relationship-building opportunities, the best software program identifies insurance trends, gives a heads-up about new insurance-related laws, and indicates pricing changes.

So, if you have a client who needs to keep premiums as low as possible and you get an alert on pricing that would save them money, you can contact that client to suggest a change. That’s what leveraging data is all about. It consists of taking advantage of the information you have, not just to sell more policies but also to provide clients with better service.

In a scenario such as this, here’s what can happen. You let your client know that you can reduce their monthly premium. That person then tells family members and friends. From there, one of those individuals asks to know the name of the insurance agency and agent. Before long, you get a phone call from a referral who wants to see what you can do for them in the way of coverage.

Staying Ahead of the Curve

Without question, the insurance industry is fiercely competitive. As a result, multiple insurance agencies vie for the same customer. The one that makes the best impression will probably get the business. It’s your mission to make an impression that attracts prospects and then converts them into customers.

The great thing about using an advanced insurance agency management system is that it gives you insights that you wouldn’t otherwise have. Another thing is that when you opt for the right software, you’ll find that it’s easy to use even with the complicated tasks it performs. With a helpful dashboard, you and your agents can get up to speed in no time.

There’s also the marketing aspect of leveraging data. A powerful system can generate reports based on set criteria. So, if you want to determine the type of policies your agency sells the most, you can generate a report in no time. Based on that data, you can modify your marketing strategies if needed.

Summing It Up

To experience insurance agency growth, you need to leverage your data. The return on this investment will astound you. Armed with an effective tool, you and your insurance agents will quickly see an increase in policy sales.

Insurance Agency Management Systems Aren’t All Created Equal

Posted on September 9, 2021October 25, 2021 by Eddie Price

When it comes to insurance agency management systems, independent insurance agencies can choose from several different options. However, just as with other available products, not all offer the same features, service, and affordable pricing.

There’s no question that the insurance industry has become increasingly more competitive over the years. As a result, agencies have had no choice but to come up with solutions that give them an advantage. That includes better training, expanding policy options, and relying more on social media to reach their target market.

However, the one thing that independent insurance agencies need the most is a reliable, scalable, and robust insurance agency management system. Without this, they’re already working from a point of disadvantage. To better understand why this particular system is vital to an agency’s success, consider some of the key benefits.

Benefits of an Insurance Agency Management System

Improved Organization – If there’s one thing that policyholders hate the most, it’s when an agent asks the same question multiple times. After all, a good insurance agent takes their job to heart. So, they should know or at least have access to information before talking to their clients. This is where the right insurance agency management system comes to the rescue. It keeps all client files perfectly organized.
Streamlined Workflow – Especially with insurance, there’s a kind of rhythm that keeps agents on task. If the workflow gets disrupted, it can lead to an assortment of problems. For instance, files get lost, important notes get tossed in the trash, bills get mixed up, and so on. An excellent software program improves an agency’s overall workflow.
Robust Reporting – To run a successful independent insurance agency, the owner must have a way to generate accurate reports. With this, the agency owner can identify potential areas of weakness but also see the portions of the business generating the most revenue. The reporting information allows the agency owner to make appropriate changes as needed.
Claims Tracking – Policyholders also can’t stand mismanaged claims. When a client files a claim, they’re already frustrated. So, when they call their agent to get an update, they want factual and quick answers. Even better, the right insurance agency management system has built-in tools that alert the agent it’s time to give the client an update. This alone can make a huge difference in the success of an independent agency. Reaching out to the client before they contact the agency is what you call outstanding customer service.
Scalability – Many independent insurance agencies, especially small or new agencies, often struggle with cash flow issues, at least initially. So, rather than paying for one software program only to upgrade to another and another doesn’t make good financial sense. Even for agencies doing extremely well, there’s no reason to throw away good money. A top-rated insurance agency management system is scalable, meaning it grows right along with the business.

Identifying the Best Insurance Agency Management System

One of the best ways to choose one system among many is to research what both agencies and even staff have to say. When you find one particular company that receives a lot of positive comments about the product they offer, you want to pay attention. There’s a reason it stands out.

Jenesis Software is a North Carolina-based company with more than 20 years of providing the insurance industry with enterprise-quality software solutions. As a leader in this field and having introduced a revolutionary program, many consider Jenesis as the best.

However, going back to reviewing feedback left by agencies and staff, it becomes clear that Jenesis is unique. Lisa, our Vice President, sums it up perfectly: “It’s kind of like when you’re dating. Each person you date has similar features, but when you find the one, there’s something different and special about it that makes you choose that person. When people buy Jenesis, it’s not always because we have an amazing feature that separates us from the rest. It’s because they (agencies) like the way Jenesis feels … the team, the experience with the salesperson, and the product qualities. It’s a romance.”

Compared to other software solutions available, the insurance agency management system provided by Jenesis is “different and special.” Some of the program’s key features include:

Prefilled Accord Forms
Carrier Downloads
Images and Scanning
Automated Notes
Reports
Drip Marketing Campaigns
Electronic Signature, Comparative Rater, Credit Card, and Premium Finance Integration
Gmail, Outlook, Accounting, and Quickbooks Integration
Instacheck
Quote Control
Real-Time Carrier Logins

Beyond the features though, it’s our team that really makes Jenesis stand out. From our open, honest, and transparent sales team, to our knowledgeable, dedicated, and communicative support staff, you’re always in good hands. We’re with you every step of the way.

The Bottom Line

Yes, many insurance agency management systems exist. However, for one that truly bolsters an agency’s ability to succeed, you can’t beat what Jenesis offers.

Let us show you. Sign up for a free demo, today!