PIANJ Members Survey Will Rate Companies

NU Online News Service, Jan. 21, 12:12 p.m.EST?The Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey saidit is polling members for the association's first performancesurvey rating the state's insurance companies.[@@]

The research will be part of the annual survey done by the PIAof Connecticut and New York. The month-long poll asks independentagents' opinions of the companies' handling of claims, products andpricing, technology, marketing support, and more.

Both the PIACT and PIANY will include more companies in their2005 surveys.

"This survey is multifaceted and provides feedback to numerousparties," said
N. Stephen Ruchman, president of PIANY. "Not only do the companiesreceive valuable information, which allows them to gauge how theystand with their agents, but the agents are given the opportunityto express their praise and their concerns."

Last year, 150 individuals participated in the Connecticutsurvey, rating an average of six companies apiece. In New York, 357individuals participated.

This year approximately 30 insurance companies, or companybusiness units, will be evaluated in Connecticut (up from 24); 54in New York state (up from 38); and 46 in New Jersey.

The surveys will be launched Monday, Jan. 24, and will beavailable by logging on to PIA's Web site at www.piaonline.org andclicking on the Company Performance Survey icon.