In the amateur sports insurance world, technology has proven tobe an invaluable aid in the distribution of the product, makingsales easier and providing services quickly and easily for agentsand clients to access.

“Technology–specifically websites that provide online purchasingcapabilities–have been a tremendous asset to both our clients aswell as to K&K,” said Sheila Morton, sales director for themanaging general agency in Fort Wayne, Ind. “In the process oforganizing a team or league, purchasing insurance can sometimes belost in the process, and league or event organizers may findthemselves up against a tight deadline to buy insurance and provideproof of coverage required by most venues.”

She added that “website technology provides an option for thelast-minute purchase of coverage so that sports events can proceedwithout delay or cancellation.”

Ms. Morton warned that “while purchasing insurance should alwaysbe carefully considered and planned for, the reality is the directpurchase of coverage through our websites by agents who arecomfortable with technology gives our underwriters more time tofocus on clients who need assistance, or on more complex accounts.The website option has proven to be a popular choice, and we planto expand the program options available.”

Some websites can generate a certificate of coverage immediatelywhen paying with a credit card, including the firm's newest site atwww.SportsInsurance-kk.com.

Lori Windolf Crispo, senior vice president for the insurancebrokerage firm Bollinger, based in Short Hills, N.J., agreed thatone of the major benefits of technology is dealing with theincreasing number of last-minute requests for insurance.

Due to the small-account nature of this niche, many specialistsdealing with this line have become highly automated. In thatrespect, advised Ms. Crispo, buyers should be turning to aspecialist in the field to deal with the intricacies of thecoverage.

“Don't do all this work yourself. Let us do the work for you,”she said.

Whether it's an 11th-hour purchase or a sports official, coachor volunteer seeking information about insurance, the Web hasbecome a very important component for this business, Ms. Crisponoted.

“Because people don't know a lot about it or want to shop forit, I think the Web has become very important,” Ms. Crispo said.“It has at least become a way for [clients] to find brokers whospecialize in it, or want to specialize in it, or it's their localbroker.”

The Bollinger sports site (accessed through www.bollingerinsurance.comor www.bollingersports.com forconsumers, which went up recently and allows for credit cardpurchase of policies) is geared toward individuals seeking to buyinsurance directly from the company, explained Ms. Crispo. However,she emphasized that as an MGA, Bollinger prefers dealing one-on-onewith retail agents seeking to place coverage.

Information is not limited to insurance alone. Bollingerestablished a blog on sports safety at www.SportsSafetyIQ.typepad.com,and also makes available information about directors and officersexposure dealing with allegations of discrimination or professionalmisconduct.

“Every parent of a 12-year-old that doesn't make the team wantsto sue you,” she remarked, adding that such suits are “frivolous,but they happen.”

Ian C. Garner, director of Camp & Youth OrganizationRelations with Markel Insurance, with a long history in thismarket, also cited the Glen Allen, Va.-based insurer's dedicatedwebsite at www.campinsurance.com.

The site contains an extensive amount of information on safetyissues with “The Counselor” program. It also gives access toprice-quotes, safety resources with its “Safety 1^stEducation Program” and bill-paying capabilities. There is a hotlinenumber listed for 24-hour access to an experienced crisis responseteam.