The Internet has changed just about every aspect of ourprofessional and personal lives. Need to figure out if yoursymptoms are a head cold or something more serious? Type those intoWedMD and you have an answer after skimming a few sentences. Forgetto pay a bill for the month? Login to your bank's websiteand take care of that with a swift click of the mouse. Especiallyprofessionally, there's a high chance certain aspects of your dailywork routine involve online software and tools otherwise notavailable. 

While most (if not all) would agree that the Internet hasgreatly improved the way businesses and professionals operate, theInternet has also been considered a threat to certain industries,and eliminated the need for several others—what's Blockbuster up tothese days? Because of the Internet, many companies have shifted toautomation solutions that, while streamlining processes, eliminatethe need for human-to-human interactions, or in some cases, jobs.Insurance is no exception.

Related: Why agencies should pay attention to the mobileinsurance consumer

Due to technology startups and strictly online insurancecompanies, the traditional insurance agent position can now beadded to the list of jobs threatened by the Internet, according toThe New York Times. Even giant tech companieslike Google are jumping into the mix, only adding to the pressureon today's agents, whose income is dependent on theirpolicyholders' payments.

Worried? You should be . . . to an extent. Yes, the Internet ischanging the way your customers are purchasing policies, but keepin mind: you're the expert and your knowledge about the industry isunmatched by any dot-com option. Following are a few strategiesinsurance agents can use for remaining relevant in today's onlineinsurance world.

(Photo: Shutterstock.com)

1. Never stop educating yourself

Why are consumers, our customers, turning to online insurancerather than engaging with an agent? It's convenient. Butconvenience doesn't necessarily equate to value. Just becauseconsumers can read a few FAQ pages and company reviews online, thatdoes not mean they are fully educated on the extent of theirinsurance needs. As an insurance agent, you now must prove thatyour wealth of knowledge is far greater than a website—bring newpolicy options to the table when able, present policy updates orchanges in layman's terms and position yourself as your customers'very own FAQ page.

Related: Among cavemen and geckos: How to stand out in thecrowded insurance marketplace

Do this by learning the ins and outs of your customers' livesand don't be afraid to point out loopholes in policy purchases.Those same loopholes may have gone unaddressed if purchased online.Customers aren't looking for you to be a friend, but rather anexpert who can lead them in the right direction while keeping theirbest interests in mind.

2. Treat the Internet as a tool, not theenemy

Natives of the digital age, many consumers (both prospective andcurrent) value their independence. For example, 90% of themillennial generation routinely researches products online(60% research via mobile). This means insurancecompanies need to make their information easy to access and easierto comprehend. Because of the independent mentality, new customersare likely to conduct their own research before connecting with aprofessional for help. If you aren't catering to that basic need,you're very likely to lose business without even knowing it.

(Photo: Shutterstock.com)

Consider offering an online tool that walks customers throughyour insurance services as a place to start. Create 'call toaction' buttons or contact forms with a place for customers tosubmit inquiries along with their email addresses. These toolsencourage your customers to reach out with any questions orinterest in engaging with an agent for further information onpolicies for their lifestyle. By leveraging the Internet, ratherthan treating it as the enemy, agents can cater to the consumerdesire for convenience while fostering new and existingrelationships.

3. Simplify your processes

As an agent, part of your responsibility is to make the buyingprocess headache-free. From start to finish, make sure that theconsumer comes first and that the buying process is simplified forthem. In our always-connected world, customers are busier thanever, so be proactive when it comes to policy updates or lifeevents that affect your customers' insurance needs. Humanize theprocess so that your client is doing the least amount of work.

Related: Welcome to the future: Here's what insurance 2.0means for you

Consumers often assume that the claims process is easier if doneonline, but as professionals we understand otherwise. Don't beafraid to embrace change. If you learn to change up yourcommunication and selling methods, chances are your customers willnotice, which brings value to your services and role as an agentwho can evolve and improve with time. A one-on-one conversationwith someone familiar is more appealing than the thought of dealingwith a call center and being on hold for who knows how long. Doesyour customer prefer email updates or text messages? Cater yourcommunication methods to each of your customers, and don't beafraid to offer to meet them in the middle for importantconversations.

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The Internet has undoubtedly changed our personal andprofessional lives, which has some of us worried about jobsecurity. Rather than worry, implement a few operational changes inorder to provide your incomparable value as an insurance agent tonew and future customers. Find a balance between old and newpractices for best serving consumers, and learn how to leverage theInternet for continued education, communicating with your customersand simplifying what many consider a complicated, old-schoolindustry.

About Fortegra

Fortegra, a subsidiary of Tiptree FinancialInc. (NASDAQ: TIPT), is a single source insurance services companythat, through a network of preferred partners, offers a range ofspecialty program underwriting, credit protection, and warrantysolutions. Delivering multi-faceted coverage with an unmatchedservice experience for both resellers and their customers, Fortegrasolves immediate, everyday needs, empowering consumers to worryless and Experience More.