Insurance carriers and agents alike are feeling the pinch of the economic downturn. Every organization is looking for ways to do more with less, but we cannot lose sight of customer retention and the search for new business. Many agencies spend thousands of dollars on automation, but the agency system is just one piece of the puzzle.

What do agents want? They want to work with a carrier that is committed to making the entire process of quoting, binding, and servicing policies as fast and easy as possible. Agents want to work with carriers that help them gain efficiencies and provide excellent service to customers. When carriers invest in technology to streamline interactions with agents, they provide a value-added component that will help drive sales and strengthen customer loyalty.

Giving agents what they want, however, can be challenging for insurance companies. If carriers are using outdated systems, it may take too long to respond to the changing needs of their agents and the marketplace. As most agents know, it is one thing for a company to build a slick-looking web portal, but it is another thing entirely to provide a convenient workflow for agents. With most agency personnel now spending a good part of their day on the web, they know a good carrier portal when they see one.