Increasing the number of carriers to offer real-time capabilities should be the industry's highest priority according to a survey of insurance agency and brokerage professionals.

47 percent of respondents to the Real Time/Download Campaign's 2013 Agency Technology survey asserted that this should be considered a "Top 3" priority from a field of 13 possible enhancements, and similarly, 48% regarded real time capabilities as having a priority rating of a "5" on a 1 to 5 scale.

Industry professionals assert that bringing in more companies will allow brokers to operate more effectively and efficiently, and Real Time/Download Campaign co-chair and vice president and corporate secretary at Jones & Wenner Insurance Agency Joyce Sigler, encourages immediate implementation.

"We encourage agents not to wait. They can eliminate duplicate key strokes and save significant time today by implementing Real Time with those carriers that offer it. Agent adoption will encourage more carriers to make the investment in this time-saving technology," says Sigler.

Expansive commercial lines real-time comparative rating functionality ranked second in the campaign study, with four in ten agents and brokers describing it as a "Top 3" priority. Similarly, survey participants said that consistency in the real-time workflows offered across carriers and easier password management were also "Top 3" priorities.

"Agents and brokers have seen the many benefits of personal lines real-time comparative rating and they're eager to see similar benefits in the commercial arena," said Campaign Co-Chair Stuart Durland, vice president and co-owner of Seely & Durland Insurance. "Many carriers now offer commercial lines real-time rating through agency management systems. Agents can avoid considerable duplicate data entry today by using these tools and suggesting to their non-Real Time company partners that they implement this technology as soon as possible."

Durland believes that increased implementation of Real Time/Download will allow for sharing best practices information among carriers and foster continued growth of the interface tools.

To drive better, more consistent carrier and vendor real-time implementations, the Real Time/Download Campaign developed a research guide. "Agency Real-Time 'Best Practice' Workflows and Implementation Strategies: Guidance for Carriers and Vendors" includes various enhancements ranked by industry professionals that have potential for development and success in the industry. The Campaign's research includes insight from more than 2,200 professionals who work in the United States and Canada.

"The survey offered tremendous insight into what users and non-users believe should be improved," Sigler says. "We need to work together as an industry to help address these issues and to help drive even broader availability and adoption."

Special Reports /

Increased Real-Time Capabilities Should Be Highest Priority – Survey

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