Trading in your auto
So you are buying a new car and trading in your old one. Go for it. We only need to know about this after the fact. When you have insurance on your current vehicle it is transferred over to you new vehicle without calling us for a short period of time. After getting the new vehicle call us with your new vehicle identification number (VIN) and we can make the change on the policy. No big deal so don't worry about calling on Thur or Fri if you are getting a car over the weekend. You have coverage. Just get in touch with us that next week to let us know to change it over. See...very simple and we are here to try to make your life easier.
Rush quotes
Ok, for those customers (potential) that may be reading this. Do all of us insurance agents a favor...don't call ten minutes before you are going to buy a new/used car not having insurance with us already requesting a quote and insurance within ten minutes. I'm not saying we can't do it but we have to get all your information (yes all because if you withhold something we will find out, aka accidents, violations), work up the quote, transfer it to an application (if you are happy) then we have to have you sign the paperwork and get payment. That's right...we are a business...we can't just take you on your word. The payment is our proof that you agree. You don't have insurance until you pay and sign. Being a new agent, I've had a couple of these come in and my first thought is that I don't want to sign you. First, you're not willing to give me all your info...(my thought(why not? what are you hiding? are you just using me against your current carrier if you even have one)). Second, you are rushing this process. In most cases it takes me, as a newer agent, a couple minutes to work everything up because I am still working out the gliches with the system we use. And third, are you going to be an issue for payment since this is a rush deal or are you going to take this new auto and get in trouble. Too many issues arise when we are in a rush situation. If you are a potential customer I want to make sure you are taken care of and sometimes that takes a little time. So...please don't rush me.
Insurance Fraud - Part V
Examples of Homeowners’ Insurance Fraud:
Overstating the value of stolen items after an actual burglary of a home or vehicle Lying about the extent, cause, date or location of legitimate damage Intentionally damaging property Making a second claim for a loss that was already paid for by another insurer or through a prior claim Asking a repairman to "cover your deductible" within their estimate. Fabricating supporting evidence — often in collusion with a crooked contractor, plumber, repairman or insurance adjuster.
Marketing - News Print II
I came from the newspaper industry and worked many years in that industry. Everything is relative when working up a newspaper ad. Utilize white space as much as possible. I've seen many ads that have a lot of white space (blank area) and few print or pictures. These ads work great because the rest of the paper is made up of words and black print so something with blank area will be attractive the the readers eyes.
Another way to lay out an ad effectively is utilizing reverse (turning the background black). This will also make the ad stick out more because it is the only full black thing on the page hopefully. Be careful because many other advertisers might do the same thing.
These types of ads will only be effective if you have a decently sized ad as well. If you are putting in a small 1 to 5 column inch ad then you are not going to get enough out of it. To get the best bang for the buck with this type of layout you will need to something bigger.
For your layout put a header up top...no not your name. People are looking for something catchy. Put your slogan or a funny but short one-liner to feed into the ad. It must catch their attention. After that get boring if you want but remember to K.I.S.S. You must get them to pick up the phone to call you or come out to see you so make it attractive.
Another way to lay out an ad effectively is utilizing reverse (turning the background black). This will also make the ad stick out more because it is the only full black thing on the page hopefully. Be careful because many other advertisers might do the same thing.
These types of ads will only be effective if you have a decently sized ad as well. If you are putting in a small 1 to 5 column inch ad then you are not going to get enough out of it. To get the best bang for the buck with this type of layout you will need to something bigger.
For your layout put a header up top...no not your name. People are looking for something catchy. Put your slogan or a funny but short one-liner to feed into the ad. It must catch their attention. After that get boring if you want but remember to K.I.S.S. You must get them to pick up the phone to call you or come out to see you so make it attractive.
Insurance Fraud IV
Examples of Health Insurance Fraud:
- Doctors billing insurers for a more costly service than the one performed (also called "upcoding")
- Providing services such as tests, surgeries or other procedures that are not medically necessary to get additional payment
- Billing for services not actually rendered (often using genuine patient names to fabricate entire claims)
- Billing each stage in a procedure as if it were a separate procedure (known as "unbundling")
- Accepting kickbacks for referrals
- Organized criminals setting up a phony clinic solely to generate fraudulent claims
- Patients forging receipts to get unwarranted reimbursement from an insurance company
- Patients embellishing, adding to or just plain lying about services received
- Patients who ask their doctors to falsify a report to an insurer to cover a non-covered procedure
- Patients who ask a doctor to waive their copayments
Insurance Part III
Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud include two sets of crimes:
Examples of claims fraud include a worker who:
Examples of claims fraud include a worker who:
- Fakes an injury at work to get paid time off
- Exaggerates the severity of a legitimate injury to extend time away from work
- Claims an injury occurred on the job when it actually occurred elsewhere
- An injured worker obtains another job and lies to the insurance company about being unable to return to work. In essence, he collects two paychecks.
Examples of premium fraud include an employer who:
- Understates the amount of company payroll to reduce premium payments
- Claims employees are independent contractors
- Classifies employees with improper job codes that carry lower premiums
- Fails to carry workers’ compensation insurance.
Insurance Fraud - part II
Examples of Auto Insurance Fraud include:
- Staged accidents, where one or more criminals cause intentional collisions in order to get undeserved payments for health care costs for alleged injuries or vehicle damage.
- Providing false information to an insurance company about a car’s mileage or use.
- Phony injury claims, when people lie about the injuries they have sustained in an accident.
- Inflated damage claims, in which criminals falsify the extent of damage or the true cost of repairs to their vehicles.
- Phony thefts, where the owner simply abandons a vehicle and then claims it was stolen (known as an "owner give-up").
- Falsely claiming a one-car accident was a "hit and run."
- Inventing injuries to people who were not in a vehicle at the time of the accident (people known as "jump-ins")
- Driving and getting into an accident when you are uninsured. Then obtaining insurance and falsely stating the date and time of the accident in an effort to have the claim paid.
Insurance Fraud - part I
Fraud occurs when someone knowingly lies to obtain some benefit or advantage to which they are not otherwise entitled or someone knowingly denies some benefit that is due and to which someone is entitled. Depending on the specific issues involved, an alleged wrongful act may be handled as an administrative action by the Department or the Fraud Division may handle it as a criminal matter.
In PA there are 4 type of Insurance Fraud; Auomotive, Workers' Compensation, Health Insurance and Homeowners'.Check back on 5/26 for more details on auto, 5/27 for Workers Compensation, 5/28 for Health and 5/29 for Homeowners.
In PA there are 4 type of Insurance Fraud; Auomotive, Workers' Compensation, Health Insurance and Homeowners'.Check back on 5/26 for more details on auto, 5/27 for Workers Compensation, 5/28 for Health and 5/29 for Homeowners.
Marketing - News Print
So the first one that I will start with is Newspaper. It is widely read and has been the staple of the advertising world for many a generation. Will you get the leads want? Possible but don't base your entire budget on it.
First things first. Meet with your rep and get their help.This is what they do...just like you and insurance. To give you some insight...the larger the ad, the better but don't go anymore than 1/3 pg...it is a waste. If you can through in color at a reasonable cost...well worth it.
The demographic for newspaper varies dependent upon the region so make sure to match up your target market with the paper. Typically everyone reads headlines, guys read sports and auto, women read lifestyle and garden, both read classifieds and inserts (for another day). Local news is a good section. If you are looking for women...do Lifestyle 2 column by 5. For men do sports 3 column by 4.
The other would be to make sure you use a decent amount of white space. Don't clutter the ad with words...it won't get read. Use a nice big tag on top and something to catch there attention and make them call. Give them a "call to action" (a reason to call) might it be a better deal, a special or something you are running or just information you might have. They need a reason to call.
More input later...
First things first. Meet with your rep and get their help.This is what they do...just like you and insurance. To give you some insight...the larger the ad, the better but don't go anymore than 1/3 pg...it is a waste. If you can through in color at a reasonable cost...well worth it.
The demographic for newspaper varies dependent upon the region so make sure to match up your target market with the paper. Typically everyone reads headlines, guys read sports and auto, women read lifestyle and garden, both read classifieds and inserts (for another day). Local news is a good section. If you are looking for women...do Lifestyle 2 column by 5. For men do sports 3 column by 4.
The other would be to make sure you use a decent amount of white space. Don't clutter the ad with words...it won't get read. Use a nice big tag on top and something to catch there attention and make them call. Give them a "call to action" (a reason to call) might it be a better deal, a special or something you are running or just information you might have. They need a reason to call.
More input later...
Lately
Due to recent office changes I have not been able to write lately. A little busier than usual. I have taken on a full book of business to service as well as attempting to grow my own book. I have gotten many leads from the mailers that have been sent out. Things are progressing smoothly.
Follow Ups
As a new P&C Producer I need to do a lot of follow up to create flow. That is what I've been working on. I'm following up with commercial customers that have mailed an information packet. I'm getting a good response. A couple of appointments and good contacts. Following up on calls, mailings or just with former relationships is the best way to gain new business and renew relationships for future business and referrals.
Here Goes Nothing
My first Personal Lines mailing is going out today. I have 100 names of personal contacts to start out with. I have many more but I figure I'll hit up my very close contact to start off with. I worked flyer type of letter with
my picture on it (what a handsome mug) and a brief introduction from me. Included was brief information about he company, logo, contact info and companies we are appointed. Added a bunch of color to try to catch attention as well as a magnet and business card. I'll let you all know how that worked once the results start coming in.
I did some cold calling for commercial yesterday and had a couple potentials that I need to grow. I went away from existing contact and went straight cold to see what I could get and it wasn't all bad. Got some business cards and contacts that I will later hit up with mailings and phone calls. It is all about follow up. That is what I'll do.
my picture on it (what a handsome mug) and a brief introduction from me. Included was brief information about he company, logo, contact info and companies we are appointed. Added a bunch of color to try to catch attention as well as a magnet and business card. I'll let you all know how that worked once the results start coming in.
I did some cold calling for commercial yesterday and had a couple potentials that I need to grow. I went away from existing contact and went straight cold to see what I could get and it wasn't all bad. Got some business cards and contacts that I will later hit up with mailings and phone calls. It is all about follow up. That is what I'll do.
Marketing II
Ok...so you have your slogan and you know where you need to market to. Now what do you do? How are you going to reach your demographic. Well....how are you? You have many to choose from and I'm not going to tell you which works the best because if it works for me,
it may not work for you. "One mans trash is another mans treasure" and that goes double for advertising. I hate to say this but you are just going to have to try something that fits your demographic.
The older the demographic, the more TV/Newspaper/Talk Radio. The younger the demographic, the more music radio/magazine/other. I hate to tell you but you need to look at a "media mix." That's right, you might have to spend in more than one outlet. If you want to take the simple route you can look at Direct Mail but then again you could be sending out to 10,000 and spending a bit of money for a 1% return or you might be lucky and get a 10% return (good luck with that). I know this seems like a tease but if you don't try you will never know. As many have said before me..."You gotta spend money to make money."
This statement holds very true when talking about advertising. If you want to know what the specific markets...check back and I'll give you a crash course on as many as a can think that are out there. Then we'll move on.
it may not work for you. "One mans trash is another mans treasure" and that goes double for advertising. I hate to say this but you are just going to have to try something that fits your demographic.
The older the demographic, the more TV/Newspaper/Talk Radio. The younger the demographic, the more music radio/magazine/other. I hate to tell you but you need to look at a "media mix." That's right, you might have to spend in more than one outlet. If you want to take the simple route you can look at Direct Mail but then again you could be sending out to 10,000 and spending a bit of money for a 1% return or you might be lucky and get a 10% return (good luck with that). I know this seems like a tease but if you don't try you will never know. As many have said before me..."You gotta spend money to make money."
This statement holds very true when talking about advertising. If you want to know what the specific markets...check back and I'll give you a crash course on as many as a can think that are out there. Then we'll move on.
Experience
So far I've been a licensed agent for 1.5 months. I've sent out commercial letters to a bunch or ex-commercial customers from a previous job. I've also sent out personal letters to potential personal customers. I made some phone calls to follow up but have not gotten anywhere. I'm going to concentrate more on the commercial P&C end and my background has been road work. I'm looking at going back to my strength this week.
With my previous advertising positions I'm used to driving and stopping out and seeing people on a whim. I enjoy and have been successful with that. I need to bring in business. I need to start utilizing what I have learned or I will start forgetting what I've learned. Keep checking back to see how it's going.
With my previous advertising positions I'm used to driving and stopping out and seeing people on a whim. I enjoy and have been successful with that. I need to bring in business. I need to start utilizing what I have learned or I will start forgetting what I've learned. Keep checking back to see how it's going.
Marketing I
So, I came from the advertising world into the Insurance Business. How? A former client has become my current employer. I now handle all of the Marketing for my company. Many of you already know, but as a refresher, you must get specific when figureing out how to market your company. I know...you don't like to or it takes too much time. Do it...it's worth it.
Figure out who you need to go after...not want. Who we need to go after is not who we want to go after. But as you get those needs and grow your business you can steadily grow those wants. When being specific...focus on age, gender, geographic, race (yes I said it), income level, career, even religion.
Now a slogan, your lead to your potential customer. What do you want to say to these people. Make it one line and to the point. One thing I learned a very long time ago...K.I.S.S. --> Keep It Simple, Stupid. Don't get bogged down with details. Your main reason for any type of marketing is to draw interest and get them to call you.
Check back in a couple days to discuss more...
Figure out who you need to go after...not want. Who we need to go after is not who we want to go after. But as you get those needs and grow your business you can steadily grow those wants. When being specific...focus on age, gender, geographic, race (yes I said it), income level, career, even religion.
Now a slogan, your lead to your potential customer. What do you want to say to these people. Make it one line and to the point. One thing I learned a very long time ago...K.I.S.S. --> Keep It Simple, Stupid. Don't get bogged down with details. Your main reason for any type of marketing is to draw interest and get them to call you.
Check back in a couple days to discuss more...
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