August 3, 2004                                                                   www.independentagent.com/Bigimarkets

We did NOT make this up!
 Renters Insurance


By Paul Buse 
President, Big "I" Advantage Products and Services Team 
 paul.buse@iiaba.net
(800) 221-7917

We recently noticed that Big "I" Markets agent Connie Fisher of the John Moore Agency in Duluth, GA is writing a lot of Balboa renters insurance policies. We called her to ask her secret to success.

"The process of writing renters on Big 'I' Markets is so easy; there are no words to describe how easy it is. It is so smooth and seamless. It is so sweet!" Connie said. "It’s all about building relationships and this is a great product to build relationships with."

When we asked Connie how she was able to write so many renters policies so quickly she told us, "There are no tricks up our sleeve. We have a relationship with a property management group that manages about 12 apartment complexes. The management firm has the tenant call me directly and the firm requires all their renters to have renters insurance."

We would love to have an agent like this in every state, in every city. Is there an apartment complex near you? Reach out and become the resource for all of their new tenants. IIABA-endorsed partner The Mines Press offers affordable, professional brochures which explain the importance of renters insurance. Visit Mines Press [www.minespress.com] to view their sample brochures or give them a call at (800) 447-6788 to order a supply that is customized with your agency information. Drop off a stack in the rental offices of area apartment buildings. When clients call, you'll be ready and can get them covered in five minutes.

RENTERS SELLING POINTS

STAND-ALONE POLICY

First, the idea of a stand-alone renters policy is quite unique. Most other insurers will not or do not want to write unsupported renters business. Renters gets you in the door to get the other business such as automobile, life insurance, etc. Take advantage of your access to it. Round out those accounts.

CREDIT CARD PAYMENT

The second advantage is the credit card payment option. It’s fast and it’s easy. Most sales can be closed over the phone as no wet signature is required. Also, credit card payment provides a built-in financing option since purchasers do not need to write a check for the full amount.

BALBOA DOES THE SERVICING

Third, you can train your customers to save you servicing expenses. The Balboa product is designed to be profitable for you. Balboa does the service work. Make sure your staff is aware of this and refers your clients to the Balboa 800 number for revising credit card numbers and other routine changes. Use the time saved to reach out to the customer in other ways.

I Missed the Muskie Run!
 (But hopefully they were insured)


Every summer my family and I head from the nation’s capital to the Muskie capital. Last year we almost overslept; this year, we went to northern Wisconsin on the wrong weekend. But the Muskie Run's need for special event liability coverage is the same with or without me in the race.

Each year, all the cousins, aunts and uncles run the local running race. I’ve never seen a teenager make the 7:00 A.M. start time, but that’s because they are resting their eyes from checking all those flood maps (see the June 15, 2004 Two for Tuesday). Nonetheless, it’s a small race and I was looking forward to chatting with the race organizers about whether the Town of Boulder Junction, Wisconsin required that they purchase liability insurance for the race. The event is run from the local city park and on township roads. I am quite sure local governance requires proper liability insurance by those using town property and no doubt proper coverage must be arranged for not only the 5k and 10k race but also the flea market and street festival.

This event and a million others like it happen all summer, fall, winter and, of course, in the spring. The June wedding season leads into summer fairs and festivals of all sorts. Whenever event organizers need general liability coverage, Big "I" Markets is there to help.

The Big "I" Markets product provider for special event liability is Gales Creek Insurance Services, Inc. of Portland, Oregon. Gales Creek is a Big "I" member and specializes in special event insurance for weddings, conventions, trade shows and festivals. Insurance is placed with A-rated or better insurers. Types of events and coverage details are, of course, all online at www.bigimarkets.com.

In addition to the many weddings written on Big "I" Markets, here are some interesting examples of policies written in the past month:

* A political caucus
* An association meeting
* A music concert
* A fashion show
* A high school reunion

Do you know someone at the city or town clerk’s office, parks department or city manager’s office? How about wedding planners? School officials? Who is in charge of planning events in your community? Reach out to them and offer your services. Check with your local city government and read up on the insurance requirements for the use of city parks and spaces. Request rental contracts so you'll be educated when talking to event planners. Know as much about their insurance needs as they do.

Login and check out "Event Liability" on Big "I" Markets. You'll be thinking of every upcoming community event as an opportunity before you know it.

We Need Your Help!

Product Survey

Would you like a chance to win a free full registration worth $595 to IIABA's Annual Convention in Orlando? Or how about a Big "I" Markets desktop radio? Complete this survey and you will be entered for a chance to win one of eleven prizes: one full registration to the Big "I" Convention or one of 10 Big "I" Markets radios.

As a registered user of Big "I" Markets you have already demonstrated an appetite to write business via the Big "I" Markets platform. We thank you for your support and are now asking for your help in determining what additional insurance products you would like access to using Big "I" Markets.

Some of you may recall that we conducted a similar survey at the beginning of the year. We reported then that the market most needed by users was a Non-Standard Homeowner product. We are pleased to report that as a result of that feedback, a Non-Standard Homeowner product has been developed and is currently being piloted in Tennessee. We expect to begin activating more states in the near future.

Please click the following link to begin the survey:
 www.independentagent.com/TFTSurvey

 


MORE INFORMATION AND STATE AVAILABILITY: For more information on these products and more, login to www.bigimarkets.com. To request a User name and password, email bigimarkets@iiaba.net.

ONLINE TRAINING: Online training times have changed in response to agent feedback. Need a refresher on how to navigate Big "I" Markets or just want a quick tour on how to submit a quote? Register today for a free online Web-based virtual tour of Big "I" Markets. Send an email to bigimarkets@iiaba.net to register for training sessions that are now held every Thursday at 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Eastern.

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