Independent insurance agencies need to promote their competitive advantage to stay in the race with the big, impersonal players in the marketplace and contend with many of the top insurance trends for 2017
Some of the Top Trends for 2017 include:
- Use of Drones for property assessment & claims processing
- Increase in number of direct channels and online comparison tools for the small business insurance market, similar to on-line sites for personal lines
- Development of Mobile apps that connect drivers with their car insurance company in the case of an accident or need for roadside assistance. The Claim DI app can notify the insurance company, document the accident and get a surveyor to the site immediately.
- Incentivizing the use of home sensors by insurers such as USAA, American Family, State Farm and Liberty Mutual to help mitigate risks for customers. NOTE: In 2021 – we are seeing an AI company that can look at individual lots in California to determine if the homeowner can even get fire insurance.
Offering a unique service is the best way for insurance agencies to promote their competitive advantage.
Independent Insurance Agents need to differentiate their agency by enhancing the customer experience. They do this by building strong brand engagement for new customer acquisition via a variety of marketing channels. This is the way to create deeper relationships with their customers through consistent communication. Insurance agencies may also consider value-added programs that help ensure a customer’s health and safety.
We are seeing this especially in the health area in terms of wellness. Just think of how many insurance agencies selling health insurance offer discounted health club memberships.
That’s the only way an independent agency can counter the increased competition and threat of entry by the new technology contenders.
Click here to read more about the 2017 Insurance Trends Report