Quoting Sites

[retread]

Insurint does not allow consumers to generate their own quotes . . . unless you pay extra for that feature.

When I reviewed Insurint a year ago that was not an option. The only way to generate a quote was on the "agent" side, in the back office.

Some agents don't believe in giving that much "power" to visitors to their site. They want to control everything to the point of, if you want a quote you have to contact the agent.

I suppose that works for some, and anyone that goes to your site and fills out a request form is probably a better prospect than one who simply generate's their one quote.

I might get two dozen calls or emails during the year from folks looking for insurance, but I get 100+ per month running quotes and some of those end up becoming clients.

You decide which is better.

Ah-h-h-h! I see... I didn't realize Insurint didn't offer direct quoting ability to online consumers. Thanks for the explanation, it is good info.

I have been re-evaluating this for a while. My site promotes self quoting. I am coming to the conclusion that "consumer quoting" as you refer to it, is not as good as I first thought.

1) I have talked to prospects that have "done it themselves" and enrolled in a plan they have no idea of the benefits but now want out.

2) There are some products I carry that require either by law or by carrier policy that I must intervene, so a direct quote is impossible to offer.

3) Spambots may find a hole to crawl through.

 

[somarco]

Consumers are going to look for, and find, information (including rates & application links) somewhere. I figure they might as well get it from me as elsewhere.

I probably get 30 apps a year from folks finding my site, running their own rates and applying. Probably 80% of them are never finished or are declined due to being too short.

The remaining 20% get issued and sometimes will stay on the books for a while.

I have a BX client that has been on the books for around 2 years. I have never talked to him (he doesn't pick up or return calls) or corresponded (same on email). So I continue to collect my $18/month commission and go on with my life.

 

[IndividualHealthGuy]

1) I have talked to prospects that have "done it themselves" and enrolled in a plan they have no idea of the benefits but now want out.

One thing we offer is the ability to completely control what plans and deductible levels quote on the web portal. That way plans you don't want sold don't get quoted. Other services have this ability as well, but ours is just a bit more user friendly.

Of course, talking about competitors, I have to say WHO DAT!

 

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

I will say this about Norvax. Their system does allow the consumer to do many things online themselves that result in many sales. And I also (like IHG) adjust my settings so the client sees the plans I want them to see.

 

[rmorris]

Somarco and Chumps -

About how many policies would you say you write in a given year? You both seem to have good traffic on your sites.

Also - do you handle all aspects of your clients yourself? Or do you have additional individual reps in your office or claims/customer service staff that assist you?

 

[somarco]

On average 100 - 130, almost all health. All me, no help.

Chumps writes 300 - 500 and has a harem plus a few eunuch's.

 

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

No help here either although that harem idea sounds nice!

 

[rmorris]

Damn Chumps!

Somaraco you seem to be on par with me and it's a full time job. Unless you have a much better closing ratio Chumps, I can't imagine how busy you stay.

 

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

Yea...you're not kidding. I easily work 12-14 hours per day, although much of it is at home where at least I'm with the family.

There's a better way and I hope to have it figured out within 24 months. I'm working on some things but it will take time. I just hope Obama doesn't ruin things.