By Beryl Dalton


To have lasting success in the insurance industry, agencies today are more reliant upon superior computer programs than ever before. Data is everywhere, and the sheer volume of it is simply too much to manage without the best program on hand. For those agencies seeking just the right insurance agency management software for their office needs, here are a few important factors that should be considered prior to any purchase.

The effective managing of client data is of primary concern with these programs. CRM programs need to be able to do more than simply compile data associated with the agent's many prospects and customers. The best offerings also provide features to help agents manage those customers effectively. That includes contact by email and phone, as well as the creation and distribution of policy details.

Leads need managing as well, since the growth and stability of an agency is reliant upon maximizing the potential for new customers. Good CRM can track every contact with every prospect, schedule each point of the contact process, and manage each proposal. Centralized storage is important too, so that agents can access data from an online portal even when they are visiting prospects or clients in the field.

Reports are a critical component for success. Without accurate and timely reporting, agents will find it difficult to know where they are with respect to their sales goals. The best software can track the cost per lead, the return on investment from various lead providers, and the actual conversion rates for the lead process.

One thing many agents fail to consider is document creation and distribution. In addition to basic proposals, quality programs can also create everything needed to deal with customers and pursue prospects. Things like detailed policy statements, rate plans, brochures, and other sales materials can be created with just a few clicks of the mouse and sent to clients, potential new customers, or others within the agency.

Data is critically important, but its security can be even more of a concern. These agents receive and maintain personal and professional data records for all of their clients, and it is their responsibility to ensure that that information is protected from criminals and other curious eyes. The very best office software offerings use data encryption and other superior security features to protect critical information.

Still, in many instances, a program that is perfect for one coverage type fails to manage another. That's why most experts recommend getting a different program to manage those other coverage offerings. The test to see whether this might be necessary is simple: whenever an office has one person singularly responsible for managing data related to one secondary type of insurance, chances are a second program might be beneficial.

The obvious takeaway from all of this is that modern insurers can no longer rely upon outdated customer systems. There are simply too many details, data points, and privacy issues involved to entrust the process to anything but the best computer programs available on the market today. For agents seeking those programs, attention to these key considerations can make that selection process much easier.




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