John Tiene Recognized by Business Insurance America “Hot 100”
In its fifth year, Insurance Business America’s Hot 100 list pulls together insurance professionals who stood above the crowd in the past 12 months. From a pool of hundreds of nominations, IBA narrowed the list of 100 professionals. From industry tycoons and fresh new talent to innovators and entrepreneurs, they are a true reflection today’s evolving insurance industry.
ANE Leader-2-Leader Peer Workshop
ANE just completed a very productive ANE Leader-2-Leader Peer Workshop in Philadelphia. Our next session is November 14, 2018 at Holiday Inn in Clark, New Jersey from 9 am – 12 pm.
These sessions enable you to join your ANE colleagues to kick around ideas on how they are dealing with the challenges of running an agency, finding producers and staff, writing new business, and where the future of the industry is going.
These meetings include an informal breakfast followed by small group discussions and idea exchanges. RSVP directly to Alyssa Delaney at adelaney@ane-agents.com
ANE’s Rineer quoted in Insurance Journal
ANE’s Vice President of Field Operations Jocelyn Rineer was recently quoted in an Insurance Journal magazine article 101 Sales & Marketing Ideas for Agencies. The article has some great ideas. Here is Jocelyn’s comment:
Carrier Know-How. Know how to submit and sell to a carrier. You will move your submission to the top of the underwriter’s desk, plus get better pricing and a quicker response. That’s what your clients want. It’s a lost art that’s a great marketing differentiator for your agency.
Do you have a niche that you are not leveraging to get new business?
If you are looking for a way to differentiate your agency, look at your book of business. It is likely you have experience in niche markets - whether it is the ten restaurant accounts you have or the eight accounting firms.
That means you already know what carriers are best for these businesses and their risk management issues. You can leverage that experience to get more similar accounts.
Most new business comes from taking away business from an incumbent. To overcome a generalist you have to “outniche” them. Show the prospect what the generalist has missed – because they are not the niche experts you are. Go beyond price, so the incumbent doesn’t just match what you offered. Use your expertise to make a case for how your risk management can help them avoid claims and subsequent premium increases.
A starting point for marketing is to create a sell sheet and a dedicated webpage about your niche. Use Facebook and LinkedIn to post an article such as “3 Ways This Niche (fill in the blank) Can Reduce Its Insurance Costs.” Send that article out via email to your niche prospects. Ask your current clients in your niche for testimonials.
Over time as you build your book in your niche, you will develop a reputation as a sought after go-to insurance expert.
ANE Featured in Insurance Business Magazine
ANE was featured in the Insurance Business Magazine article “Agencies band together to clear path through industry disruption.”
Why are agencies banding together? Because networks leverage strong relationships between agents and carriers to drive business and yield positive results across the board.
“Networks like ANE are dealing with agencies who want to remain independent, and want to continue to move forward, grow and perpetuate, whether with family or existing management groups. That’s what has fueled our rapid growth in the past few years,” says ANE CEO John Tiene.
Read the article
ANE Selected as Five Star Network by BIA
ANE is proud to have been selected as a Five Star Network by Business Insurance America magazine in all of these categories:
* Commissions and Profit Sharing
* Access to Insurance Companies and Products
* Access to Niche and Nontraditional Markets
* Ability to Network with Member Agencies
* Overall Business Consulting
* Training and Education
* Technology
* Marketing
* Administrative Support
* Claims Support
Click here to read the article from Insurance Business America
What technology should your agency focus on?
Agencies that are trying to stay competitive are often faced with having to make decisions about how to use technology to give their agencies an edge. A recent article in “Business Insurance America” talked about the importance of automation and analytics.
That’s one reason why ANE offers its agents Vertafore at a discounted price along with hands-on support services. Automation for back office management improves customer service – the key to retention. The analytics provided via Vertafore enables agencies to make informed decisions about growing their business.
Take a moment to read the article to learn how to, “Use data and analytics to better understand, influence and ultimately get a consumer to purchase insurance.”
Please join us for the ANE Annual Conference
"Team ANE: Overcoming Obstacles & Achieving Success"
Featuring U.S. Paralympian Keith Gabel as our keynote speaker
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Bridgewater Marriott Hotel
Bridgewater, NJ
Registration Opens 9:00AM
Program Begins at 10:00AM
Register Here
https://youtu.be/IMnD_4N_dwE
What do agents say? 2018 NU/PIA Independent Agent Study results
In 2017 the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) conducted its inaugural Independent Agent Study — a research project designed to annually take the pulse of independent Property & Casualty insurance agents throughout the U.S.
Here are three of the insights from the study – and ANE’s response for its members
The exodus of talent on the agency side remains concerning. Forty-five percent of our independent-agent study respondents, most of them principals or owners, said they planned to retire in the next nine years.
ANE works with our members to develop new producers by providing training and ongoing support. We also help owners prepare for succession if that’s what they want.
Only about 1 in 4 (24%) of PIA members who responded said their insurance carrier relationships were improving; 19% said their relationships had declined.
ANE prides itself on providing members better access to more carriers. Our network’s buying power and our close working relationships with our carriers means when agencies need support to close a deal or solve a problem, they get it.
Despite 56% being armed with agency smartphones, only 41% of respondents said they can provide quotes to prospects while out in the field.
Our members access Vertafore at a discounted cost and with hands-on support enabling agencies to “go mobile” and much more.
If you are facing any of these issues, ANE is here to help.
The 2018 Independent Agent Study: Agents speak out on carrier relationships, challenges and their future plans
The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) has released a study to take the pulse of independent Property & Casualty insurance agents throughout the U.S. The study provides insight into the demographics, books of business, challenges and carrier ratings.
Some key finding include to compare to your agency:
45% of respondents, most of them principals or owners, said they planned to retire in the next nine years. Is a talent gap a concern for your agency?
About 24% said their insurance carrier relationships were improving; 19% said their relationships had declined. Are you happy with your carrier relationships?
Although 56% have smartphones, only 41% said they can provide quotes to prospects while out in the field. Can your agents quote remotely?
More study results will be released soon. Check out the video for an overview of the results.