Real Time is the ability to click on a button from a client file in the agency management system or comparative rater for immediate access to carrier information on that client. The transaction may be a quote, billing inquiry, claim inquiry/loss run, policy view, endorsement or a request for information.
Karen Youngman, CPCU, personal lines manager at Don Allen Agency, Rochester, N.Y., and Real Time/Download Campaign co-chair, said, "Previous surveys have shown continued growth in acceptance of download and real-time functionality. We hope to see data that confirm continued positive momentum this year, as more carriers and vendors are offering better interface for more lines of business."
"In the 2010 survey, agents and brokers prioritized actions that carriers and vendors could take to enhance their offerings," said Campaign Co-chair Cyndy Smith, vice president and director of technology at Haylor, Freyer & Coon, Syracuse, N.Y. "The industry responded and a number of improvements have been made. We're eager to see the impact of these enhancements and to identify possible opportunities for further improvement."
The survey is available online and can be completed in less than seven minutes. For this year's survey, questions were streamlined, which offers a better user experience and speedier completion.
The online survey can be accessed at bit.ly/AgentSurvey. Campaign supporters have made gift cards available that will be awarded randomly to agency and brokerage employees who complete the survey between now and its end date, which is scheduled for September 30, 2011.
About the Real Time / Download Campaign
Launched in 2007, the Real Time/Download Campaign (www.getrealtime.org) is dedicated to improving the competitiveness of the independent agency distribution channel. The campaign isn't advocating a specific technology, but a workflow approach that frees up more time for agencies to sell, process and service business. Most agents can leverage tools already contained in their agency management systems or comparative raters.
Campaign participants include agents, brokers, carriers, technology providers, user groups, and agent and industry associations. The campaign is led by industry groups and sponsored financially by: ACORD and the ACORD-User Groups Information Exchange (AUGIE); Allied Insurance; Applied Systems; Applied Systems Client Network (ASCnet); Artizan Internet Services; CNA; EMC Insurance Companies; Grange Insurance; Harleysville; The Hartford; Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) and its Agents Council for Technology (ACT); IVANS; Liberty Mutual Agency Markets; MetLife Auto & Home; Network of Vertafore Users (NetVU); PIA of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut & New Hampshire; Progressive; Travelers Insurance; Vertafore; and Westfield Insurance.