In the amateur sports insurance world, technology has proven to be an invaluable aid in the distribution of the product, making sales easier and providing services quickly and easily for agents and clients to access.
“Technology–specifically websites that provide online purchasing capabilities–have been a tremendous asset to both our clients as well as to K&K,” said Sheila Morton, sales director for the managing general agency in Fort Wayne, Ind. “In the process of organizing a team or league, purchasing insurance can sometimes be lost in the process, and league or event organizers may find themselves up against a tight deadline to buy insurance and provide proof of coverage required by most venues.”
She added that “website technology provides an option for the last-minute purchase of coverage so that sports events can proceed without delay or cancellation.”
Ms. Morton warned that “while purchasing insurance should always be carefully considered and planned for, the reality is the direct purchase of coverage through our websites by agents who are comfortable with technology gives our underwriters more time to focus on clients who need assistance, or on more complex accounts. The website option has proven to be a popular choice, and we plan to expand the program options available.”
Some websites can generate a certificate of coverage immediately when paying with a credit card, including the firm's newest site at www.SportsInsurance-kk.com.
Lori Windolf Crispo, senior vice president for the insurance brokerage firm Bollinger, based in Short Hills, N.J., agreed that one of the major benefits of technology is dealing with the increasing number of last-minute requests for insurance.
Due to the small-account nature of this niche, many specialists dealing with this line have become highly automated. In that respect, advised Ms. Crispo, buyers should be turning to a specialist in the field to deal with the intricacies of the coverage.
“Don't do all this work yourself. Let us do the work for you,” she said.
Whether it's an 11th-hour purchase or a sports official, coach or volunteer seeking information about insurance, the Web has become a very important component for this business, Ms. Crispo noted.
“Because people don't know a lot about it or want to shop for it, I think the Web has become very important,” Ms. Crispo said. “It has at least become a way for [clients] to find brokers who specialize in it, or want to specialize in it, or it's their local broker.”
The Bollinger sports site (accessed through www.bollingerinsurance.com or www.bollingersports.com for consumers, which went up recently and allows for credit card purchase of policies) is geared toward individuals seeking to buy insurance directly from the company, explained Ms. Crispo. However, she emphasized that as an MGA, Bollinger prefers dealing one-on-one with retail agents seeking to place coverage.
Information is not limited to insurance alone. Bollinger established a blog on sports safety at www.SportsSafetyIQ.typepad.com, and also makes available information about directors and officers exposure dealing with allegations of discrimination or professional misconduct.
“Every parent of a 12-year-old that doesn't make the team wants to sue you,” she remarked, adding that such suits are “frivolous, but they happen.”
Ian C. Garner, director of Camp & Youth Organization Relations with Markel Insurance, with a long history in this market, also cited the Glen Allen, Va.-based insurer's dedicated website at www.campinsurance.com.
The site contains an extensive amount of information on safety issues with “The Counselor” program. It also gives access to price-quotes, safety resources with its “Safety 1st Education Program” and bill-paying capabilities. There is a hotline number listed for 24-hour access to an experienced crisis response team.
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