The National Assn. of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) is partnering with Internet marketing firm Agoragate to give local agents an advantage when potential clients begin their searches for insurance online. The firm works with search engines to place microsites, profiles that are tied to each agent's geographic location and the website EnhanceInsurance.com, at the top of the search results when consumers enter key terms or phrases.

The Agoragate system attracts broader search terms such as “over 55 auto insurance” as well as searches containing the name of an agency or a specific location, making it much more likely to be prominently displayed than a single agency promoting itself online. Target Agoragate customers are those who have the best credit scores, highest net worth, and more complex insurance needs. These consumers will be placing the value of trusting their agents over the cheapest service available.

Insurance professionals in the area of the searcher's IP address will have their profiles displayed along with helpful information provided by EnhanceInsurance. Agoragate previously had success implementing a similar system for home contractors.