Agency Technology

PropertyCasualty360.com's Agent & Broker Channel Editor Laura M. Toops is twittering every day about breaking news and timely topics—not to mention keeping readers up to date on agent and broker-related news and analysis being posted on PropertyCasualty360.com.

Well known from a series of videos as the Foremost “Insurance Guy,” Bair talks about Foremost’s new Social Media Suitcase, an online tool for agents providing a complete toolkit and content for getting involved in social media

As far as going direct, it depends on the line of business. When you get into the more complex lines—at least on the property/casualty side—you don’t see [the direct channel], but for the personal lines—particularly personal auto—there is definitely more inclination to go direct.

FEMA is now set up to use Twitter for all stages of an emergency.

Laura M. Toops provides insight on new growth.

One of the things that has fascinated me in covering the insurance industry in these changing times is the evolving relationship carriers have with their agent/partners.

One of the things that has fascinated me in covering the insurance industry in these changing times is the evolving relationship carriers have with their agent/partners.

Question-answering systems such as IBM's "Jeopardy!"-winning Watson are only 3-to-5 years away from general business usage. What is the implication for insurance agents? AA&B Editor Laura Toops talks to Jamie Bisker, IBM industry solutions representative, about both the fears and the anticipation surrounding the advance of this new technology.