The Harleysville Insurance Companies has introduced a pilot program designed to send potential sales leads directly to its independent agents via the Internet.
By clicking on the company's Web site (www.harleysvillegroup.com) and a "Get quote" button, prospects can access the quote request section. They then answer basic questions about themselves (name, address, phone number, e-mail, etc.) and their insurance needs (personal, business, life, etc.). Harleysville automatically transmits an e-mail to an agent in the prospect's area who then contacts the prospect directly in order to obtain the additional information needed to furnish a quote.
If the prospect already has an agency or specifies an agency not included in the initial phase of the program, the lead is e-mailed to Harleysville's customer service department to forward to that agency.
Because this is a pilot program, it is not available in all states or with all agencies. Currently, it is available for personal lines, commercial lines and life insurance products in 24 states.
The Harleysville Insurance network, headquartered in Harleysville, Pennsylvania, has operations in 31 states.
Trumbull Services, LLC, a provider of outsourcing solutions to the insurance and financial industry, has expanded its role to include application service provider (ASP) capabilities. As an ASP, Trumbull offers systems for both commercial and personal lines policy administration, including businessowners policy (BOP), workers compensation, personal auto and homeowners, as well as systems for premium collection, premium billing and claim subrogation.
Trumbull's Windows-based/Web-enabled policy issuance systems operate in a client server environment and provide the capability to process all transactions including policy printing, while producing statistical data for each transaction. Clients will access the front end of this system over the Internet with the system residing on Trumbull's server. A client's own staff will control policy production.
Trumbull BOP and homeowners systems will be available in the second quarter, with workers compensation and personal lines auto to follow.
For more information about Trumbull Services, contact Beth Harris at (888) 410-2963, ext. 73824, or visit Trumbull Services' Web site (www.trumbull-services.com).
AMS Services introduced a new AMS for Windows (AfW) add-on product at the AMS Users' Group Conference in Las Vegas. The AfW Client Access module gives policyholders of AfW agencies password-controlled Internet access to their own account and policy information.
The module allows an insured to enter an agency assigned log-on ID and password from any Internet-enabled PC and gain access to his/her account. Once in, the insured can:
* view his/her own account, including contact and premium information
* view both current and two years of historical policy detail information
* view certificate and holder information, add a new holder, then print or fax the form.
The software will run on an NT server, using Microsoft's IIS software (Internet Information Server). Depending on the number of users, the software also can be set up to run on Microsoft's Small Business Server.
The AfW Client Access module has been beta tested during the first quarter of this year and will be in production during the second quarter. Applications and lines of business detail supported in this first release include property, glass & sign, general liability, business auto and commercial umbrella. If you are an AfW customer looking for additional information, or to learn more about AMS products and services, call (800) 444-4813 or visit the AMS Web site (www.ams-services.com).
Applied Systems, Inc., announced the formation of a strategic relationship with InSure Vision Technologies, LLC, a Sherman Oaks, California-based software development company. IVT develops SurePath, an automated surety bond processing system that delivers bonds via the World Wide Web. The partnership will enable integration between SurePath and Applied Systems' WinTAM and Vision products for the independent agent market.
SurePath is a Web-based carrier independent surety product that works with all sureties and all bond products. An agency can develop bond programs specific to each customer, and SurePath provides the common link. SurePath allows all three parties in the bonding transaction to collaborate. The agent, bonded party, and the surety may all access a common Web site where the bonded party's bond schedule, and the accompanying detail, is available.
For further information about SurePath, contact Applied Systems at (800) 999-5368, or InSure Vision Technologies at (818) 781-8733. *
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