Agents’ Wish List for Carriers in 2009

The past year has brought down a lot of businesses and people — but not independent insurance agents. They’re still up … for the challenge, for the future, for whatever lies ahead.

Many independent agencies apparently think 2009 will be better than 2008. How could it not be? In response to a recent Insurance Journal survey, 42 percent reported that they were “somewhat confident” their agency would do better in 2009, while 27 percent said they were “very confident” the agency would fare better next year.

The other 27 percent who revealed they were “not very confident” that they would do better in 2009 might want to call the others to see what they know.

Agents aren’t going to improve in 2009 on their own. They need their carrier partners, who have more control over certain forces than do agents. So agents offered a few words of advice for their carrier partners on how they can help make next year a better year for everyone.

Here’s an independent agents’ wish list — a sort of dos and don’ts — for carriers for the New Year:

• “Stick to what you know best … insurance!”
• “Don’t follow the crowd. Look at our history and don’t continue to make the same mistakes in underwriting and pricing.”
• “Don’t create wild premiums swings upward from today’s premium. Steady, small increases will allow clients to renew and manage their businesses. We will all survive together with stability in the market.”
• “Return to sound underwriting principles and quit trying to cash flow underwrite.”
• “Hire and train solid underwriters that know what they are doing. My underwriters are lacking a ‘can do’ attitude. I’m not advocating reckless underwriting but want to see insurers more willing to work with us on behalf of the client.”
• “Remember — you exist to pay claims, not to seek ways to deny claims!”
• “Have the ‘what can we do to help you write insurance’ mentality.”
• “Trust us, like in the good old days when the agent had a rapport with the underwriter.”
• “Please come see how we do business from the agent’s perspective. You’d be amazed what we have to do!”
• “Select the ones [agencies] you want and kick the others to the curb, increasing the selectivity of their brand.”
• “Stop appointing every dog on every corner.”
• “Stay consistent and support technology that makes the job for agents easier. Focus on automation and improved efficiency with brokers and insureds.”
• “I would like to see an increase in commissions …”

And finally:

• “Don’t forget how you got where you are and who will keep you there.”

At Insurance Journal, we share independent agents’ optimism, and we know who our partners are — you! Times are tough in the publishing industry, but we are blessed with loyal readers and advertisers. From all of us at Insurance Journal, thanks for helping us get through the year and for giving us hope for 2009. Happy holidays and best wishes to all for a happy, healthy and profitable new year.

Topics Carriers Agencies Underwriting