No business owner enjoys paying for insurance. Not only is it expensive, but it's expensive and something that you hope you'll never actually have to use. Your insurance agent can help make paying for insurance less costly by implementing loss control strategies, educating your employees on workplace safety, and utilizing their relationships with carriers.
These are all valuable services and it's good to have an agent that makes paying your premiums slightly less painful, but it's still money that's going to out the door and the only way it usually comes back into your business is if you have a claim. However, your insurance agent, with just a little effort, is very capable of creating a scenario where money comes back into your business regardless. Here are three ways.
- Introduce You to Potential Customers. Perhaps as much as anyone, your insurance agent is uniquely capable of directly introducing you to potential clients. More than likely they work with at least a few businesses, and probably several that could be potential customers to you. If your insurance agent opens these doors for you simply by making an introduction, then it could lead to you acquiring a valuable customer. If they turn into a long term customer then suddenly your insurance agent has helped offset some of the money you pay them in premium every year.
- Host Networking Events. One good way for your insurance agent to introduce you to potential customers is by hosting networking events. Getting introduced to potential customers in a laid back and social environment like networking events can be much more productive than getting introduced in other scenarios. They are also good for establishing other useful business relationships and exchanging ideas with like-minded professionals (or if nothing else they are a good opportunity to take advantage of some free food and cocktails!).
- Provide News and Information That Affects Your Company. When talking about change and insurance the first thing that comes to mind is the Affordable Care Act. Your insurance agent is responsible for helping you navigate through the growing regulations and making sure you are in compliance. But there is another world outside of insurance that doesn't quite have as big of an impact on your business as the ACA might but is just as fluid - Search Engine Optimization. Where your company appears in online search results is more important than ever and Google is constantly making changes to its algorithm that could affect where your business appears in these results. More and more insurance agencies are employing digital marketing experts to make sure their agency's website remains Google-friendly. Since these people are already clued in on when these changes are happening they could easily keep your business apprised so that you can keep your website Google-friendly as well. By doing so, they can help ensure that when potential customers search for your products or services online, your business will appear.
Obviously your insurance is your agent's first and foremost responsibility, but by offering these things in addition to handling your insurance needs they are opening doors that could help facilitate growth for your business. Expecting them to do this not asking much either. Not only are they are in as good a position as anyone to do so, but it's also a good way for them to show they appreciate your business.
For insurance questions or any other inquiry email Ryan at rhanigan@congalins.com or call at 630-810-9100 ext. 155.
