Tag Archives: savings

03.09.16
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The most powerful paragraph in insurance

AKA  My and the Insurance/Banking industry’s simultaneous biggest problem and opportunity

AKA What #insurtech should be trying to solve but outside of me and maybe some people I have not found yet, is not.

Really it is two paragraphs.  One that comes from a standard document that you’ll find in your policy forms. Yes, I know you likely do not read them.  Also, the version in your state may be different.  The other is a direct quote via an email.  I see or hear variations of the second one every week.  So here goes;

In connection with this insurance, we previously used a credit report or obtained or used a credit based insurance score based on information contained in that report.  We may obtain or use credit information again provided, however, that upon renewal such information may only be used to reduce premiums.  An insurance score uses information from your credit report to help predict how often you are likely to file claims and how expensive those claims will be.  Typical items from a credit report that could affect a score include, but are not limited to, the following; payment history, number of revolving accounts number of new accounts, the presence of collection accounts,bankruptcies, and foreclosures.  The information used ot develop the insurance sore comes from Transunion.  If you have any questions about the use of credit information in insurance underwriting, you can contact us at 1-800-***-**** or write us at p.o. box______________ or via fax at 877-***-****,  When you write us, please include your name and policy number.

Here are a series of questions I am pondering;

So when negotiating for this right, did companies really just build in a “backdoor” to cover them if it didn’t work?  Think about it; if this was so accurate why do they reserve the right to raise your rates after claims?
Is this really a “customer centric”approach?
Why don’t they actively use this awesome tool to retain you as a customer?
Depending on what blog or newsletters you read, depending on who you follow, depending on who you work with/for you’ll catch almost the  “excuse of the week” when it comes to fixing the personal insurance marketplace.  The saturation point of unexecuted thoughts and ideas has been reached a long time ago.  I prefer things much simpler; acquire customers, take care of them, keep them.  By keep them I mean BY ALMOST ANY MEANS NECESSARY.  I like to think I follow a good cross section of people/companies.  Yet they all see to alternate what the excuse is for not being able to help the customer.  So many are focused on new business and will spend whatever time and money necessary to get it but most overlook what they have already.  Silly and sad…..but creates an awesome opportunity.
2.  “Billy,
Why would the rate go up 50$ shouldn’t it decrease over time? No tickets, no accidents… Is there anyway to lower the rate? It just doesn’t sound kosher that the rate they want now would be more then the initial payment with XYZ, then the second payment decreased to around 680$ which I’m fine with… “
Quick Back story for you insurance people; came to me as uninsured, single, male.  I was thrilled with the rate he obtained. Then, for the next six months his rate went down, then after that period his rate went up.  In the meantime, as I do, I checked my markets to see if anything better was available.  His rate, although inexplicable raised, was still the best I could offer.  
 
His logic is completely sound.  This is, sadly, the once accepted but should no longer be acceptable, norm.  This method of doing business is exactly what is allowing newer companies to come in and try and “disrupt” and old system.  Crap like this is why your agent might be pounding you with a useless newsletter or article.  This kind of behavior is not considered acceptable in any of your other buying experiences, why do we as a society allow it to continue?  
 
The short answer is I don’t…but more often than not am outnumbered.  The odds are long, but the payoff is massive.  Based on my(my company’s) growth rate, people like the way I do business.  But currently we come up short with technology and people power and to not bore you with analogies, it’s just tough.
 
Take from this what you want.  I gain more answers and fine tune things almost daily.  Almost daily I am also inundated with silly reports and nonsense being pushed by marketers and companies onto my fellow agents.  Such is life…currently.  I/We keep moving forward.  Actually close to a pretty massive move/shift that will greatly accelerate things.
 

An aside that is sort of related; A long ways back it was a Monday afternoon and a coach was giving us JV’ers a pep talk.  During this we watched the other team line up and he pointed out a couple of very large people.  He was very quick to point out, if they are so big and bad why are they playing on JV?  Yup, simple, profound and very logical.

I think  of this after just about every article, white paper or study I read.  If the people writing or being quoted know so much about how insurance is bought and sold, maybe they should start their own insurance brokerage or go to work for a broker or company?  The reality is things might accelerate if they did.

ONE HUNDRED MILLION or more people will benefit from these changes, would you like to help me?

08.02.15
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Rethinking claims and the causes

***Working thought, from an idea via a longtime friend***

So the scenario is quite common, friend calls and says they want to have some tree work done on their property.  Pretty common.  You can also insert, new roof, new furnace, upgrade to electric panel, drainage dug, fire alarm installed, etc.  Think of it as any proactive, likely preventive measure that can reduce the likelihood and at worse the severity of a claim.

“Bill, is there an extra discount for cutting down the trees?  Will they(the insurance company) pay for it?  ”    No and No.

Why not?  Well, in theory, this is your responsibility.  Maintain your home.  Home insurance is not a maintenance policy.  Nor should it become one.  On the other hand, if we are engaged in this great mutual enterprise of protection, of a partnership with a set of people, why aren’t we working together.

What to we do first?  I think we come up with a pretty comprehensive list of items that can be done that can reduce or sometimes eliminate the likelihood of common claims;

  • Annual home inspection by a certified home inspector
  • Gutter maintenance
  • Improving or adding better drainage
  • Keeping trees/tree limbs off a certain perimeter of the home
  • Insect/animal inspections and preventive measures
  • Alarm systems; fire, smoke, co2, central alarms, mobile monitoring
  • Nest type thermostat with temperature sensors
  • Documented annual cleaning/inspection of wood stoves and fire places
  • etc.

Then set up a pretty basic incentive structure.  Say a $20 annual credit to be applied to your premium for completing 1-3 of these.  $30 for 4-6, etc.  Or maybe a deductible credit.  Right now it is popular to diminish/waive a deductible after a period of years.  This is nice but does it really make sense?  Is it something the customer can see/feel/touch/SHARE right now?  NO it is not.   Maybe doing something big like tree removal/pruning or a new furnace or a new roof gets you a $20 a year credit for say 5 years?  *Yes, some are already doing a roof discount**   Lets expand this.

Let’s get better relationships in place with say Angie’s List, Home Advisor or other similar site.  In theory, they are already filtering the good contractors from the bad, why replicate their effort?  No need.

If used properly this can be a massive retention tool as well as loss ratio reducer at the broker/agent level.   This will also help the carrier.  Not to mention, this is something actually worth talking about.  It is a positive incentive that can put more money back into the local economy while creating a marketing activity worth talking about.  Seriously, enough of this overplayed and diluted discount non-sense.

Thanks for considering.  Open to your thoughts.

12.06.13
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Math and value and flood insurance

Woke up early and was immediately thinking about one of my last conversations yesterday.  Let’s start with some math;

If you spend $1000 and in return I lower the cost of something by about $3000 what could you consider your return on investment(roi)?  $2000 not bad.  Not bad at all.

So in the first year of this new product you saved $2000 by spending $1000.  Now in the second year(assuming current numbers stay the same) you actually save $3000 since you do not spend the $1000 again.  So you have now made $5000 by investing $1000.  500% return.

Now let’s say you need to keep that product for 10 years so $2000 the first year plus $3000 *12 = $36,000 for a total of $38,000 . **Average time in a home is 13 years** All because you invested $1000.

DISCLAIMER; This is math based on the current situation in flood insurance.  Where a provisional rate is approximately $6000 but if  you invest $1000 there is a very good chance you will see that reduced by about $3000.  With this being a brand new situation(roughly 4 months old) it is to early to make these figures more accurate.

**Real Estate version;

Is not spending $1000 worth losing a buyer?

Is not spending $1000 worth delaying a sale…and possibly losing the buyer?

Is not spending $1000 today worth saving maybe $38,000?

This is no different than upgrading your bathroom, lighting, landscape, paint, etc.

So at the present time here is my explanation as to why I will not guarantee the above; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MGTq0QHWCQ

Let’s look at it another way; DEDUCTIBLE math

So you are getting $250,000 in coverage and want the same $1000 deductible as your home.  Your rate is $6370 BUT factor in you think FEMA is nuts (they are) and you firmly believe there will be NO FLOOD at your home.  So you take a $5000 deductible.  New rate of  $4988 savings of $1382.  The math looks weird, you take on $4000 more in risk but this year you save $1382 plus year two $1382 plus year three and what do you know you are now in the clear (assuming you saved this savings)  risk averted.

Remember insurance is an exchange of risk.  Flood rates are nuts because people were not paying enough into the big pool of insurance.  The only act of government that I believe will fix this is when the government GETS OUT OF THE FLOOD INSURANCE BUSINESS.

When deciding on how to spend your insurance budget don’t just settle for what the crowd says is right.  Your willingness to take on more risk is rewarded with a savings which you should value.  Especially if you place no value on the flood insurance you have to buy.

Just some thoughts.  Please open your mind to some new ideas.

 

05.20.13
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Big portions = insurance discounts

Stumbling through any amount of commercials can be entertaining and also very revealing.   Many times entertainment takes precedent over information.  Actually more times than not things are done to get your attention in the hopes that  you will provide some attention/dollars to their product.

I have harped on insurance discounts for a while, bottom line is any list of discounts you can provide does not out do your characteristics.  Your credit score, education, residence and marital status mean way more than all the discounts.  But talking about this, the facts, is not appealing so we disguise it with discounts.  Same thing with food.

Everyone is different, my household prefers the produce from farm markets and local markets to big chain stores.  Having tried both  the local is just better and the cost is comparable.  This is true with meat as  well.  Local, grass fed meats are just better.

So what does this have to do with insurance?

Watch restaurant advertising; none of the dishes you see on T.V. or in print ever look like what you get?  Does getting a portion big enough for two people add value or take away?  If you can get three courses for $9.99 don’t you ever wonder what exactly are they serving you?

Look for VALUE not “deals”

Value means you are paying a sum  of money that you feel is fair for what you get in return.  If you spend a little more than average but the chef is better, the atmosphere is better and the meal is memorable  that is value.  If your insurance agent actually has ideas and a plan and is not just taking your info, putting it into a computer and then spitting out a “quote”  that is value.

Just an early thought.

04.03.13
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Is time the best Insurance Discount?

It might be.  It might also be the most under used and least asked about.

If you are between the ages of 16 and 25 your lack of time on this planet is a reason why you spend more on insurance.  BUT what if you pay attention?  Maybe you start on your parents policy and make sure they have solid coverage so when it is time to switch you are in a better position.  Then, typically after three years of being licensed, it is time to shop.  Now just stay on top of things because you get a little older you can likely improve your rate, assuming a clean to fairly clean record.

What about the rest of us?

Ask yourself this, How much is your loyalty worth?  In my opinion your loyalty is priceless.  That being said, how many physical dollars is your loyalty to a company costing you?  Could be hundreds if not thousands of dollars.  How does this happen?  Well, many people get lulled into thinking that staying with a company for a long period of time is some how beneficial. **Please get this in writing and show it to me***

I appreciate your loss free discounts, deductible rewards, bonus checks and whatever else may be the hot marketing flavor of the day.  Key word in there is MARKETING.  These are ploys to get you to stay around so you are less aware of what you are spending.

FACT: YOU SHOULD BE REVIEWING YOUR INSURANCE EVERY 12-18 MONTHS

That remains unchanged.  So why would you trade your loyalty and time for a potentially higher insurance rate?  No idea.  Might I suggest an alternative;

Look at what your insurance costs, typically best to think of the policies that tend to go together; auto, motorcycle, home, boat, umbrella, RV, rental property.  Basically where you live, what you drive and the things that go along with that.  Now see what the whole package costs, this is important.  Once you know your bottom line lets see how that goes up against your budget or more specifically what you would like it to be.  Now you can take advantage of any leverage you may have because of the policies you have in place.

FACT: MULTI-POLICY DISCOUNTS CAN BE WONDERFUL……

BUT

FACT: THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH USING MULTIPLE COMPANIES TO MAKE A SOLID PLAN

Now, it is important to know, just because a company can do a lot of advertising doesn’t mean they are worth you giving them more than a year or two.  PLEASE do not allow marketing to influence your bottom line.  Instead establish your own baseline for what your package should cost than make the company earn your dollars by staying consistent over time.

LOYALTY IS EARNED NOT BOUGHT

Just some suggestions.

 

 

04.02.13
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Price versus value

Want to change the discussion from Price to value?  STOP ADVERTISING PRICE.  Advertising on price is the easy way.  It is basically telling the consumer we are a commodity and can not come up with anything original that might bring some value to your life.

Want some evidence?  Follow your mail for a month and count the generic garbage being put in front of you that thinks your only concern is price. Even worse , I received the same exact awful letter from four different State Farm agents.  Not only is it an awful, demeaning marketing piece but why does State Farm allow there agents to cannibalize each other?

Even worse continued; A local Allstate agent sends a ridiculous letter.  First it is on cheap yellow paper, color is ok but please invest in your marketing if you want a return.  This was a solicitation for home insurance yet they had obviously not looked for new information; I was sent a home replacement cost of $200,000, currently my coverage is at  $300,000.  Also, I have never been at $200,000 and every estimator I know of would never have even come close.    That is bad marketing and pretty irresponsible; Why would I want to hire you?  A couple of lines down is $100,000 in liability coverage.  Seriously, let’s look at this agent’s policy and see if she has $100,000 in liability.  Lot’s of bad to be thought about as an insurance agent but if this is a solicitation why would I call someone that put together such awful numbers.

In both these samples the agents did not even attempt to bring any value to me or whomever else received the letter.  If you want results you need to apply some effort.  If all you can talk about is price maybe you should talk to your customers more and find out what they want to here, maybe even why they hired you.

IF YOU CANNOT BRING VALUE DON”T LEAN ON THE CRUTCH THAT IS PRICE.  INSTEAD FIGURE OUT HOW TO BRING VALUE SO YOU DO NOT NEED A CRUTCH.

Yes, it is easy.  Unless of course you consider giving some effort hard.  Either way just some thoughts.

05.22.12
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So you want a lower rate…

  • Improve your credit score…huge factor can make a bad driving record irrelevant
  • get a college degree…it helps but not everyone
  • own a home/condo..helps a lot and gets a multi-policy savings
  • take a defensive driving course..boring but profitable
  • make a point to review ANNUALLY
  • Know the value of your car…Do you still need physical damage coverage?
  • Be loyal to a good agent not a company….nuff said
  • take higher coverage…you’ll look better when shopping

Insurance has been commoditized set your coverage plan than your rate!!!

11.22.10
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Saving money is bad…sometimes

You hear it constantly on the radio and T.V. It shows up in your mail on a weekly if not daily basis, heck a banner ad probably popped up before you even got here.  Each insurance company quoting exactly how much money they can save you or how many discounts are available and rarely getting specific on coverage.

Yes, I think saving money can be bad.

If you have not taken the time to review your insurance plans on a regular basis you may actually be saving too much money.  Yes I just said too much money.

Having watched insurance cycles for 8 years it is reasonable to save in the neighborhood of $200-$300 simply by a change in the market.  This, in my opinion, is ok.  If you are saving more than this you may have missed a change in the market.

So, step 1 is establish you and/or your family’s base line of coverage.  Step 2 schedule the time every 12 to 18 months to review your coverage and review your rate to make sure it is still competitive.  Saving a few hundred dollars is good but saving much more than that just means you have not kept up with your regular insurance reviews.

Update 5/13/15

The more things change the more things stay the same.  The industry is getting close to taking advantage of this massive opportunity.   That’s correct, the inherent laziness of humans combined with an old and tired purchasing structure is a massive opportunity.  Good things should be coming soon.  The savings, on the surface, will look smaller.  The reality is your average price over a ten year period will be better.

10.29.10
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Discounts or advertising

Enough already with “…with discounts up to 40%” or “..15mintues can save you…”  or ” the more policies you have the more discounts…”

  • Is it really a discount if your base rate is too high, to begin with? 
  • Is it really a discount if you have to purchase a policy you don’t already have to get it? 
  • Would you only give your accountant, doctor, lawyer or even your mechanic only 15 minutes to review something that can affect you, your family, your livelihood and your wallet? 

FACT, every company I have encountered offers the usual four discounts your car qualifies for; anti-lock brakes, airbags, daytime running lamps and alarm systems when it comes to cars.  Maybe you get another discount for using your car a limited amount of mileage, national average is about 12,000 miles per year.  Maybe you get a multi-car discount if you own additional cars.  After this, it starts to get interesting which makes it almost impossible to accurately compare companies.  Be careful, ask lots of questions and review your policy each year.

5/12/2015  Updates

The lesson here is the statements above really have not changed.  Rating engines(the algorithm behind the companies) are more sophisticated than when the post was written.  What does that mean?  It means that the percentages and advertised discounts are less important than they were at the time of this post. There can be wild swings in your rate but this is more based on changes to your personal status and chaaracteristics than anything else.

The larger companies still have not learned how to advertise their “product” and have instead allowed it to become commoditized.  This is actually a good thing for you despite the confusion.

Beyond that, the facts are the same; determine the coverage levels you are comfortable with.  Shop accordingly.  Plan on remaining in the upper portion of the available market instead of trying to find the lowest.  You’ll save less money by overshopping than you will be doing a reasonable amount of shopping.