Get with the Programs

If Insurance Journal readers have one consistent request it is for more information about available markets. No matter their agency size, history, politics or niche, readers like knowing about new opportunities for their own businesses, as well as about what the competition is doing.

Program marketing is one of the hottest topics among insurance opportunity seekers today. Just weigh this issue! Or attend a meeting of the fast-growing Target Markets association for program administrators.

There is other evidence as well.

Guy Carpenter & Company Inc., the global risk and reinsurance specialist that is a part of the Marsh & McLennan Companies, recently announced the results of a survey of domestic insurance companies that write a significant amount of program business through program administrators.

Readers should be pleased to know that the survey results suggest that “carriers are actively seeking new business and the market appears ready to expand–provided that current rate levels are maintained and there is sufficient and reliable program information.”

Some of the key findings of the Guy Carpenter report on program marketing include:

This issue of IJ, which includes first volume of our 14th annual Program Directory, will be followed on July 4 by an issue that looks at the Target Markets, the program administrators organization, and at how to go about building successful programs. Then in early December, we will publish our second volume of the Program Directory for 2005.

At Insurance Journal, we concur that the program marketing segment represents an attractive opportunity for agents, brokers and carriers. We hope we can pay a role in turning opportunity into reality for our readers and advertisers.