InsuranceJournal.com Goes Live with New Features, Breaking News
¥ About one-quarter of all p/c policies for homeowners will be sold online by 2003.
¥ Online insurance sales are expected to reach $4.1 billion in 2003 and grow to $6.3 billion by 2006.
¥ An estimated 40 percent of independent agents presently have Web sites, but only 17 percent use the Internet for marketing and 12 percent use it to generate sales leads.
Looking at these industry statistics, one thing was clear to the staff here at Insurance Journal: the insurance industry is finally getting aggressive on the Web. It was our cue to step up as well and expand our role as a support team for agents and brokers out there in the field.
On April 17, Insurance Journal officially relaunched its Web site, InsuranceJournal.com, and suddenly, staying on top of the latest happenings in the p/c industry is as easy as turning on your computer. The new site is designed to provide the most relevant, up-to-the-minute news, analysis, resources and sales tools, and from the rave reviews we’ve been getting from people who use the site daily, it’s serving its purpose.
The star of the new site is Today’s Breaking News, easily accessible on the Home page and updated daily by our staff in the U.S. and Europe so that you can be informed first thing in the morning. Just click on the area of your choice: National, International or Regional (West, Midwest, South or East), and get acquainted with the latest news. And yes, yesterday’s news is still good news-find it in the News Archives section.
To check out the editorial content of our latest issue, click on Our Publications. You can also access articles from past issues and search for topics by using the Keyword Search.
The most popular sections of the magazine are available in an expanded format on the Web, including New Markets (listing of new insurance markets and products), Meetings & Conventions (calendar of industry-related events worldwide), Classifieds (search for insurance job opportunities, products or services), and Tech Products (e-solutions, sites and high-tech products for the industry).
From the feedback we receive at trade shows and conventions, people really like to read about people! Get the scoop on what your friends, colleagues and the competition are up to in People & Places. After clicking on that button, you will also find The Social Page, a new addition that covers industry events and happenings. This is the place to post pictures of your agency’s open house, 25th anniversary or annual golf tournament, so send us all your social news!
Scope out the latest technological advance for your agency in the Automation Products & Vendors Directory, discover the perfect program in the Programs Directory or view the selection of providers in our Workers’ Compensation Directory.
For that hard-to-place risk, check out the Insurance Market Finder and the Excess, Surplus & Specialty Markets Directory. To add your listing, click on “create” and simply enter your information in our online forms.
If you’ve been musing about shifting your marketing strategy to incorporate a little online advertising, now’s your chance. InsuranceJournal.com offers colorful banner ads in a variety of sizes and locations. To get more info on rates and availability, click on Advertising Information. This is also the place to get a media kit and rate card for advertising in the magazine.
Need a little more guidance in the marketing world? Open up Sales Tools for some tips of the trade from various expert sources.
Other highlights of the site include: the Statistical Review (premiums and losses by line of business for Texas and the Western states), Subscriptions (online subscription forms to Insurance Journal West and Insurance Journal Texas), Links (live links to helpful industry sites), and Chat (a real-time insurance industry chat room).
The beauty of the new site is that we get to hear from you! Many of the sections have online forms available that you can fill out and e-mail back to us for fast, efficient communication. We will process the information and post it on the site within a week. Some of what is posted on the site will also appear in the print version of the magazine.
All of us at Insurance Journal are easily accessible through the About Us section. Find the person you want to contact and drop us an e-line! And while you’re at it, please take a moment to fill out our short Online Survey. Here’s one enthusiastic reader’s response:
Congratulations!
The new IJ format is incredibly improved over the old and, frankly, I can’t find any frustrations with it. Seriously, the diference really blows me away and for a new start-up brokerage your new scope will be invaluable. Again, congratulations on a job verrrrry verrrrry well done!!!!
Denn Corby
DFCORBY Insurance Marketing
Fullerton, Calif.
Our heritage and knowledge of the industry are unmatched and with the ease of navigation and functionality of the new site, we’re sure you’ll agree that there’s no better way to start your morning than by clicking on InsuranceJournal.com!