partners in risk

The Importance of an Annual Insurance Review

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It is critical that every homeowner or business undertakes an annual insurance review. Regular reviews are equally essential to ensuring that your policy continues to be a good fit for your coverage needs and budget.

In a single year, a lot can happen that can have a significant impact on your insurance costs, coverage options, and limitations, among other things. Among these are the following:

  • Marrying or divorcing
  • Children graduating from high school/empty nest/child off to college
  • Beginning a new job
  • Recruitment of new employees
  • Purchase new commercial equipment
  • Establishing a new enterprise
  • Accepting elderly parents into your home
  • The acquisition or receipt of an ostentatious gift
  • Your immediate family member has died
  • Mortgage repayment

Is this to say that I must immediately contact my insurance agent whenever I purchase new furniture or a family member moves in for six months? Not always. While more significant changes (such as marriage, divorce, or the purchase of a new car) should be reported immediately, items such as upgrading your home entertainment system or upgrading your sound system can be reported during your annual insurance review.

While the massive national agencies spend millions on television ads and offer barebones policies, they do not know you. When your needs change or your situation complicates, you don’t want an automated phone tree or cold cyber-agent. You want to talk to compassionate, honest insurance experts – that’s our team. You shouldn’t have to spend hours researching and comparing policies. Let the specialists at Reichley guide you through the complex insurance industry.

Call today to alleviate the worry and get covered – (937) 429-0655.

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Improve Your Customer Service Experience

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Customers are the lifeblood of any business and should always take precedence. Customer experience enhancements result in a more loyal customer base. Loyal customers purchase more frequently, spend more, and recommend you to their friends and family. They leave positive reviews for customers. So how are you and your team going to accomplish this? The objective is not simply to have happy clients but also to have educated partners.

The customer experience can be defined by the interactions and experiences your customer has with your agency throughout the entire customer journey, from first contact to becoming a happy and loyal customer.

Several of the most frequent causes of negative customer experiences include the following:

  • Procurement procedures that are difficult
  • Negative customer service experiences
  • Compromise the personal security of a customer
  • Waiting an excessive amount of time on hold
  • Ignoring feedback from customers

Here are a few actions you can take to improve your customer service experience.

  1. Know your customers. The first step in customer service is to understand your customers’ needs, experiences, and expectations.
  2. Treat customers as you would want to be treated.
  3. Maintain personal, old-fashioned contact with clients. In an age of automation, being a little retro can have significant benefits for your business.
  4. Teach about risk and insurance, don’t just sell a policy.
  5. When a customer signs up for your free trial or purchases your product, do you reach out with a personalized email or send a thank you note.
  6. As we all know; successful businesses are those that maintain a high level of customer satisfaction. One of the most critical components of developing strong customer relationships is involving them in community or social events. When you include customers on your team and give them credit for your success, they feel valued and honored. It is a significant event for them.

While the massive national agencies spend millions on television ads and offer barebones policies, they do not know you. When your needs change or your situation complicates, you don’t want an automated phone tree or cold cyber-agent. You want to talk to compassionate, honest insurance experts – that’s our team. You shouldn’t have to spend hours researching and comparing policies. Let the specialists at Reichley guide you through the complex insurance industry.

Call today to alleviate the worry and get covered – (937) 429-0655.

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Top Cyber Risks For 2022

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The disruption generated by the COVID-19 epidemic has accelerated digital transformation among businesses and organizations worldwide in the last three years, a trend that experts believe in continuing in 2022. Cyberattacks affect everyone.  Here are cybersecurity dangers that firms should be prepared to manage in 2022, according to experts:

Supply chain attacks

According to experts, supply chain cyberattacks will continue to create new chances for cybercriminals this year.

Mobile devices

The COVID-19 epidemic also resulted in an increase in mobile device usage. Not only do remote users rely more heavily on mobile devices, but pandemic experts have also advocated for the widespread adoption of mobile wallets and touchless payment technology to reduce the spread of germs. Cybercriminals have a broader target when there is a more extensive user base.

Remote workers

A firewall, staff awareness, and tight policies and training, among other things, can be used to prevent basic cybersecurity risks within an organization’s setup. When people work remotely, however, putting in place cybersecurity precautions becomes more complicated. Sixty-eight percent of senior IT professionals believe their staff has picked up negative cyber-security behaviors when working from home.

Cloud Vulnerabilities

One could believe that the cloud will grow more secure as time passes, but this is not the case: Cloud vulnerabilities have increased by 159 percent in the last five years, according to IBM. Over 90% of the 29,000 breaches reviewed in Verizon’s DBIR were caused by web app breaches, according to the report.

While the massive national agencies spend millions on television ads and offer barebones policies, they do not know you. When your needs change or your situation complicates, you don’t want an automated phone tree or cold cyber-agent. You want to talk to compassionate, honest insurance experts – that’s our team. You shouldn’t have to spend hours researching and comparing policies. Let the specialists at Reichley guide you through the complex insurance industry.

Call today to alleviate the worry and get covered – (937) 429-0655.

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When To Call Your Insurance Agent

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We strongly believe in developing relationships with our customers. Insurance is not a product; it is a trusted relationship between the agent, insurer, and customer. We are always ready and willing to help you better understand your insurance and help with any questions you may have.

The Value of Your Local Independent Agent

  • Local independent insurance brokers can tailor your insurance coverage to your specific needs because they work directly with you and the insurance companies.
  • Insurance is what independent insurance agents live, think, and breathe. Because it’s their business, they’ll be able to explain any difficult policies or rate adjustments in a way you can trust. They’ve dealt with a variety of insurance providers throughout the years and are familiar with how each one operates.
  • Because your independent insurance agent is not employed by an insurance business, he or she is referred to as “independent.” They work with a variety of insurance carriers, but they are mostly focused on you!

Good Reasons To Connect With Your Agent

  • If you no longer live in your covered house, please contact us; your policy will need to be revised or amended to reflect this change.
  • If you purchase or receive new valuables such as jewelry, antiques, art, or collectibles, contact your insurance company to ensure you have adequate coverage.
  • You make the decision to work from home (home-based business). A basic business insurance policy might be necessary to protect you and your new venture.
  • You may need to make adjustments to your home insurance coverage if the people who live with you or in your home change. Your auto insurance rates may be affected by changes in your household.
  • Significant renovation or additions to your property will almost certainly necessitate a change in the amount of dwelling coverage on your home insurance policy.
  • Insurance is required for vacation homes, cabins, rental properties, hunting land, and leased property. Please contact us if you are interested in purchasing a new property or making changes to an existing one.

If you have any questions about your insurance; please call our office; we are here to help.

While the massive national agencies spend millions on television ads and offer barebones policies, they do not know you. When your needs change or your situation complicates, you don’t want an automated phone tree or cold cyber-agent. You want to talk to compassionate, honest insurance experts – that’s our team. You shouldn’t have to spend hours researching and comparing policies. Let the specialists at Reichley guide you through the complex insurance industry.

Call today to alleviate the worry and get covered – (937) 429-0655.

 

 

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How Insurance Agents Can Deliver Wow Customer Service

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To ensure that your customers feel valued and appreciated, you need to provide wow customer service. Excellent customer service entails a number of traits. Today’s business climate is highly competitive. In terms of features, products agencies generally compete head-to-head. When things are too identical, the customer service and the agent’s ability to create a real relationship make the difference.

Here is what agent should do to build strong relationships

Place your clients’ needs above selling a policy.

Insurance is not a product. It is a promise and a trusted relationship. Here at Reichley Insurance Agency, we are not going to sell you something you don’t need. We want to talk to you, determine your needs, and get you covered at the right price.

Educate don’t sell.

Your goal is to educate you so you can make informed decisions. The more they know, the better decisions they will make. It gives you better value out of your insurance.

Know your product or service.

You must know what you’re offering inside and out to deliver excellent customer service. Make sure you and your front-line employees understand how your products or services work. Be aware of the most often asked queries by consumers and know how to respond in a way that will satisfy them. Understand that there are not one size fits all insurance products.

Listen to your clients.

One of the most basic techniques of customer service is to listen. It entails listening to both what your consumers say and what they are communicating nonverbally. Keep an eye out for signals of dissatisfaction and pay attention to what they say directly to you.

Ask for feedback and receive it.

To make the feedback you receive from clients helpful in your customer care process, you must do something with it. Take the time to examine feedback regularly, find areas for development, and implement specific changes in your company.

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Proven Ways To Build Strong Insurance Relationships

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The partnership between an insurance agent, an insurer, and a client is one of the most important in the industry. Carriers and the underwriters create policies and take on risks for insureds, whereas brokers assist their clients in finding the best insurance policies and carriers for their needs.

The independent agent and broker are the industry’s backbone. They are the primary channel of distribution for commercial property and casualty insurance.

How To Build And Maintain Strong Relationships

Don’t base your relationship on technology

Technology is good and effective tool for both the agent and their clients. But don’t make technology so important that any personal communication is lost.

Follow Through

Agents should build strong relationships with their clients by following through on their commitments and being communicative in the event that something changes, in addition to offering services and advice that help insureds avoid losses. If you say you’re going to do something, you must do it. If you can’t do it, you say, ‘I’m not going to be able to meet the commitment,’ and then you set a new expectation.

Focus on more than just pricing

When it comes to building a strong relationship with insurance agents, one thing that stands out above all else is the need to add value that goes beyond offering competitive insurance prices. When comparing options today, insureds should look for an agent who will not only provide the coverages they require but will also serve as a risk management partner.

Be Consistent

Consistency is essential in all aspects of communication and service. It establishes a pattern that customers can expect, which helps to highlight your value proposition and enhance the customer experience. Simply personalize interactions by framing conversations and messaging in less “scripted” ways. According to one survey, most marketers fail to personalize communication beyond digital channels. Get more customer-specific the next time you pick up the phone. It should contribute to the relationship’s strengthening.

The customer, regardless of the insurance company, ultimately looks to you, the agent, for advice, service, and responsiveness. Regardless of the shifting strategies and focuses in today’s insurance markets, remember to prioritize your customer relationships first, and you’ll find yourself building a book of business that will last for a long time.

While the massive national agencies spend millions on television ads and offer barebones policies, they do not know you. When your needs change or your situation complicates, you don’t want an automated phone tree or cold cyber-agent. You want to talk to compassionate, honest insurance experts – that’s our team. You shouldn’t have to spend hours researching and comparing policies. Let the specialists at Reichley guide you through the complex insurance industry.

Call today to alleviate the worry and get covered – (937) 429-0655

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2022 Insurance Planning

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It will be imperative to evaluate your personal insurance program now that 2022 is approaching. Before buying insurance, most consumers don’t take the time to consider their exposures, options, or present financial situation. It’s critical to take stock of your own finances in order to plan for the future.

It is equally important to work with your agent to help you understand what kind of insurance you are buying and why you are buying it. A good agent will educate you on your risk and help you determine what coverage you need and what coverage you may not need.

Remember insurance is not a product, it is a relationship. The more you know the better decisions you can make.  These are things your agent needs to be talking to you about. If they don’t call you, call them to set up a meeting to review your risk, insurance, and coverage.

  • Make Sure That You Are Dealing With A Licensed Insurance Agent – Insurance companies and agents are both required to be licensed by the state, and their information may be found online at the state’s insurance department. Most state insurance departments have resources online to aid you in choosing the correct insurance and ensuring that the person or organization you’re dealing with is an expert in that field.
  • Examine Your Automobile, Home, and Personal Liability Limits – If your policy limits are less than $100,000, you may be able to cover your legal liabilities in the event of a claim or accident. Anyone with any assets or income to protect should get minimum liability coverage of $500,000 to $1 million or more. You will find the cost of higher limits is very competitively priced.
  • Recognize The Risks And Coverage You Require – Every property, home and family is unique and comes with its own set of risks. For example, the type of insurance required will also be determined by whether the property is utilized as a primary residence, a long-term or short-term rental, or a condominium. In general, homeowner’s insurance is intended to protect against dangers beyond the owner’s control, such as rain, wind, fire, vandalism, pipe bursts, falling objects, theft caused by broken glass, and so on.
  • Keep a Home Inventory — Keeping an accurate inventory of your personal belongings will help you recover faster in the event of a loss.
  • Bundle Your Insurance – Save money by combining your vehicle, house, and umbrella policies with one insurer.
  • Choose the Right Deductible – A greater deductible lowers your premium, but you’ll be responsible for more out-of-pocket expenses in the event of an accident. If you have a clean driving record and no accidents, you might choose to take a chance and pay a higher premium. The benefit for taking this risk might be as much as a 40% discount. 
  • Consider Identity Theft — One of the fastest-growing crimes in the United States is identity theft.
  • Read Your Policy – I’m not referring to the 1-2 page Declarations Page that serves solely to demonstrate coverage, but rather the 20-30-page insurance Binder or Policy that provides the specifics of the coverage and exclusions. Nobody enjoys reading insurance policies, so don’t be surprised if you don’t comprehend them.
  • Purchase from a financially stable business — Your insurance coverage is only as good as the firm that backs it up. The insurance firm should be rated “A+” or better.

Insurance is not a product. It is a promise and a trusted relationship. Here at Reichley Insurance Agency, we are not going to sell you something you don’t need. We want to talk to you, determine your needs, and get you covered at the right price. You want to talk to compassionate, honest insurance experts – that’s our team. You shouldn’t have to spend hours researching and comparing policies. Let the specialists at Reichley guide you through the complex insurance industry.

Call today to alleviate the worry and get covered – (937) 429-0655.

 

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How Agents Can Become Partners With Their Clients

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For an agency to grow truly sustainable, it is critical to accomplish two things, sell insurance and develop and maintain strong client relationships. It is common for agency to concentrate their efforts on acquiring new customers but neglect building strong relationships with their clients. There is a balance that every agency employee needs to manage in order for the agency to thrive. These are some actions to help agents keep that balance.

Be Transparent

Transparency is critical for developing trust with clients and begins with effective communication. Maintain an open line of communication with your clients. Early on, have direct conversations to discuss and establish expectations. One point to discuss is the price you will charge and the services you will provide. Additionally, you should discuss your security policies and how you intend to safeguard their information. Inform them of your offerings and solicit their feedback on how you can best meet their needs. Engagement letters can be beneficial in this situation. You should outline expectations for both parties in the engagement letter to ensure that you are on the same page from the start.

Be Available

Making time for your clients demonstrates your appreciation for them. This does not mean you should stop everything the moment they contact you. Communicate openly and honestly that you have other clients and obligations but still want to be there for them. Establish effective methods of communication through which your clients can contact you. You should collaborate to determine the most effective method of communication, whether it is via email, a client portal, text message, over the phone, or in person. When they contact you, promptly respond to their questions, concerns, and requests.

Be Dependable

Assure your clients that they can rely on you. Complete your work on time. Be thorough and precise in everything you do. Regardless of the size of the task, give it your all. Communicate any issues or complications to your clients. Additionally, you should communicate plainly that you are in control of the situation.

Remember that communication is critical to developing a trustworthy relationship; speak with your clients to ascertain their top priorities and then incorporate their preferences into your workflow. A little bit of deliberate listening can go a long way toward establishing respect and appreciation.

You want to talk to compassionate, honest insurance experts – that’s our team. You shouldn’t have to spend hours researching and comparing policies. Let the specialists at Reichley guide you through the complex insurance industry.

Call today to alleviate the worry and get covered – (937) 429-0655.

 

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Can The Holidays Bring Added Risk?

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Personal Insurance Update

Did you get an ugly tie or sweater last year for Christmas? If this Christmas is a repeat of last year, the good news is that you can probably exchange the gift for something you can actually use. However, many other ugly things can happen during the holidays that you may not be able to take back. While the holiday season is a great time to celebrate with family and friends, it can also lead to fire, theft, and losses that will dampen your holiday spirit.

Now would be a good time to have us review your personal insurance to make sure you understand your coverage, and provide optional coverage for you to consider.

Typical Holiday Mishaps

House fires – Due to increased use of electrical cords, home fires rise during November and December. Make sure you use only UL approved appliances and electrical cords. Do not over-use outlets to string inside or outside lights. If you have a natural tree, keep it watered. Invest in a fire extinguisher, and keep it in the kitchen. The median cost of fire damage due to candles and fireplace claims can be around $9,000.

Theft –Criminals love the holiday season because they know you may have expensive items in your home. Keep your doors locked. Do not place gifts next to windows. It is not necessary to post all your holiday purchases on social media. Criminals love to “like” your posts, and then steal your gifts.

Use of alcohol – Resist the pressure to drink or serve alcohol at every social event. Designate a driver before the party begins. Offer non-alcoholic beverages at your party.

We are committed to providing clients with the highest quality insurance plans available combined with some of the lowest possible rates. Whether you are shopping for auto insurance, home insurance, life or business insurance, we can help you obtain the best coverage available at the lowest rate possible.

While the massive national agencies spend millions on television ads and offer barebones policies, they do not know you. When your needs change or your situation complicates, you don’t want an automated phone tree or cold cyber-agent. You want to talk to compassionate, honest insurance experts – that’s our team. You shouldn’t have to spend hours researching and comparing policies. Let the specialists at Reichley guide you through the complex insurance industry.

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Remote Workers And Cyber Security Risks

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There are more remote workers in American today than at any time in our recent history. Many employers are embracing this trend, but there are new risks to consider. As a result of this distant work environment, a crucial problem arises in new security threats. In our digital age, businesses have had to improve their cybersecurity, yet cybersecurity dangers have increased significantly due to remote labor. Employees who work from home are at a significantly higher risk than those who work in offices.

Ransomware attacks are also a big concern for more than two-thirds (69%) of IT executives, who anticipate that the hybrid workplace will be a target for ransomware. Targeted organizations faced a threat to their business continuity as a result of these attacks.

Sharing a computer and using it for personal purposes are two different things. It may seem self-evident, but sharing a business computer with family or roommates can be a security concern. This should be avoided at all costs, especially if your work result contains sensitive customer information.

Cyber Tips For Remote Workers

  • Keep devices patched and up-to-date.
  • Accommodate the increase of remote VPN workers.
  • Proved employee training.
  • Require passwords to be updated regularly, use PW managers.
  • Use cloud software for file management.
  • Use only secure Wi-Fi.
  • Have good backup systems

Have a good cyber liability insurance plan in place. Cyber liability insurance is a type of insurance that offers a variety of coverage choices to help organizations protect themselves from data breaches and other cyber security risks. It’s not a question of whether, but when your company will be hacked. Policyholders with cyber insurance can also use tools and services to manage and minimize cyber risk both before and after a breach.

For remote employees, cybersecurity necessitates ongoing monitoring. Give us a call if you’re concerned about your present remote security practices. We’ll examine and put safeguards in place that will allow your remote workers to work securely and productively.

While the massive national agencies spend millions on television ads and offer barebones policies, they do not know you. When your needs change or your situation complicates, you don’t want an automated phone tree or cold cyber-agent. You want to talk to compassionate, honest insurance experts – that’s our team. You shouldn’t have to spend hours researching and comparing policies. Let the specialists at Reichley guide you through the complex insurance industry.

Call today to alleviate the worry and get covered – (937) 429-0655.