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partners in risk

The Value of Giving Back In Business

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The truth of being a business owner is that juggling day-to-day operations with long-term objectives consumes the majority of your time and energy. It’s easy to let giving back fall by the wayside if you don’t have a solid plan in place to truly incorporate it into your business strategy. Do you recall your first experience sharing as a child? Most parents educate their children that they must share their toys if they want others to play with them. This is a crucial lesson that we often overlook as adults, and it applies to a wide range of situations.

There are so many ways to incorporate this idea into your business. It does not have to be giving a lot of money. Often giving of your experience or expertise can add significant value to others.

Here are a few ideas

  • Find ways to offer your services pro bono. Maybe as an agent, you can offer to review a local business’s insurance without any obligation on the business’s part.
  • Be willing to speak at the local Chamber or other nonprofit.
  • Engage your team. Creating a giving culture at work has its advantages regarding employee engagement. It also gives employees a greater sense of ownership in the organization they work for.
  • Join a nonprofit board. Nonprofits are continuously looking for successful executives to join their boards of directors. A position like this allows you to control the organization’s course while also allowing you to leverage your network to collect funding for it.

The potential to make a difference is the most basic benefit of donating or setting aside money for community welfare. There’s nothing like seeing your neighborhood or community improve to make it a better place to live. Communities that can improve their lives will be able to make a good contribution to the economy as a whole.

 

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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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.

 

 

partners in risk

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 We Develop Motivated Professionals

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There is no question most agencies are not managed or led by just one person. Usually, there are a number of people who contribute to the company’s success. One of our agency’s guiding principles is that we are a team, a bomber squadron, not individual fighter pilots. While both are needed, we tend to think of ourselves as a group of professionals all with the common goal of serving our clients.

Bomber Squadron Traits

  • Individuals must work together to accomplish a goal
  • If one person slacks on the job, the rest suffer
  • Everyone gets the win when the job is done right

Fighter Pilot Traits

  • Individual focused
  • Risk-taker
  • Reckless

Collaboration and teamwork in business are in the top four skills that determine the success of an employee. Through teamwork, a person can have their voice heard, leading to better ideas and more revenue for a company.

Increased production, creativity, and client satisfaction are the benefits of teamwork. Because teams can solve problems faster due to the range of methods and skillsets, organizations with well-functioning teams generally outperform their competitors.

How We Define Success

  • Did we help someone today?
  • Did we solve a problem?
  • Were we able to educate and inform a prospect or client?
  • Do our clients feel more comfortable?
  • When a group of coworkers get together, bounce ideas off one another, and share feedback with one another, beautiful things in the company can happen, and our clients benefit.

How Does This Benefit Our Clients?

  • Create new ways of looking at insurance issues.
  • Better informed and educated clients.
  • We hold each other accountable, which improves customer satisfaction.
  • The workflow is streamlined, creating more effective communication.
  • People are empowered to make decisions in order to meet the customer’s needs.

We invite you to become part of your team. 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. Our team is ready to educate and serve you.

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Why Insurance Is Not A Product

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We use phrases like “people before policies,” “listen to your needs,” and “Your dedicated team of experts.” These words have meaning to our entire team and are carried out in every conversation with our clients.
Here are some of the valued added services every agent should be providing:

Claims – When you have a claim, we will help you through the process, connect with adjusters, and work to settle the claim. We help you to set expectations and communicate regularly with you.

Options – We do not sell you a policy. We provide options and help you buy the right coverage for you. We show you the different kinds of coverage you might need; if we do recommend insurance, then we take the complexity and uncertainty out of the process and make sure you have the right policy to fit your budget.

Education – Our goal is to educate you so you can make informed decisions. The more you know, the better decisions you will make. It gives you better value out of your insurance.
Stay Connected – We stay in touch with you during the year. We make sure your program changes as your needs do. This assures you that you have the coverage you need.

Service – When you call your agent, you want a PERSON who knows and understands your needs. Our team lives and works in the community. We will even come to you to meet with you. You get a better insurance program and more value for every dollar spent.

Qualified – Your agent should have more than five years’ experience. You deserve an experienced professional who is committed to their craft. As a result, you get a better-designed program.

At Reichley Insurance, our employees are committed to developing ongoing communication with our clients and striving to exceed your expectations. You are not buying a product; you are managing your risk. Remember, insurance is not a product; it’s a promise and a trusted relationship.

Insurance Customers Needs Are Changing

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partners in riskWith all the changes going on in our world, customers’ needs seem to change as well. In a recent customer satisfaction survey regarding customer service, we found many interesting changes in what people what.
Customer service has quickly risen to the top of the priority list for consumers, and 2021 will be no exception. But why are so many businesses putting a premium on the consumer experience, and what happens if they don’t?
A customers’ loyalty is no longer based on price or product. Instead, they remain loyal to businesses because of the experiences they have had with them.

Customers want to have a place to get all their insurance fulfilled at one time.

Top Consumer Priority
1. Customer experience 46%
2. Pricing 21%
3. Product 33%

The survey found that 86% of consumers are willing to pay more for a better customer experience. How we define customer service:

• We educate rather than sell.
• Seeking alternatives to insurance is always an option.
• Giving our clients many ways to communicate with us is a priority.
• We develop relationships.
• Insurance should be one of many solutions to your risk concerns, not just a product
• Trust is one of the few remaining differentiators available to the modern insurer. Not only that, but it’s still the biggest indicator of a long-term sustainable business.

The client, regardless of the insurance firm, looks to you, the agent, for guidance, support, and responsiveness. Remember to put your client relationships first, despite the evolving tactics and focuses in today’s insurance markets, and you’ll find yourself building a book of business that sticks around for the long haul.

What Does Your Agent Talk To You About?

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When you meet or talk to your agent, what are the topics of conversation? Are you talking just about your bill, or how you got an endorsement and didn’t understand it? Do you get way too much communication on how to reduce your premium by buying less coverage? Many companies will tell you, and you don’t need to talk to your agent.

We are here to provide a different approach. We recommend talking to your agent at least once a year and even more if needed. Communication is the key to all good relationships. We will reach out to you and talk to you about the following.

  1. How is your claim being processed? Can we help you?
  2. Did you get your policy, and do you have any questions?
  3. Have you made any major purchases; a new car, boat, or other high-end items?
  4. I know you have a wine collection, did you but any new bottles that need to be insured?
  5. Your son Travis is heading off to college; we might want to review your coverage.
  6. How is your new job going? Do they offer life insurance, or would you like to look at some options?
  7. Have you thought more about identity theft coverage? Or do you have any questions?
  8. We have found many people are driving for a ride-sharing company, is there anyone in your house doing this?

These are just some examples of what our conversations might look like. Of course, we also start with a good day it is great to connect, and end with thank you for your business, we value our relationship and love serving you.