Staying Connected While Physically Apart: Help Customers Find You Online

Agencies and brokerages using self-service portals have an immense opportunity to provide the anytime, anywhere service to policyholders. Customer self-service software provides greater flexibility and servicing options for your business by allowing your customers to review policy information, request changes, make premium payments, report First Notice of Loss and track claims processing via the internet and mobile app.

Once you invest in customer self-service software, it’s crucial to promote this new offering to your policyholders. Otherwise, they won’t know it’s available and will not use it. By actively promoting it, you – and your customers – stand to gain the most value from your customer self-service software.

9 Ways to Get the Most Value from Your Customer Self-Service Software

1. Incorporate your customer portal into your overall web presence and brand
   

   Integrating your customer portal into your larger web presence is a good way to let your customers know self-service is an option available to them. Consider incorporating the self-service login into the top navigation of your website so that it’s always accessible from any web page. Branding your customer portal also presents a more polished, professional look. It gives your customers more confidence when accessing their information, especially if it’s sensitive information.

2. Let customers access self-service via your branded mobile app

   Available at the tap of an icon, customers have quicker, more convenient access to insurance information while on the go. A customer mobile app not only gives your customers omnichannel service options, it also gives your business more credibility and builds your reputation as a modern digital insurance agency or brokerage.

3. Send an email to announce your new 24/7 customer portal

   Use the email functionality in your management system or coordinate with your technology partner to announce your new portal and app to your customers on your behalf. If you work with Applied, we will provide statistics regarding who opened the email, as well as who clicked to access your portal from the email announcement. These reports can be used to track engagement and encourage future adoption of the portal.

4. Train your VIP customers and large commercial lines customers

   Host a webinar to educate your customers about the portal services and its benefits. For commercial clients who require certificates after-hours, promote how individuals can obtain those items online via self-service or offer electronic delivery of DEC pages securely through your portal. You can also consider onsite training, which can increase engagement and provide continued sales opportunities.

5. Promote your new portal via social media

   Social media is a great way to get information out to your customers. Use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social media platforms to announce the portal, promote its benefits and provide ongoing conversation about its availability to increase customer engagement. You can also regularly post about the portal on social media as a way to entice prospects to do business with you and remind customers about the many benefits they receive by doing business with you.

6. Update your automated message system to include your portal and app information

   Your automated message system is another great channel to deliver important information to your clients. Customers are already listening intently for the representative to answer, so taking advantage of this opportunity to reach them when they call is crucial.

7. Create a branded insert for your sales proposals

   Use the customer portal and mobile app as a unique value proposition when talking to prospects. Let them know that one of the benefits is anytime, anywhere access to customer service and important insurance information. Many agencies and brokerages already use their customer portal as a value-add when attracting customers.

8. Update your email signatures to advertise your portal and app

   Your email signature provides another opportunity to advertise your self-service portal and app to your clients and prospects. Take advantage of this placement and make it stand out by using your business’s branding and a benefit statement such as, “Online customer self-service now available. Visit [insert your portal URL here] for details on how to access anytime, anywhere.”

9. Add notices to your brochures, invoices, renewal documents and statements

   Just like in your sales proposals, add an announcement about your online customer portal and mobile app and use it as a unique value proposition. Include a link to your portal or incorporate a Quick Response (QR) code customers can easily scan with their mobile device to get directly to your portal login page.

Marketing your customer portal is an on-going process that requires consistent use of the marketing activities listed above.

If you’re an Applied CSR24 customer, visit the Applied Community to learn more about marketing your customer portal.

If you’d like to learn more about offering customer self-service to your clients, use these resources.

Business Continuity, Marketing & Distribution, Mobile, Management System, 2020