AgentInsider^® is pleased to announce that we have distributed of our 2 millionth lead through the Lead Program! For those of you keeping track, it took 21 months for AgentInsider to deliver its first million leads, but only 10 months to deliver the next million leads. Less than half the time! The two-millionth lead was generated on April 29, 2008 and was distributed to Nick DeRosa, a local Allstate^® agent in Florida.

The increased success of AgentInsider^® is due to more consumers using the Internet for their insurance needs, more carriers supporting their agents’ online marketing efforts, and agents integrating online marketing strategies into their marketing mix. Below are some tips to help you continue to get the most from your AgentInsider Lead Program account.

Online insurance consumers expect things to be done nearly instantaneously. A response time greater than 2-3 hours is generally below the expectation of the Internet consumer, and is not in the interest of your close-rate. If an agent waits even 4 or 5 hours to contact a consumer after receiving the lead from AgentInsider^®, another agent may have already acquired this consumer's business. The more quickly you contact a consumer, the better chance you’ll have at closing the sale.

Like many of our participating agents, Nick, a 2 year member of the Lead Program, said he has an employee dedicated to working the AgentInsider leads. “70% of my leads come from AgentInsider^®. Having an employee dedicated to working the leads helps ensure that we contact the consumers right away, improving our chances of making the sale,” Nick stated.

	Ask for Each Consumer's Business - You Have Earned the Right Remember, these are not cold calls to consumers. These are leads from consumers who have come to InsWeb.com, provided their information, and are expecting to receive quotes. Call to introduce yourself, gather any additional information you need, and let them know that you’ll be sending them a quote.
2 Millionth Lead Recipient Nick DeRosa

If you can’t reach the consumer by phone, then email the consumer and set the expectation for when you will be providing a quote and when you will be following up to review it.

Don’t be shy about asking for more of the consumer’s business. If, for example, you purchased an auto lead from AgentInsider^®, then take the opportunity to review homeowners, renters, life insurance, etc. with the consumer. “I cross sell to all of my prospective clients,” Nick told us. “This way, I can make a lead twice as valuable for me.” Nick closes in upwards of 9% of his leads and has been very successful at cross-selling his other products.

When a lead is delivered to you by AgentInsider^®, it is important to remember that this consumer has been comparison shopping. Not every consumer is concerned with price alone. In fact, many consumers consider factors like reputation, customer service, timeliness of response, location, etc. Be sure to point out what makes you the best choice for their particular situation.

Never give up on a lead. If the consumer tells you they aren’t ready to purchase a policy, try again later. Contact them again in 6 months to see if their insurance needs have changed. Keeping in contact with your prospective consumers can help lead to sales down the road.

We can provide you with the necessary tools to maximize your success, and offer you a review of the ZIP Codes in your area that have the greatest lead volume with little or no competition from other agents. “One of the features I really like about AgentInsider^®s the helpful customer service department," Nick stated. “Anytime I have a question about my account, I give them a call and get the information I need.”

A big “Thank You” to you and to our 2 millionth lead recipient, Nick DeRosa, for your ongoing participation in the AgentInsider^® Lead Program. The distribution of our 2 millionth lead is an exciting milestone for us, and further validates the increasing need for local insurance agents to be connected to consumers in their area. As AgentInsider and our agents continue to share success, we’ll continue to reach more milestones like these together.