Real Time

Every email is a delay. Every attachment is another chance for an error. Every manual entry is time agencies can’t spend serving clients.

Twenty years ago, the industry recognized this problem and invested heavily in Real-time connectivity. The goal was simple: stop playing phone tag with information.

Instead of sending emails, waiting for responses, and rekeying data, agencies could access carrier information directly from their management systems.

Yet in some areas, we’re seeing a drift back toward email-based processes. That’s a step backward.

The future of connectivity isn’t more email. It’s more Real-time.

Why AUGIE is Advocating for Real-time

Real-time connectivity allows agents to log activities in their system and share information with anyone in the agency who has access to the client’s account. Agents shared stories years ago of missed opportunities and poor client service when their agency depended on emails. The industry needs to share information securely using Real-time functionality…not through emails.

Agents have shared

1. That many carriers that had real time working but now is no longer working other than Carrier Website login.  The inquiries, rating etc. are no longer available even though they are showing as products and on the Real Time Partners guides
2. That some agency management systems have heard that the carriers are no longer supporting as “the technology is outdated”.  AUGIE is wondering why as XML is not outdated.  Yes, APIs are the latest but as there are not APIs built from some of the agency management systems for inquiries and rating across the board. Why have these carriers and their partners stop supporting Real Time?
3. There are some carriers where Real Time still works great.
4. How does AUGIE influence the industry to support Real-time functionality, which results in shared information and logged activities?

Real-Time

Real Time is the ability to click on a button from a client file in the agency management system, comparative rater, system of choice for immediate access to carrier information on that client. This approach provides a single workflow for servicing or quoting.

Real Time Bridging of data

Data stored in the agency management system is shared with the carrier’s system, populating data fields on the carrier’s website.

Real Time Inquiry

Real Time Inquiry assists in the servicing of the customer. Agents have stated that their clients expectations are met when they are able to respond to a billing, claim or policy question at the time the customer contacts them. Real Time inquiry is the ability to click on a button from a client file in the agency management system to respond to the customer on a billing inquiry, claim inquiry or to review their policy. This provides a single workflow for servicing and/or rating and issuing a policy.

Real Time Rating

Real Time Rating assists the independent agents in providing their customer with choice. A comprehensive tool provides the agent with electronic access to multi-carrier, real-time rating functionality through either an agency management system or comparative rater. The use of a tool reduces the time agency staff would utilize entering data on various carrier websites, and aggregates that information for review and recommendation to the customer by the independent agent.

Interested in getting involved?

Complete the Contact us form and request to be added to the Real-Time teams discussion group.