Lane Change

We fully expect to make changes to WinRater as we fix bugs that agents report, correct rating inaccuracies, etc.  In addition, we will be rolling out functionality that didn’t make it into the initial WinRater release.  The first major update will include Motorcycle rating.

So look for emails from us and run SoftSync frequently to be sure you are on the latest version of WinRater.

And please remember that WinRater is still a work in progress—and we’re working every day to make it more useful for you.  Rome, as they say, wasn’t built in a day.

A lot of agents have called about the validating driver, vehicle and policy infomation from the Registry. 

We recommend that all agencies sign up for the Registry’s VPN to get the RMV information you need to accurately quote policies under managed competition.  The cost is $20 per month per workstation— not a lot if you have one or two CSRs, but it can really add up if you are part of a large agency.

We’ve worked hard to get the Registry to allow WinRater to retrieve this information in a faster, less expensive manner.  Then, agents wouldn’t have to maintain and pay for the VPN connection.  But, to be honest, it probably won’t happen anytime soon.  State agencies move slowly.  Maybe someday they will see the light.  Until then, you’ll just have to pay the piper, unfortunately. 

Another option is to go to your carrier web site and connect to the RMV.  You can then re-key the data in WinRater and get a comparative quote.  Not that efficient, I know, but it is an option.

This is insanity to the nth degree.  We released the new WinRater and have been rolling it out to agents over the past week - 10 days…

… and our phones haven’t stopped ringing since!  Agents mostly need help installing the new WinRater.  On their network.  On their laptop.  In their home office.  Etc.  There are those quirky technical support questions too that need resolving.  And the fax machine has lit up like a proverbial Christmas tree, as agents are sending us copies of DEC pages and WinRater quotes that don’t match up.  

We’re busy 12 or 13 hours a day, seven days a week.  We’re battered and bruised (but not defeated).   Tom and I have lost most of our hair.  Poor Becky developed a facial tick.  Terry has taken to drinking.  Carol sleeps at the office.  Pizza boxes litter the office.  A picture of Nonnie Burnes hangs on the wall — someone drew a mustache and beard on her face with a Sharpie.  It brings us a little bit of joy.

Hope things aren’t as crazy at your agency….

It took a herculean effort, but we got all the carrier rates in the new WinRater when we said we would.  (There are still 3 carriers who do not want us to program their rates… but we are trying to convince them otherwise.) 

I know some of you agents would have wanted your rates earlier, but really, I don’t think any company could have done a better job than we did.  It was a near-impossible task, given the limited amount of time.

There is still a lot of work to be done, but at least the rates are in your hands.

PLEASE TRY CLICKING ON THIS LINK:

http://blip.tv/file/706770

This is a different web server and you should have better luck viewing it.

If not, please call us at 781.449.8585 and we can try and help!

This video tutorial of WinRater Comparative Auto Rating Software will acquaint you with the new WinRater workflow in the Managed Competition rating environment.  Just click to play.

NOTES:
There is no audio with this video (your hearing is fine).
Too small? Click the television icon below the video frame to enlarge.  Or decrease your screen resolution to 800 x 600.
Too fast? Use the pause button to allow yourself time to read the callouts or study the workflow.

Many business applications, including WinRater, have problems running on the Microsoft VISTA Home platform.  We have been fielding many calls trying to trouble VISTA-related issues.  It can get pretty ugly.  Considering the amount of technical support we have to field at this busy time, we have to drop  VISTA-related calls down on our priority list.  We STRONGLY SUGGEST you upgrade to VISTA BUSINESS edition.  It costs approximately $200.00, but you’ll save a lot of time and headaches.

What will it mean for your agency?  How about the independent agency market as a whole?

What are you doing to prepare?

Things are definitely moving faster than hoped, huh?!  I thought Progressive would wait to see how our experiment in Managed Competition works out before diving in headfirst.

I suspect GEICO will have to enter now too. They won’t want Progressive to gather all the low hanging fruit.

18% proposed decrease for the average driver… talk about a “loss leader” marketing campaign.

You can bet Comm. Burnes is smiling.  I wouldn’t doubt that she’ll be giving them plenty of special accomadations, such as quick access to the RMV, to make sure they are comfortable doing business here.

My first reaction regarding what agents should do is stick to the tried & true basics: don’t battle them on price alone, build fences around account by rounding out, promote the consultative benefits of agents, etc. But then my next reaction was to go into the fetal position — after all, we have a lot to loss too if Progressive turns the agent market upside down.

But, thinking postively… we’re finishing up beta testing this week and feeling very good about the new WinRater and it’s ability to give agents an accurate quote, determine eligibility/desirability, and electronically submit the policy to carriers (many, but not all) and MAIP.  This will go a long way towards protecting agents from the wolves at the door.

The biggest concern should be how many MA drivers will be lured in by the Progressive advertising machine and shop the Progressive web site for an auto policy? And how many will like what they find… and say goodbye to their friendly agent?

We’ve been working closely with the good folks at CAR to streamline the submission of new business applications from WinRater to the MAIP system.   We ironed out a faster “streaming” electronic transfer of data, which will eliminate a number of clicks and keystrokes for you.

The MAIP system will also be able to accept ACORD XML files now (in addition to AL3 files) from vendors like us and CGI.  XML is the latest data format, allowing for a better standard and compatibility with other vendor systems.  Adoption of a standard XML file for MA Auto by more vendors and carriers means a greater ability to transfer data with greater ease and faster resolution of problems.  CAR has been extremely responsive in this development effort.  That’s a big win for agents. 

Going forward, it also means that data exchanges with new carriers or vendors and/or for other tasks (i.e. real time rating) will come to market faster. 

By the way, our data exchange with the MAIP system will take place via our new SinglePoint platform, which you will be hearing a lot about in the next couple weeks.  SinglePont is aimed at greatly simplifying and standardizing the the submission process for independent agents.