One of the country’s leading providers of small business insurance has launched a website for insurance agents providing a variety of resources for commercial clients, in light of National Small Business Week.
Nationwide has introduced the site for both current agents and those who are interested in requesting a commercial contract appointment.
Through the site, Nationwide – which currently writes coverage for more than 500,000 small business clients – is providing:
- Information on the commercial industry, such as the fact that 63% of small-business owners have been victims of at least one type of cyber attack
- The Nationwide Academy, which offers more than 50 continuing education courses
- FastPath, the company’s commercial quoting system, which claims to provide results with an average of 80% fewer screens.
This last addition is particularly beneficial to agents, says insurance agency president and longtime Nationwide user Michael Carroll.
Carroll, who runs Carroll Insurance Group in Ohio, specializes in insuring attorneys, restaurants and pizza franchises across the country. The group also does personal lines, particularly for business owners to whom they supply commercial policies.
FastPath, which he describes as an “underwriting big brother,” has been key in issuing quotes quickly and cutting down on submission errors.
“We have a new CSR who joined us 40 days ago who is more confident with commercial policies than with homeowners thanks to
FastPath,” Carroll told
Insurance Business America. “It used to be that commercial insurance was the boogieman, but now we’re writing almost all of our BOP business through
FastPath, saving about five hours a week and 250 hours a year. It translates into real dollars and cents – there’s a literal, tangible, monetary payoff.”
Carroll has also had agents participate in Nationwide’s CE classes, which he says levels the playing field for agents new to the industry – particularly those coming out of college or those making a career change.
The site – at seeusdifferenty.nationwide.com – is available to agents immediately, Nationwide said.
“We have a long heritage of serving small businesses,” said Mark Berven, president and chief operating officer of Nationwide. “For over 90 years, we’ve been helping agents and businesses protect what matters most. This tool is just one more example of our commitment to the commercial market – especially those on Main Street.”
