When it comes to buying insurance, the first step is to figure out whether you want to purchase through an insurance agent or direct from a company. While the two may seem one-and-the-same, the differences between the two can majorly impact your trucking business. This article aims to help you decide which option will work best for you and your trucking company.Coverage.When you choose to buy trucking insurance direct from a company, you are also choosing to buy one of the standard insurance packages. These packages were designed with a “one size fits all” mentality, so you might have to buy a package with coverage you don’t need in order to receive coverage you do need.Contrary to popular belief, insurance agents do not have the ability to negotiate a policy rate. However, the agent will be able to provide you a list of options at different price points. By being independent, agents also have access to other carrier policies and are able to tailor the policy to best suit your needs. Additionally, the agents may reach out to insurance companies most people have never even heard of, or don’t know provide commercial trucking insurance, which allows them to find even more coverage options for the insured (you) to review.Pricing.As mentioned previously, when you choose to buy a standard insurance package direct from an insurance company, there’s a chance you’re overpaying. Since the package is not tailored to your needs, there may be coverages within it that you don’t necessarily want or need. Additionally, when it comes time for renewal these agencies will only show you rates from their employer since it’s their job to keep you insured with that company.Agents own their own business, thus must generate income by charging the insured for the service provided. However, even with the additional fee, going through an agent usually results in a cheaper premium-sometimes up to 25%-due to their ability to price shop. Furthermore, when it comes to renewal, independent agents are able to reevaluate your premium based on new rates from multiple insurance companies. Therefore, the chance for cost savings increases.Experience.One of the biggest differences between buying direct and buying through an agent is the experience. On one hand, when you call an insurance company to talk to someone about your coverage, odds are you’re going to get transferred to someone in a call center. Yes, you will be speaking with an individual who has passed the same exams as personal agents, and therefore can address all of your needs. However, the biggest difference is that the next time you call you most likely will not be speaking to the same individual you spoke to previously.On the other hand, working with an agent allows you to form a personal relationship since you know that when you call you’ll be talking to either the agent or someone on their small team. These individuals will be familiar with your policy, instead of simply reading general information off a database. More importantly, insurance agents will be there to advocate for you during a claim.Time.We’ve all seen the commercials guaranteeing an insurance quote in 15 minutes or less, so for some it seems logical to go online and purchase insurance. If you are shopping for your best price though, it means you are spending 15 minutes on EACH insurance companies’ websites. Not only is this time consuming, but it results in multiple companies gaining your personal information (phone number, email address, etc.).When you work with an independent insurance agent, the agent does the searching for you. So while it may take some time, it’s the agent who puts time into reaching out to all the insurance companies, not you. Agents also realize time plays a significant role in a trucker’s career, which is why they’re oftentimes quicker when it comes to certificate processing and binding.When you’re shopping for trucking insurance, maybe you don’t necessarily care what’s in the package as long as you’re covered. In that case, shopping direct from an insurance company may work for you. However, if you want more insight into your policy and a more personalized experience, then finding an agent to create your optimal insurance coverage plan is your best option.
Using an Online Directory to Find Local Businesses Near You
If you live in or plan on visiting Manchester any time soon, you may require the services of a number of different businesses. To help you find them, a Manchester Business Directory could be the answer. Here are 10 types of firms that you can find.1. Manchester Plumbers – Pipe problems at the home or office can be disastrous if not dealt with quickly. Use a directory to find reliable local plumbers.2. Manchester Electricians – It’s a similar story with electrical problems and it can be tricky knowing where to look for a trustworthy and inexpensive professional. A directory can help.3. Manchester Florists – Sending flowers to your girlfriend, Mum or friend? Then you’re going to need to find a good florist near to where they live.4. Manchester Hairdressers – Sometimes a change can do your style the world of good. Why not read reviews of the best salons near your home before booking an appointment?5. Manchester Driving Schools – When you start learning to drive, you can’t wait to take and pass your test. A driving school can help you get there quicker.6. Manchester Builders – If you have building or construction work, then you need a few local professionals in your area to get quotes from and compare testimonies.7. Manchester Gardeners – If you struggle to keep your garden looking good or you want the whole thing re-landscaped, then you’re going to need to check out some local gardeners.8. Manchester Train Stations – If you’re looking to travel into the city, then you might want to do some research into the different local stations and where they are.9. Manchester Shopping Centres – From the Trafford Centre to the Arndale, there’s a lot of shopping to enjoy in Manchester.10. Manchester Cinemas – And if you’re visiting a Manchester shopping centre, why not tie in a visit to a nearby cinema and see the latest movies?So, if you’re looking for a Manchester builder, florist or electrician, a Manchester business directory could help you find the right companies.
Get Your Local Business Found Online With SoLoMo
I always enjoy the looks that I receive from clients when I mention “SoLoMo”. I can only imagine what they are thinking (“has he finally lost his mind?” Comes to mind a lot). In fact, I’ve memorized the explanation and have learned to quickly throw it out as soon as I bring it up. Still, SoLoMo is my favorite marketing method for local businesses, mainly because of the success that it has brought our clients, so it’s a conversation that must be had with each and every local business owner that comes through our doors.So, what the heck is SoLoMo? SoLoMo is an acronym that stands for Social, Local, Mobile, and it taps into the buying patterns of more that 80% of consumers in today’s connected world. Here’s how it works:SocialHow many times have you scrolled your Facebook or Twitter feed and saw one of your contacts (or maybe you’ve even done it as well?) asking others about the best “insert cuisine here” restaurants in the area? Or how many times have you checked online reviews on Facebook, Google, Yelp etc. before going to a local business? I’ll bet you’re just as guilty as the other 62% of all online shoppers who do the exact same thing. And of that 62%, 75% of them end up clicking through to the business’s website in the process.Having a social presence online is no longer a choice for local businesses. Nearly EVERYONE has a smartphone these days and has near-instant access to information on any business in their local area. If your business isn’t in that mix, you’re going to lose customers to the ones that are… lots of customers.LocalWhen someone who is close to your widget business searches for “widget sellers near me”, you have the opportunity to be right in front of their face at the very moment they are in the vicinity. Compare this to traditional advertising methods such as Yellow Pages, Billboards and Newspaper advertising – which are all super-expensive and not nearly as effective – and Mobile marketing is a no-brainer. Plus, with the technological advances being made with GPS tracking, it’s now possible to hit consumers with special offers when they are near your business location, making it 100 times more likely that they will stop in, even if they weren’t necessarily looking for what you’re selling at the moment.MobileAs mentioned above, pretty much everyone (even my 82-year-old grandmother) has a smartphone these days, giving them instant access to the internet and everything on it. When you combine the above two marketing methods with the power of smartphone technology (such as Apps for your company, email marketing, location-based coupon services, etc.) you end up with an ultra-powerful marketing campaign that is guaranteed to not only get your business in front of consumers, but to really grow your bottom line as well. There is simply no better method of targeted advertising for local businesses. Period.The problem with this approach for most business owners is that it does require a bit of technical know-how to set it all up, and a little TLC to keep it running smoothly. It can also lead to negative consequences such as receiving bad reviews for your company. My advice to businesses who share these concerns is to first weigh the pros and cons of using the SoLoMo approach to marketing. I’ve yet to find a single person who has found enough cons to justify not doing it. Even if you’re way too busy running your business to do it yourself, the gains you will no doubt experience from it would justify hiring a search marketing agency to handle it for you!