Friday, 3 July 2009

Battle of the Sexes Boosts Kwik Fit Insurance Sales

The day, saw the firm negotiate discounts for its customers, was a big success as KFI enjoyed some of it's strongest sales figures since it started trading in 1995.


The success of our sales day does not happen by chance. There is an enormous amount of work that goes into ensuring our customers receive the full benefit of these events, from the discounts negotiated by our Insurer Development team, through the marketing and promotion of the day and onto the dedication and hard work of everyone within our sales team.

Glasgow, UK (PRWEB) July 4, 2009 -- Kwik Fit Insurance (KFI) played host to a battle of the sexes on Monday as they undertook their second major sales day of 2009.


The day, which saw the firm negotiate discounts for its customers, was a huge success as KFI enjoyed some of it's strongest sales figures since it began trading in 1995.


Numbers of car insurance policies rocketed with almost 1300 new policies sold, resulting in the intermediary's fifth strongest sales day for car insurance on record. In addition to strong car insurance figures, KFI also benefited from a surge in home insurance policy sales as the company continues to make a concerted effort to build it's presence in the home insurance market. The sales day proved to be the second strongest day for home insurance policy sales on record.


In order to install some competitive spirit into the business on the day, staff were pitched into a battle of the sexes as boys competed against girls in a series of physical and mental activities. In addition, the challenge was set to see who would take in the most sales on the day and it was the boys who eventually triumphed after the twelve hour contest.


Alan Brown, Director of Operations at Kwik Fit Insurance, was delighted with the success of the day: "The success of our sales day does not happen by chance. There is an enormous amount of work that goes into ensuring our customers receive the full benefit of these events, from the discounts negotiated by our Insurer Development team, through the marketing and promotion of the day and onto the dedication and hard work of everyone within our sales team."


As well as car and home insurance, Kwik Fit Insurance provides an extensive range of business insurance products aimed at small to medium sized enterprises, breakdown cover, motorcycle and van insurance, as well as travel and pet insurance.


Ends


Issued by The BIG Partnership on behalf of Kwik Fit Insurance.
For further information, please contact Michelle Holton, Jane Robertson or Bryan Garvie at The BIG Partnership on 0141 333 9585


Note To Editors


Kwik Fit Insurance Services was launched in 1995 and has grown to become one of the UK's leading car insurance distributors, as well as a major presence in home and other insurance markets including home insurance.


The company's award-winning call centre at Uddingston, Lanarkshire, now employs almost 1000 people, handling 10 million calls every year.


Since its launch in 1995, Kwik Fit Insurance Services has grown and developed into one of Scotland's most dynamic contact centres.


We are an insurance intermediary specialising in general insurance, car and home insurance services.

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Posted by wolfenstein at 23:45

PPI - an Invaluable Stress-Busting Tool Says Burgess

People with financial commitments are regularly reminded to take out payment protection insurance to enable them to continue paying off their debts should redundancy strike, but little attention is being given to the millions who may suffer from a stress-related illness as a result of the recession.

Braintree, Essex (PRWEB) July 3, 2009 -- People with financial commitments are regularly reminded to take out payment protection insurance to enable them to continue paying off their debts should redundancy strike, but little attention is being given to the millions who may suffer from a stress-related illness as a result of the recession.


This is the opinion of PPI lobbyist Sara-Ann Burgess from specialist firm Burgesses (http://www.burgesses.com) who says that consumers with mortgages, loans or credit cards are encouraged to ensure they have the means to continue paying their bills should they lose their job, but less emphasis is put upon safeguarding finances in the event of losing an income due to sickness.


Payment Protection Insurance pays claimants a monthly, tax free, pre-agreed amount for up to a year should accident, sickness or unemployment occur and Sara-Ann is fearful that people - in response to an increasing number of job losses - are opting to take out unemployment only cover on their policy.


She comments: "Feedback suggests that stress levels are escalating across the UK so it's wise to opt for accident and sickness cover as well as unemployment - it appears you're just as likely to have your income interrupted because of sickness as you are redundancy."


A view confirmed by researchers from the University of Warwick who recently found that one in five workers - around five million - is believed to suffer from work-related stress. Researchers also suggested some half a million people have experienced stress at a level that made them ill.
Bernard Casey from the University's Institute for Employment Research says the current recession will intensify stress as 'uncertainty itself breeds stress'. And this is why Sara-Ann is urging consumers to cover all eventualities and include accident and sickness as well as unemployment on their cover.


She continues: "This recession isn't just about business, property and jobs, it's the emotional fall out that's incurred as a result of a friend or colleague losing their job, the guilt at having held onto yours, the pressure to perform even better and do more with less people and the need to keep up your attendance rate in case more job cuts are announced.


"No one wants to fall ill and face the possibility of having their income interrupted, but at least PPI removes the stress of not being able to pay bills if something happens. Given stress is the perpetrator of the interrupted income in the first place, it's an invaluable tool which could support you mentally as well as financially. It removes income uncertainty."


Marriage counselling service Relate reported calls received last Christmas were 59% up on the previous year indicating family rows and associated stress are on an upward trend. So too are the number of working days lost because of stress, depression or anxiety.


According to the Health & Safety Executive, 13.5 million days were lost in 2007/2008 - more than the 12.9million days of output lost every year as a result of the 1970s strikes. It also reports 442,000 individuals believe they are experiencing illness from work-related stress.


Sara-Ann concludes: "More and more people appear to be leaving the labour force for longer periods of time so will need some form of financial support to maintain their bill commitments. PPI can do this, but check with your insurer before buying cover. Many of the big players like to exclude certain conditions in the small print, so it pays to shop around. When sourced from a reputable PPI provider, PPI is integral to that stress-busting toolbox. "


Independent provider British Insurance (http://www.britishinsurance.com) was one of the first firms to cover stress and back-related conditions, the most common reasons for sickness absence and excluded on many policies, as well as partial cover on pre-existing conditions.


Premiums are £3.90 per £100 of benefit for accident, sickness and unemployment cover - so a person looking to receive £500 a month in place of a lost or interrupted income - would pay a monthly premium of £19.50.

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[Via Insurance]






Posted by wolfenstein at 03:45

Connecticut's Paradiso Insurance Agency featured in Rough Notes Magazine

According to Rough Notes Magazine, Paradiso Insurance Agency has an Unfair Advantage in the Connecticut Insurance Market.

(PRWEB) July 3, 2009 -- Paradiso Insurance, an independent insurance agency located in Stafford, Connecticut, has been featured in Rough Notes, a property and casualty insurance trade publication which provides insight on agency marketing, insurance markets, technology trends, and new products for the insurance industry.


Paradiso Insurance Agency, and its President, Chris Paradiso were featured in Rough Notes Magazine based on Paradiso 's decision to adopt a blended Internet strategy to find, sell, and keep customers. After forging a relationship with Astonish Results, a digital marketing and training company for the insurance industry, Paradiso has upgraded its web presence, capitalized on State Farm's pullback from the Connecticut homeowners market, and increased its rate of converting visitors into leads by over 14%.


The Astonish Results system implemented by Paradiso has provided the independent agency with a "Virtual Insurance Office" designed to convert visitors into high quality leads. The site is broken down into straightforward categories, making it simple for a Connecticut insurance shopper to visit ParadisoInsurance.com, find the homeowners, business, or other type of insurance they are looking for, and gain a better understanding of their policy options. If you have questions about the type of insurance you may need, ParadisoInsurance.com has a "Frequently Asked Questions" page you can visit for answers. Paradiso's Virtual Insurance Office even offers a "Free Online Rate Quote" form that the insurance seeker can fill out in 5-10 minutes.


Paradiso recognizes that "agency owners and principals may know a lot about insurance, but don't know as much as they should about marketing." By recognizing, and capitalizing on the reality that 85% of insurance consumers begin their search online, Paradiso Insurance Agency has emerged as a leader in the Connecticut Insurance Market.

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Posted by wolfenstein at 03:45

Tuesday, 30 June 2009

iCan Benefit Group Mourns the Death of Billy Mays

The iCan Team is deeply saddened by the tragic and sudden loss of a dear friend and spokesperson, Billy Mays.

Boca Raton, FL (PRWEB) June 30, 2009 -- The iCan Team is deeply saddened by the tragic and sudden loss of a dear friend and spokesperson, Billy Mays. Through his engaging style and passion for his products, Billy established a reputation as the greatest pitchman of all time. He was well-loved by millions, and will be remembered by those who knew him as a caring father and loyal friend.

Billy recognized with great conviction the importance of access to affordable healthcare for everyone, and iCan considers it a distinct honor to have shared its message through his voice. In his professional life, he was a pioneer who set the standard for the infomercial industry. In his personal life, he was a kind, loving man whose generosity and devotion to his family were clearly evident to all who knew him. iCan extends the deepest sympathy and prayers to Billy's family, and to the many friends he leaves behind.


About the iCan Benefit Group
Founded in 2004, iCan Benefit Group, LLC is a dynamic, fast-growing company devoted to offering smart, affordable health and life insurance choices for everyone, as well as a variety of money-saving lifestyle benefits. With tens of thousands of existing customers, iCan Benefit is the answer for many to the healthcare crisis suffered by more than 47 million people in the US today. The company is based in Boca Raton, Florida and can be found on the web at: http://www.icanbenefit.com


Media Contact:
Betsy Vega, Executive Administrative Assistant
1-800-530-4226

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Posted by wolfenstein at 06:45

Lack of Health Insurance Awareness May Bring College Graduates Home

According a survey by eHealthInsurance, college students unable to find work after graduation would rather give up their own apartment (31%) or their own car (19%) before they would abandon their cell phones (13%) or internet access (12%) in order to save money. The Survey also found sixty-two percent (62%) would rather live at home after graduation than go without health insurance.

Mountain View, CA (PRWEB) June 30, 2009 -- Journalist SuChin Pak reports that parents may be shouldering more of the financial burden this year as their children graduating from college enter a challenging job market, according to a survey released by eHealthInsurance (http://www.ehealthinsurance.com). For a complete summary of survey data and methodology, go to: http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/collegesurvey


Employers anticipate hiring 22 percent fewer new college graduates from the class of 2009 than they hired from the class of 2008, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.


While most students reported a willingness to sacrifice their independence in order to be able to afford health insurance, less than fifty percent (50%) could confidently define deductibles (41%), premiums (29%), annual out of pocket maximums (23%), lifetime coverage limits (23%) or co-insurance (15%). The majority (58%) had no idea how much an average individual health insurance plan would cost.


Key findings of the survey include:
Which of the following would you be willing to give up if you had to cut back on your spending after graduating college?





 

  • Magazine Subscriptions - 72%
  • Eating Out - 69%
  • Gym Membership - 63%
  • Video Game System - 59%
  • Cable TV - 48%
  • Credit Cards - 48%
  • Having My Own Apartment - 31%
  • Having My Own Car - 19%
  • Health Insurance - 16%
  • My Own Cell Phone, Smartphone, Or PDA - 13%
  • Internet Access - 12%
  • None Of These - 3%

About eHealth, Inc.:
eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH) is the parent company of eHealthInsurance, the nation's leading online source of health insurance for individuals, families and small businesses. Through the company's website, http://www.ehealthinsurance.com, consumers can get quotes from leading health insurance carriers, compare plans side by side, and apply for and purchase health insurance. eHealthInsurance offers thousands of health plans underwritten by more than 180 of the nation's health insurance companies. eHealthInsurance is licensed to sell health insurance in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. eHealthInsurance and eHealth are registered trademarks of eHealthInsurance Services, Inc.

Sources:
(1) Kelton Research's College Students Survey sponsored by eHealthInsurance.com: http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/collegesurvey
(2) National Association of Colleges and Employers' (NACE) Job Outlook 2009 Spring Update (http://www.naceweb.org/spotlight/2009/e030409a.htm)

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[Via Insurance]






Posted by wolfenstein at 05:45

'Tis the Season…for Hurricanes

Website, wearesafeandsound.com, helps Gulf Coast citizens prepare for communication during natural disasters

Austin, Texas (PRWEB) June 30, 2009 -- More than 35 million people live in areas that could potentially be affected by hurricanes this year. With the busiest part of hurricane season approaching (August through September), websites like www.WeAreSafeandSound.com are working to make sure that natural disasters don't separate families and create communication problems.


We Are Safe and Sound is a free emergency and disaster communications service. Users can register ahead of time and in the event of a natural disaster such as a hurricane, they can post a message on the site for their friends and family ensuring that people can find each other when they need to.



I personally live in the Gulf Coast area and saw first-hand the worry that a breakdown in communication can create during a natural disaster
"I personally live in the Gulf Coast area and saw first-hand the worry that a breakdown in communication can create during a natural disaster," said Alvin Brown, WeAreSafeandSound.com President. "We started the site to make sure that families can stay connected when it matters most."


As a guest Brown can discuss:





 

  • How Gulf Coast families can prepare for natural disasters like hurricanes
  • What other factors to consider when you are preparing for hurricane evacuation
  • Why people should consider a provider other than government agencies for help during a natural disaster
  • And much more

2008 was a tumultuous year for hurricanes in the Gulf Coast and yet according to AT&T, more than 1/3 of residents say that they have not even thought about what their emergency communications plan should be.

"People don't understand the importance of having an emergency communications plan until the emergency happens and they're stranded without a way to communicate," said Brown. "Our service really focuses on decreasing the time it takes people to reconnect after being evacuated or displaced."


About WeAreSafeandSound.com:
Members of the site are assigned a username and password, and a voicemail box extension. In the event of a natural disaster, they can call their voicemail box via a toll-free number and leave a "Safe&Sound" message loved ones. Members associated with the account call the same toll-free number and can listen to messages after they provide proper identification.

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[Via Insurance]






Posted by wolfenstein at 04:45

Title: Tom Schmitz State Farm Insurance Agency Announces Grand Reopening

Tom Schmitz Insurance Agency, Inc., a State Farm Insurance Agency, Announces a Grand Reopening.

St. Louis Park, MN (PRWEB) June 30, 2009 -- Tom Schmitz Insurance Agency, Inc., a State Farm Insurance Agency, Announces a Grand Reopening.


Tom Schmitz (http://www.TomSchmitz.com), has recently moved his State Farm insurance agency to a new office at 5619 West Lake Street, St. Louis Park, Minnesota 55416. To celebrate the move to the new and improved office space, the agency will hold a Grand Reopening Open House on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 from 2:00 to 5:30 p.m. All current and prospective clients are invited to come and enjoy refreshments and prize drawings, and meet Tom Schmitz and Ed Winthrop, the insurance agents.


"We're excited to showcase our new office space," Tom Schmitz said. "And it's a great opportunity to connect with our valued clients." He added that the new location is just a few doors down from their original office space. We are, directly across the street from the Roller Garden roller skating center.


Tom Schmitz and Ed Winthrop pride themselves in their strong insurance expertise and longevity in the business, with nearly 30 years combined experience. Tom, for example, has been with State Farm for 21 years and has earned special designations including CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter) and CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter).

Among the agency's specialties are insurance and financial reviews. "These reviews provide an analysis of the client's current coverage and how we can help. We want to make sure you get the most bang for your insurance dollar," Tom said. One example is a couple that is getting married. That is an important time to review insurance needs and create a combined family policy to save on insurance costs. And people who are insured with multiple agencies can obtain policy discounts by combining their auto insurance, homeowners, and other insurance with one State Farm policy.


"We can handle all of those insurance policies, from homeowners' insurance and life insurance to policies for your auto, cabin, boat, motorcycle, small business, and investment property," he said. "And clients with valuables such as expensive laptops, jewelry, musical instruments, fine art, or collectibles can add those to their policies as well."


Clients consult withcome to the agency for a variety of reasons, such as advice on hail damage coverage with their homeowner's policy, and consultation following an auto accident. "We build those relationships, and that trust, and our clients truly appreciate being able to come to us for all of their insurance needs," Tom said.
Offering a one-stop shop is a specialty of State Farm.


Tom explained, "We provide one point of contact for insurance advice and claims," Tom said. "With an agency that operates as an independent brokerage, customer claims and service are typically referred to an 800 number. By contrast, our agency works in partnership with the claims office. We're in the same system and the same network, and we have direct contact, which provides a much smoother claims process."

Tom also emphasized the agency's positive relationship with the St. Louis Park community and surrounding areas in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. "We're very involved with our schools and churches, and with volunteer work in the community," he said. "People know who we are, and that we are a trusted and well-established local business."


He added that he enjoys welcoming new members to the community, and that the agency should be one of the first points of contact for people relocating from out of state, because auto insurance must be changed over within 60 days.


The open house on June 30th 2009, from 2:00 to 5:30 p.m. will provide an opportunity to meet the agency staff, ask questions, and set appointments for insurance check ups. Clients and potential clients are also invited to call or stop in anytime during office hours, which are Monday 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Central time.


Tom Schmitz State Farm Agency has been serving the Twin Cities for 13 years. The agency is located at 5619 West Lake Street, in St. Louis Park Minnesota, and can be reached at 952-929-7069. A map to the office is located on the agency website at www.TomSchmitz.com.

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Posted by wolfenstein at 00:45

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