Blog + Magazine

After a year full of uncertainty, making predictions about 2021 may seem futile. While the future is never certain, there are a few personal lines market trends for you to watch in 2021. Some are the direct result of the events of 2020, while others have been in the works for several years. All of them are things to keep your eye on at your agency as you plan for 2021.

Despite all the turmoil of 2020, Smart Start Personal Lines boasted a banner year, breaking production records and writing over $1 million in premium for 7 months straight.

Business planning doesn’t have to be traditional, and you don’t have to follow any specific template. Sometimes, it’s simply about sitting down and asking yourself a few important questions about where you want to go.

Smart Choice®, signed 84 new agency partners in November, marking a continued trend of over 80 new agencies a month, and continuing the company’s long streak of record setting growth.

The 2020 Smart Choice year‑end magazine issue with reviews of industry trends, success stories, and agency performance reflections relevant to independent agents.

2020 served as a turning point for insurance agency technology. Agents had to quickly adapt to working remotely and using digital channels to serve clients. To help independent agents adapt to digital, Liberty Mutual and Safeco’s Agent for the Future program put together two e-books and article series full of practical advice.

Salespeople often fall victim to being on the phone 24/7. After all, you never know when that ringing phone might be a sale. So with no one screening a salesperson's calls, they're bound to feel the need to answer every one. But sometimes, salespeople have to set boundaries to be productive.

While it might not be possible for agents to meet with customers face to face, it’s more important than ever to be a trusted resource for small business owners. Here are five ways agents can continue to support small businesses during the pandemic.

If you had to define successful goal planning, what would your answer be? As a businessperson, your definition may be making a lot of money. A salesperson may define success as becoming the top salesperson in the company. Success means many different things to different people. However, few have really thought through how they’ll actually become successful. Effective goal planning is the key to success.

While weather can be unpredictable at any time of year, winter can be especially challenging for those living and working in certain areas. Here are some tips that agents can share with clients to help them prepare for the winter season.

Despite 2020 being one of the most irregular years of our lifetimes, both personally and professionally, Smart Choice, our agents and carrier partners, have managed to succeed together. We’ve hit some really incredible milestones this year, and we are exceptionally grateful to be partnered with such amazing people in the industry. 

2020 Marketing Issue offering guidance on marketing plans and communication tactics that help independent agents strengthen outreach and client connections.