Broker Uses Internet Technology to Improve Client Services

San Mateo, CA-based Calco Insurance Brokers & Agents Inc. says that, with clients demanding interactivity on the Web, it is putting its service and resources at people's fingertips. It's service, myCalco.com, is a new Web site that "provides clients 24 X 7 access to most of their insurance information," the company says.

Calco says that many insurance-related sites tend to be "strictly online brochures, but several have been able to offer clients instant information and are backed up by an insurance team from the home office."

``We created myCalco.com to make it easier for our clients to do business with us,'' says Beau Brown, senior vice president of eSolutions. ``It's imperative for brokers to embrace today's technology and put it to the best possible use in serving their clients.''

The site features online forms that Calco clients use to file claims, request policy changes and request certificates of insurance. In addition, the site includes a risk management resource center, insurance terms glossary, human resources links library and a loss control center developed in conjunction with Fireman's Fund.

Another feature of myCalco.com is its ``Hot Tips'' area, designed to give human resources and risk management professionals informative business tips and creative management ideas in a convenient, timesaving manner.

A primary focus of Calco is the development and marketing of association-sponsored business insurance and employee benefits programs. ``We designed myCalco.com based on input from a number of our clients regarding their information and communication needs,'' stated Kerry Lonsdale, marketing communications manager. ``The site is continually enhanced to reflect the changing needs of our clients.''

Calco Insurance Brokers & Agents was founded in 1937 to provide insurance products and services to California-based businesses.