PIACT, PIANY and PIANJ Call On All Independent Agents To Take Part In The Annual Company Performance Surveys
GLENMONT, N.Y. - Following the success of similar surveys, the Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey Inc. will launch its first-ever company performance survey to gauge insurance producers' views of their companies in the state. As in years past, the Professional Insurance Agents of Connecticut and the Professional Insurance Agents of New York State Inc. each will conduct a comparable survey for the same purpose. Each state's survey will be launched Monday, Jan. 24, 2005, and will be available by logging on to PIA's Web site at www.piaonline.org and clicking on the Company Performance Survey icon.
The monthlong poll will ask independent agents' opinions on their companies' handling of claims, products and pricing, technology, marketing support and more.
PIANJ's inaugural survey will allow insurance producers in New Jersey to rank their companies on criteria similar to Connecticut's and New York's surveys.
"I hope New Jersey agents and companies show similar enthusiasm for the survey, which will provide us with valuable input for our insurers," said Louis Beckerman, CIC, CPCU, president of PIANJ.
Each year the PIACT and PIANY's Company Performance Surveys measure members' perceptions of insurance company performance. Where separate business units are operated quite independently by the same company, agents are asked to evaluate each unit separately. By popular demand, both PIACT and PIANY will be including more companies in their 2005 surveys.
"Last year, independent insurance agents responded to the survey in record numbers," said Jeffery Parmenter, CPCU, president of PIACT. "The survey has become an expected tool for us to improve communication between agents and insurers. The response from independent insurance agents has been overwhelming and the feedback from companies represented in the survey has been positive."
Now, with a few years of data collected, PIANY is prepared to map the trends in agents' satisfaction with their companies.
"This survey is multi-faceted and provides feedback to numerous parties," said N. Stephen Ruchman, president of PIANY. "Not only do the companies receive valuable information, which allows them to gauge how they stand with their agents; but the agents are given the opportunity to express their praise and their concerns."
Last year a total of 150 individuals participated in the Connecticut survey, rating an average of six companies apiece. Companies were rated by an average of 38 people each. In New York, a total of 357 individuals participated, also rating an average of six companies apiece. Each company was rated by an average of 59 people.
This year approximately 30 insurance companies, or company business units, will be evaluated in Connecticut (up from 24); 54 in New York state (up from 38) and 46 in New Jersey.
PIACT, PIANY and PIANJ are trade associations representing professional, independent insurance agencies, brokerages and their employees throughout their respective states.
Source: PIACT, PIANY and PIANJ