Agent Guide to Flood Insurance. Have a flair for selling flood? This guide will make it even easier

Transcription

1 Agent Guide to Flood Insurance Have a flair for selling flood? This guide will make it even easier

2 Growth! That s what selling flood insurance can mean for your business. But selling and servicing flood business isn t as easy as it should be. To help, we ve gathered our best flood insurance tips and included them in this guide. Inside you ll find: Three ways we make selling flood insurance easy for you How to protect yourself against E&O claims Important steps for you to take before, during and after a flood Plus, we ve pulled together our top marketing tools and made them easily available to you on imarket or The Hartford FloodPro. Use this guide and our handy tools to help you: Sell flood insurance to new and cross-sell customers Strengthen relationships with your existing flood customers Grow your flood book of business 2

3 Flood insurance made easy for you and your customers Nearly every business owner and homeowner is at risk for some type of flooding, but many don t have flood insurance. This gap in coverage creates a sizeable opportunity for you to sell flood insurance. The Hartford wants to be your go-to carrier for flood, whether it s for your commercial or homeowners flood insurance customers. To be your flood carrier of choice, we ve made it easier than ever for you to sell flood insurance. 3 ways we make it easy 1. We handle a lot of the work for you through our: Dedicated, local, flood sales director for your territory to guide you with underwriting, claims and federal requirements; most carriers don t provide this Knowledgeable flood book-transfer team to do the transfer work for you, freeing up your time to focus on new business 2. We equip you with the tools you need to succeed, including: Agent flood guide; look inside for: Checklists and timelines to keep flood insurance top of mind throughout the year for you and your customers and prospects Tactical tools and customizable marketing materials to show your customers why they need flood insurance and why they should buy it through you Our FREE online training to explain flood coverage and The Hartford s online processing center User-friendly online processing system (includes real-time transaction support/assistance) to easily quote, submit and add endorsements and free flood zone determinations Ways to reduce your E&O exposure and increase retention through cross-selling 3. We provide convenient access to all-things-hartford-flood through imarket or The Hartford FloodPro Contact us today! Put our size (one of the largest flood carriers) and experience (30 years of experience paying flood claims) to work for you. To learn more, contact your regional sales representative from The Hartford. 3

4 Flood insurance made easy Before a flood Write additional, profitable flood premium with The Hartford A flood can happen anytime, anywhere. Even in the most unlikely places. Yet most homeowner and business owner insurance policies don t cover flood damage. With flood incidents on the rise, the time to talk to your customers and prospects about flood insurance is now. The Hartford offers flood insurance for business owners and homeowners through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). With our 30+ years of flood experience, we can provide superior service to your customers. And, you can use your consultative skills to cross-sell flood insurance, and write additional, profitable premium just by doing what you do best. Protect yourself against E&O claims Your clients count on you to keep them informed about their insurance options. If you don t offer flood insurance, you may put yourself at risk for E&O claims. Remember: the top three errors and omissions are: Not offering coverage Not offering the right amount of coverage Not explaining flood policy limitations Satisfy a wide range of customer needs with three coverage options The Hartford offers a standard policy through the NFIP, which provides coverage to protect against damage to: 1. The building 2. Its contents 3. Or both Depending on your clients needs, they may decide to insure both to protect: Structural elements, such as walls, floors, equipment and fixtures Contents, such as furniture, appliances, and wall and floor coverings Personal items, such as clothing, audio equipment and televisions Stay in touch with your flood customers Before a flood is imminent: Make sure your customers know how to contact you in the event of a flood Explain what they should do to prepare for a flood; send your customers our flyer Preparing for a Flood, which you can download on imarket or The Hartford FloodPro Throughout the year: Loss ControL Technical Information Paper Series Mail flood postcards to prospects (available on imarket or The Hartford FloodPro) Mail informational flyers to existing customers (available on imarket or The Hartford FloodPro) Connect with customers and prospects through social media campaigns. Collect phone numbers and s, and add them to your systems (see sample communications for posting by visiting imarket or The Hartford FloodPro) Preparing for a Flood: Safety Tips for Homeowners Floods can cause devastating damage. Even minor flooding can cause financial and emotional hardship from damaged inventory and equipment at a business to personal items at your home. Follow these steps to help minimize loss before a flood and after the flood and to help with the clean-up and your flood claim. Before the Flood Establish a plan for your property that includes prevention, emergency response and disaster recovery. If you already have one in place, review and update it as needed for flood readiness. Assign responsibility to specific individuals for advance arrangements and flood emergency response, including removal of valuable goods and equipment from your property s lower levels. Practice your evacuation plan. Ensure that everyone knows the safest route to high, safe ground. Participate in flood plain management. Many communities have programs of preventive and corrective measures for reducing future flood damage. these measures include zoning, subdivision, building requirements, or special-purpose flood plain ordinances. Keep insurance information and contact names and numbers in a safe place. this information will expedite the claim process in the event of a loss. Install a sump pump; have a backup available in case the main pump fails. Make sure window wells at ground level are watertight. Bolted window covers are most effective in keeping water out. Keep emergency equipment (such as portable radios and flashlights) in working order. Portable, batterypowered radios are essential in an emergency. tune in to local stations and follow emergency instructions. Keep materials on hand that will help prevent water damage. Materials such as sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, and lumber can be used to protect property. Do not pile sandbags too close to the walls of the building. Wet bags can exert excess pressure on the foundation, resulting in significant structural damage. During the Flood Move valuable papers and other contents to higher elevations or remove them from the premises. Back up computer files and store them in a watertight container off premises. Remove all chemicals, paints, oils, cleaners, flammable liquids, etc. from the premises. Doing this will not only prevent them from causing damage to the rest of the property, but will also safeguard the health of the individuals involved in clean-up operations. Bring outdoor possessions inside, or tie them down securely, to keep them from being washed away. Turn off all utilities at the main power switch and close the main gas valve if evacuation is imminent. Do not touch electrical equipment unless it is in a dry area and you are standing on a piece of dry wood while wearing rubber-soled boots or shoes and rubber gloves. After the Flood Before entering the home, check for structural damage. Watch for wildlife that may have chosen your property as a refuge to escape the flood waters. Determine that all electrical hazards are controlled. Drain and clean basements. After the flood waters have subsided, begin draining the basement in stages, about a third of the water volume each day. Pumping out water too quickly may cause structural damage. Clean damaged property. Flood waters may transport sewage and other hazardous materials. Document the damage. Begin salvage operations. For more information, contact your local Hartford agent or visit 4

5 Flood insurance made easy During a flood When a flood is imminent If a flood event is likely to impact your local area, no doubt your flood customers have a lot on their minds and may not remember what they should do to prepare. Most likely, they ll contact you for advice. This is a great opportunity for you to show your value by reaching out to them. Here are some reminders of what you can do when a flood is imminent in your local area: 1. Watch for localized flood e-alerts from The Hartford and/or FEMA. These s notify you of imminent flooding and remind you of how to report a flood claim. 3 easy ways to report a flood claim: Call toll free: claims@floodpro.net Submit online: and click on Report a Loss A flood watch warning is in effect 2. Remind your customers how to prepare for flooding. Refer them to our flyer, Preparing for a Flood, which you can download on imarket or The Hartford FloodPro. Here are highlights: Move valuable papers and other contents to higher elevations or remove them from the premises. Bring outdoor possessions inside or tie them down securely, to keep them from being washed away. Turn off all utilities at the main power switch, and close the main gas valve if evacuation is imminent. Contact your agency or The Hartford with questions. 3. Tell your customers to review our flyer, How to prepare for a visit from the insurance adjuster, which you can download on imarket or The Hartford FloodPro. That way, if their property is damaged by flooding, they: Will know in advance what they should and shouldn t do with their property Won t inadvertently delay their insurance claims payment (by not being prepared when the adjuster visits) 5

6 25673 September 2013 The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. All policies are written subject to The National Flood Insurance Program. Flood insurance made easy After a flood Helping your customers with their claims Whether your customers have experienced severe or minor flood damage to their property, they ll appreciate your caring and professional service as you help them file a claim, prepare for an adjuster visit, and show you care. After a flood How to prepare for a visit from the insurance adjuster It s important to know what to do after you experience flood damage so that you can safely get back to your property and receive timely payment of your flood claim. This flyer contains important steps to help you make that happen. After you ve experienced flood damage and your flood claim has been filed, you can expect to hear from an insurance adjuster. Before the adjuster visits your property and before your flood claim payment can be issued you ll need to take important steps to prepare for the adjuster visit. Immediately after 1. File flood claims for your clients using one of these three easy methods: Call toll free: claims@floodpro.net Take these 4 important steps: 1. Separate damaged property from undamaged property. 2. Take photographs of all damaged property, including discarded objects, structural damage, and standing floodwater levels. Use care when doing so. 3. Make a list of damaged or lost items and include their date of purchase, value and receipt, if possible. 4. Place flooded items outside the home, if possible. Officials may require disposal of damaged items. During the visit, the adjuster will: Examine your damaged goods and property to help determine your final payment for flood damages. Give you a Proof of Loss form. This document is your official claim for damages. It substantiates the insurance claim and is required before the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) can compensate you for flood damage. Next steps: Complete, sign and return the Proof of Loss form to your insurance company within 60 days of the flood. Once you and your insurance company agree on the amount of damages, and they receive your completed and signed Proof of Loss form, they ll issue payment. Please note: If catastrophic flooding occurs, it may take longer to process claims and make payments due to the high volume of claims submitted. Easily access safety tips Keep this flyer handy and refer to it when a flood is imminent. For other safety tips, flood@thehartford.com or visit Submit online: and click on Report a Loss 2. Remind your customers how to prepare for an insurance adjuster visit. Refer them to our flyer, How to prepare for a visit from the insurance adjuster (available on imarket or The Hartford FloodPro) The information provided in these materials is intended to be general and advisory in nature. It shall not be considered legal advice. The Hartford does not warrant that the implementation of any view or recommendation contained herein will: (i) result in the elimination of any unsafe conditions at your business locations or with respect to your business operations; or (ii) will be an appropriate legal or business practice. The Hartford assumes no responsibility for the control or correction of hazards or legal compliance with respect to your business practices, and the views and recommendations contained herein shall not constitute our undertaking, on your behalf or for the benefit of others, to determine or warrant that your business premises, locations or operations are safe or healthful, or are in compliance with any law, rule or regulation. Readers seeking to resolve specific safety, legal or business issues or concerns related to the information provided in these materials should consult their safety consultant, attorney or business advisors. All information contained herein is as of September How to prepare for a visit from the insurance adjuster flyer Days later 1. Follow up with your customers who have flood damage Show you care Discuss the status of their flood claim days after a flood event 1. Mail prospecting postcards to potential flood customers in your territory (available on imarket or The Hartford FloodPro) 2. Mail thank-you note cards (available on imarket or The Hartford FloodPro) Prospecting postcards 6

7 Flood insurance made easy Tools to help you sell Hartford flood The Hartford offers a variety of tools to make it easy for you to sell flood insurance and to build relationships with your flood customers throughout the year. Tools for you (download on imarket or The Hartford FloodPro) In addition to this agent flood guide, here s a tool you ll want to keep handy: Agent flood checklist Keep the risk of flooding top of mind with a 12-month timeline plus a handy checklist of steps to take before, during and after a flood. Tools to share with customers or prospects (download on imarket or The Hartford FloodPro) Flood checklist Remind your customers what they should do before, during and after a flood with this handy checklist. Includes a 12-month timeline to help keep flood top of mind all year long. Flood prospecting postcards Drive flood business to your agency with these popular postcards that you can customize with your agency information. Loss control flyers Help your customers learn how to prepare for a flood, a hurricane and more with our informative flyers. Copy content Educate customers and prospects about their flood risk and more with informative content that you can easily place into your newsletters and s. How to prepare for a visit from the insurance adjuster flyer Show your flood customers the important steps they must take before the adjuster visits their property and before their flood claim payment can be issued. Thank-you note cards Show your customers you care about them by sending this card after their flood claim has been processed. Easy access to materials Go to imarket or The Hartford FloodPro to download marketing materials and customize them with your agency information. From the EBC: 1. Log in to ebc.thehartford.com 2. Under Commercial Insurance, click on Marketing 3. Select imarket (Marketing Materials Portal) 4. Under Browse/Search, type Flood From The Hartford FloodPro: 1. Log in to The Hartford FloodPro at 2. Under Resource Materials, click on Marketing Materials Free flood insurance training Join us for Hartford FloodPro Basics, a live webinar demonstration of The Hartford s online processing center. You ll learn how to navigate the site, complete a flood quote, report a loss, and more. And, watch for additional online training throughout the year on all things related to flood. Webinar: Hartford FloodPro Basics 7

8 Flood insurance made easy We provide all the tools you need to succeed in selling flood insurance. And, we ve put them right at your fingertips. Check out the complete summary of agent tools (25675), available on imarket or The Hartford FloodPro. Use these tools to help you grow your flood book of business. To learn more Contact your regional sales representative from The Hartford or All policies are written subject to the National Flood Insurance Program November 2013 The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved.