INSURANCE TECHNOLOGY
HawkSoft | March 10, 2021
HawkSoft, the Oregon-based management system and insurtech provider, has introduced a new tool to eliminate double-entry on the web: HawkLink for Google Chrome. Insurance professionals often waste valuable hours and risk E&O exposure by physically re-entering client and policy information from their management system into carrier portals or other insurance websites.
As an extension for the most popular web browser in the world, HawkLink for Google Chrome enables agency staff to effortlessly auto-fill agency, client, and policy information from their HawkSoft management system into most websites compatible with the Chrome browser. HawkLink passes information from the HawkSoft management system into websites for quoting, policy servicing, digital payment processing, and premium finance. The intelligent tool adjusts as it memorizes where information is flooded to on specific insurance websites. Agents can share their field mappings back to HawkSoft to add to crowd-sourced database of mappings already available to all agencies.
The first iteration of HawkLink was introduced in 2003 as a toolbar on the then-dominant Internet Explorer browser. "There was so much rich data in our management system that we wanted to make available to use on company websites," recalls Paul Hawkins, CEO and co-founder of HawkSoft, remembering the genesis of HawkLink. The original toolbar and later dedicated browser version of HawkLink have saved HawkSoft agencies thousands of hours over the years. With the browser popularity shifting from Internet Explorer to Google Chrome, the original toolbar's efficacy needed a rethinking. "We knew it was time to give HawkLink some love," said Paul Hawkins, "and this was an opportunity to re-invent HawkLink with ideas that have come up over the years but that the old toolbar could no longer support."
Sean Hawkins, VP of Development and co-founder of HawkSoft, took on the challenge of redesigning HawkLink as a browser extension to Google Chrome. "Our Product and Development teams have made so much progress towards moving HawkSoft into the cloud," noted Sean, "that we could really innovate on how HawkLink works." This included making HawkLink an extension for Google Chrome, leveraging easier data accessibility through HawkSoft Cloud to increase the amount of available data, and making mapping websites a crowd-sourced and community-driven initiative. Sean explained, "crowd-sourced mappings was our Holy Grail for this version of HawkLink. With it, HawkLink for Google Chrome gets better every time a HawkSoft agency uses it to map a new website." HawkLink for Google Chrome has over 50 common and regional insurance carriers, financial services and government websites pre-mapped for auto-fill thanks to crowd-sourcing efforts by agencies and direct collaboration with the website owners. Dozens of new websites are being added every month.
For HawkSoft agencies, HawkLink for Google Chrome is cutting down the time it takes to navigate and use their company websites. HawkLink can launch multiple company websites at once, a powerful time saver for agents like Kelly Endicott of Ohio. "My staff and I generally know the three or four companies we might place a new client with, which is why we haven't felt the need to invest in a comparative rater," said Kelly. "With HawkLink, I can launch those websites in one go and make it through each quote process in a matter of minutes." For agents that understand where to place a risk, she observed, "HawkLink is the fastest way to get an accurate and bindable quote from a company."
HawkLink for Google Chrome is available with the latest release of HawkSoft, out now for all customers. The feature is available at no additional cost.
About HawkSoft
Since 1995, HawkSoft is a leader in management systems for independent insurance agencies that want effective workflows and a delightful experience for staff and policyholders. Created by independent agents, HawkSoft continues to evolve as a cutting-edge system that powers thousands of agencies. HawkSoft offers the following promise to insurance agents: your investment in HawkSoft will pay for itself in the first year.
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AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE
Zurich North America | November 30, 2021
Zurich North America today announced an enhanced suite of vehicle protection products designed to meet the unique needs of electric vehicle (EV) owners. The comprehensive set of products provides coverage from the repair or replacement of high-voltage rechargeable batteries to roadside assistance for recharging EV batteries that run out of power mid-trip. The suite of products covers nearly all manufacturers including Tesla, Rivian and Polestar.
The offering represents new investment in products and services to support Zurich's automobile dealership customers and has the potential to help dealerships diversify their revenue streams through the F&I office and the service lane.
"As a leading provider of vehicle protection solutions in the U.S., we remain committed to introducing products and services that will meet the evolving needs of our customers, With forecasts predicting EVs will represent nearly half of all new cars sold in 2030, Zurich's EV protection products are now in place to provide assurance to EV owners and help them manage the potential high cost of electric vehicle ownership."
- Vince Santivasi, Head of Direct Markets for Zurich North America.
An electric vehicle operates on an electric circuit run by computers. Repairs on items such as an electronic display screen can cost thousands of dollars. A high-voltage battery is one of the most expensive components in an EV with average replacement costs of $5,500.
Zurich's EV protection products include:
Vehicle Service Contracts
Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP)
Road Hazard Tire and Wheel
Environmental Protection Plan
Paintless Dent Repair
Key Replacement
Select Protection
Universal Security Guard®
Lease Wear and Use
Zurich offers a full suite of vehicle protection products for gas-combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles. Zurich's F&I products are available to consumers through a nationwide network of franchised auto dealers.
Over the last 100 years, Zurich has evolved alongside its auto dealer customers, listening to their needs and challenges, and developing solutions that help accelerate their growth and protect their legacy. Zurich remains committed to helping dealers grow and protect their business. New investments including the implementation of new products and services are underway as the company prepares to mark 100 years of service to automobile dealerships. These investments address the ever-evolving needs of the dealership industry.
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CORE INSURANCE
Patriot Growth Insurance Services | January 10, 2022
Patriot Growth Insurance Services, LLC ("Patriot"), one of the country's largest and fastest-growing national insurance agencies, announces the addition of several key partners to its Florida operations, including Kolisch Marine, Depace Insurance, MacLeish Insurance, Focus Insurance Agency, Herndon Carr & Company, and Crosslet Insurance Services. These six partnerships will work within Patriot's Shapiro Insurance Group (SIG) platform, and significantly expand Patriot's expertise and capabilities throughout the Southeast region.
Kolisch Marine, located in Coral Gables, specializes in marine insurance. Moving forward, Joe Kolisch and the team will share their yacht insurance expertise with Patriot's 1,300 employees across the U.S. Patriot will assist Kolisch Marine clients with a broader array of resources and services to fulfill their insurance needs.
Bob MacLeish and his team join us with over 30 years of industry experience. Based in Orlando, the agency is immersed in community involvement while specializing in both personal and commercial lines. All staff will remain as SIG provides added carriers, technology, and back-office support.
Located in Coral Springs, Depace Insurance provides a full array of personal lines insurance and services to its clients. Founders Joe and Susan Depace will transition to retirement while the entire professional team will continue providing their exceptional level of service. Working with Patriot, Depace will receive significant upgrades to their office automation and administrative support.
Located in Plantation, Florida, Focus Insurance specializes in personal lines with a group of professionals that is fluent in five languages! The entire client service team remains to support existing and new clientele.
Herndon Carr & Company have served the Fort Myers area since 1974. Reed Herndon and Thomas Carr are partners at Patriot and will play a critical role in southwest Florida through their work in personal lines, commercial lines, and employee benefits. Their entire team will remain in place, servicing existing clients and synergizing with other agencies in the region as services expand.
Serving Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and surrounding areas, Crosslet Insurance Services will provide ongoing expertise for business and residential communities. SIG broadens the carrier lineup for clients in this region while providing marketing and other essential services.
"These six partner agencies joining the Patriot family represent a milestone in growing our talent and reach across the entire state of Florida, Each of these agencies and leadership teams bring a unique expertise and are closely aligned with the communities that they serve. We are beyond thrilled to welcome them to the Patriot family."
-Steve Carroll, SVP of M&A for Patriot.
"We're delighted to add Crosslet, Depace, MacLeish, Kolisch, Focus, and Herndon Carr to our continuously growing operations in the Florida region. Their diverse expertise and significant experience will further expand our reach and enhance our relationships throughout the Florida marketplace, We deeply value these partnerships, driving strategic priorities forward while complementing our culture and community growth."
-Joel Shapiro, President of SIG.
"We're thrilled to welcome these exceptional teams and their clients to Patriot as we expand our leadership in the region. They share our vision and drive for superior quality of service, making them excellent partners, We continue to search for passionate, driven and engaged agency partners like MacLeish, Depace, Focus, Crosslet, Herndon Carr, and Kolisch to share best practices and benefit from collaboration opportunities across Patriot's platform."
-Matt Gardner, Founder and CEO of Patriot.
About Patriot Growth Insurance Services
Founded in 2019, Patriot is a growth-focused national insurance services firm that partners with employee benefits and property & casualty agencies across the United States. In its second year of operation, Patriot was ranked in the top-40 largest insurance brokers in the U.S. by Business Insurance. With over 1,350 employees operating in 110 locations across 19 states, Patriot's collaborative model delivers resources and strategic support to its agencies, whose leaders continue to operate with a high degree of autonomy in their local markets. Patriot creates true alignment with its partner agencies, and its operating philosophy fosters enhanced career opportunities for its dedicated and professional team. Patriot is backed by GI Partners and Summit Partners.
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