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5/21/2009 Clients Know Their Car’s Worth Something! Do You “Agree”? Agreed-value coverage is a vital concept for a collector. But an estimated 50 percent of car hobbyists still have their vehicles insured under standard coverage. That’s bad news for the owner (and possibly bad news for the insurance professional’s E&O policy) when there’s a claim. Agreed-value coverage is almost always a better fit for a collector’s needs than is standard auto coverage. Here’s how agreed-value coverage works: The insurance provider and the collector jointly agree at time of policy issue on the value of the collector vehicle, based on recent sales, auto pricing manuals, and other data. Then, at claim time, agreed-value coverage pays the car’s insured value, minus the deductible, in the event of a total loss. When a collector has a claim, he or she won’t want to hear that they’ll be reimbursed at book value. With coverage from American Collectors, your clients will get agreed-value coverage. It’s all we sell. Read about agreed-value coverage: www.americancollectors.com/Collector_Vehicles/Policy_Features/28/ Link to this blog Comments (0)

5/7/2009 Your Customers Are Springing Into Action – Are You? It’s spring, and the thoughts of car lovers everywhere turn to … driving! Million of Americans are itching to get into their classic cars and hit the nearest car shows, line up for parades, and catch up with fellow collectors at car club meetings. With the trend toward “stay-cations” during the current economic downturn, expect more and more Americans to turn back to the simple pleasures, close to home. And there are few hobbies more American and more pleasurable than classic and collector cars. Here are three ways you can use a client’s love of cars to your advantage: 1) Ask your client to donate a “ride” for your favorite charity auction. Not all will, but if one donates a “ride,” it’s a win-win-win. The charity wins, the lucky winner gets a treat, and your client gets the chance to do something fun while helping out a cause. There’s nothing a car owner likes more than to have his car admired and appreciated. 2) Ask your client to drive his car in your local Memorial Day and Independence Day parades, if you’re involved in civic associations that sponsor these parades. (And snap a photo of the owner with the car, and send the photo to him with a thank-you note.) 3) Ask your client if he wants giveaways for his fellow car club members. Car hobbyists will appreciate having our “Please Don’t Touch” signs and a poster of some great collector vehicles. These giveaways are courtesy of American Collectors, at no cost to you. American Collectors can mail them directly to your client, or you can forward them on with your business cards. Order them today–free–on our Web site here. Any of these things will help you forge a closer relationship with your client. And better client relationships mean more business and more referrals. Link to this blog Comments (0)

5/4/2009 American Collectors Insurance proudly announces that we are open for business in the great state of Alaska! For over 30 years, American Collectors Insurance has provided affordable, Agreed Value coverage to generations of collector car enthusiasts. We are excited to finally be able to offer our specialty vehicle insurance to our friends and neighbors in the north! Car collectors in Alaska can expect to receive: Agreed Value Coverage, which guarantees the full value of your vehicle in the event of a total loss (less any deductible) Competitive pricing – Our affordable coverage now offers even greater savings, thanks to a wide variety of discounts designed with the car collector in mind. Flexible Mileage/Usage – Multiple mileage and usage plans are available, including our “Freedom Tier,” which enables drivers up to 7,500 miles per year. Our exclusive TLC (Towing & Labor for Collectors) Plan is also available in the state offering three affordable levels of coverage. We welcome the 49^th state to our family and look forward to serving the needs of the Alaskan collector car community! Alaskans can click here for an instant quote or contact us toll-free – 1-800-360-2277 (Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 7:00 pm EST). Link to this blog Comments (0)

4/28/2009 Breaking News from American Collectors Insurance! Keep an eye out for big news from American Collectors Insurance early next week! *Hint – It’s 586,000 square miles in size Link to this blog Comments (0)

4/20/2009 Making Social Media work for your agency! Are you promoting your insurance agency on Twitter? Thinking about promoting your agency with Twitter? Not sure what Twitter is? Regardless of which category you fit, we’ll provide some insight and tips which will help you decide whether or not Twitter is a good fit for your business. Twitter defined Twitter is a social media tool that allows users to “microblog” within posts of up to 140 characters in length. These posts, also known as “tweets” are posted to the user’s profile and sent to other users who have signed up to follow the user. While twitter is described as a mini-blogging tool, it’s also a way to maintain interaction with a selected group of people. It allows you to develop immediate, one on one relationships with the people you choose to follow - which is a great opportunity for companies and professionals to connect with and reach out to people or prospects. Setting up your Twitter page When you create the account for your business, you will have the option to keep your Twitter feed private. If you select private, only the people you approve to follow you will see your updates. If the strategy behind your Twitter page is to connect with people, you want to make sure your posts are public so anyone can see your posts. Twitter tip - Want to find specific groups of people to connect with? Try Twellow.com, the Twitter Yellow Pages. I’ve created my Twitter page. How do I gain followers? The best way to attract followers is to post interesting, thought-provoking tweets and react to tweets that you find useful or intriguing. All of this should be done on a fairly consistent basis. When users see that you are routinely posting helpful and informative content, they’re more likely to begin following you. By following other users, linking to content relevant to your industry, offering advice and/or professional insight, your Twitter page should begin gaining attention. Twitter tip – Want to find a way to connect your agency’s Facebook account with your Tweets? Check out Tweetdeck.com, a browser that connects your contacts across Facebook, Twitter and more. Already up and running on Twitter? Follow the American Collectors Insurance Twitter feed at http://www.twitter.com/AmerCollectIns. Link to this blog Comments (0)

5/21/2009

Clients Know Their Car’s Worth Something! Do You “Agree”?

Agreed-value coverage is a vital concept for a collector. But an estimated 50 percent of car hobbyists still have their vehicles insured under standard coverage.

That’s bad news for the owner (and possibly bad news for the insurance professional’s E&O policy) when there’s a claim. Agreed-value coverage is almost always a better fit for a collector’s needs than is standard auto coverage.

Here’s how agreed-value coverage works: The insurance provider and the collector jointly agree at time of policy issue on the value of the collector vehicle, based on recent sales, auto pricing manuals, and other data. Then, at claim time, agreed-value coverage pays the car’s insured value, minus the deductible, in the event of a total loss.

When a collector has a claim, he or she won’t want to hear that they’ll be reimbursed at book value. With coverage from American Collectors, your clients will get agreed-value coverage. It’s all we sell.

Read about agreed-value coverage: www.americancollectors.com/Collector_Vehicles/Policy_Features/28/

Link to this blog Comments (0)

5/7/2009

Your Customers Are Springing Into Action – Are You?

It’s spring, and the thoughts of car lovers everywhere turn to … driving!

Million of Americans are itching to get into their classic cars and hit the nearest car shows, line up for parades, and catch up with fellow collectors at car club meetings.

With the trend toward “stay-cations” during the current economic downturn, expect more and more Americans to turn back to the simple pleasures, close to home. And there are few hobbies more American and more pleasurable than classic and collector cars.

Here are three ways you can use a client’s love of cars to your advantage:

1) Ask your client to donate a “ride” for your favorite charity auction. Not all will, but if one donates a “ride,” it’s a win-win-win. The charity wins, the lucky winner gets a treat, and your client gets the chance to do something fun while helping out a cause. There’s nothing a car owner likes more than to have his car admired and appreciated.

2) Ask your client to drive his car in your local Memorial Day and Independence Day parades, if you’re involved in civic associations that sponsor these parades. (And snap a photo of the owner with the car, and send the photo to him with a thank-you note.)

3) Ask your client if he wants giveaways for his fellow car club members. Car hobbyists will appreciate having our “Please Don’t Touch” signs and a poster of some great collector vehicles. These giveaways are courtesy of American Collectors, at no cost to you. American Collectors can mail them directly to your client, or you can forward them on with your business cards. Order them today–free–on our Web site here.

Any of these things will help you forge a closer relationship with your client. And better client relationships mean more business and more referrals.

Link to this blog Comments (0)

5/4/2009

American Collectors Insurance proudly announces that we are open for business in the great state of Alaska!

For over 30 years, American Collectors Insurance has provided affordable, Agreed Value coverage to generations of collector car enthusiasts. We are excited to finally be able to offer our specialty vehicle insurance to our friends and neighbors in the north!

Car collectors in Alaska can expect to receive:

Agreed Value Coverage, which guarantees the full value of your vehicle in the event of a total loss (less any deductible)
Competitive pricing – Our affordable coverage now offers even greater savings, thanks to a wide variety of discounts designed with the car collector in mind.
Flexible Mileage/Usage – Multiple mileage and usage plans are available, including our “Freedom Tier,” which enables drivers up to 7,500 miles per year.

Our exclusive TLC (Towing & Labor for Collectors) Plan is also available in the state offering three affordable levels of coverage.

We welcome the 49^th state to our family and look forward to serving the needs of the Alaskan collector car community!

Alaskans can click here for an instant quote or contact us toll-free – 1-800-360-2277 (Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 7:00 pm EST).

Link to this blog Comments (0)

4/28/2009

Breaking News from American Collectors Insurance!

Keep an eye out for big news from American Collectors Insurance early next week!

*Hint – It’s 586,000 square miles in size

Link to this blog Comments (0)

4/20/2009

Making Social Media work for your agency!

Are you promoting your insurance agency on Twitter? Thinking about promoting your agency with Twitter? Not sure what Twitter is?

Regardless of which category you fit, we’ll provide some insight and tips which will help you decide whether or not Twitter is a good fit for your business.

Twitter defined

Twitter is a social media tool that allows users to “microblog” within posts of up to 140 characters in length. These posts, also known as “tweets” are posted to the user’s profile and sent to other users who have signed up to follow the user. While twitter is described as a mini-blogging tool, it’s also a way to maintain interaction with a selected group of people. It allows you to develop immediate, one on one relationships with the people you choose to follow - which is a great opportunity for companies and professionals to connect with and reach out to people or prospects.

Setting up your Twitter page

When you create the account for your business, you will have the option to keep your Twitter feed private. If you select private, only the people you approve to follow you will see your updates. If the strategy behind your Twitter page is to connect with people, you want to make sure your posts are public so anyone can see your posts.

Twitter tip - Want to find specific groups of people to connect with? Try Twellow.com, the Twitter Yellow Pages.

I’ve created my Twitter page. How do I gain followers?

The best way to attract followers is to post interesting, thought-provoking tweets and react to tweets that you find useful or intriguing. All of this should be done on a fairly consistent basis.

When users see that you are routinely posting helpful and informative content, they’re more likely to begin following you. By following other users, linking to content relevant to your industry, offering advice and/or professional insight, your Twitter page should begin gaining attention.

Twitter tip – Want to find a way to connect your agency’s Facebook account with your Tweets? Check out Tweetdeck.com, a browser that connects your contacts across Facebook, Twitter and more.

Already up and running on Twitter? Follow the American Collectors Insurance Twitter feed at http://www.twitter.com/AmerCollectIns.

Link to this blog Comments (0)

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