The Massachusetts legislature recently held a hearing on proposed distracted driving laws.  Many, though not all, of the proposed bills focus on banning drivers from using handheld devices while driving.

This got me thinking:  is it really the hand use that’s distracting?  What about the conversation itself?

I mean, how can you truly pay attention to the road, traffic and possible pedestrians when you’re deep in conversation about why Tom Brady is more elite than Eli Manning (or in my case, whether Heidi and Seal should try to work things out.)

Actually, any phone conversation that goes beyond, “Can you please pick up some milk?” can break a driver’s concentration.  So maybe drivers should only be allowed to use cellphones (hands-free, of course) to answer “yes” or “no” questions.

But, come to think of it, even conversations with other people in the car can be really distracting.  Ever been in a relationship and had the old “we need to talk” bomb dropped on you while driving?  Seriously, people, there’s an appropriate time and place for these discussions.  (For instance, one of my friend’s old beaus expressly invited her to the ironically named – and now defunct — Happy Haddock restaurant in Medford to drop the proverbial axe.  Now that’s thoughtful.  Or at least a little safer.)

OK, no conversations involving your love life while driving. And what about the mom whipping her head around to screech, “Do you want me to pull this car over right now?” Bad news.  So misbehaving kids in cars are out.

Wait.  The radio could also be distracting (especially when audience-participation songs like “YMCA” come on.)  They really should probably ban car radios too. 

But then what about the good-looking babe (or hunk) strutting down the sidewalk?  How many fender-benders are caused by ogling drivers – especially in spring when everyone is walking around practically naked?  (Conversely, does the presence of unattractive pedestrians enhance ones road concentration?)

OK, so no cell phones, no passengers, no radio and no hot pedestrians while driving.  I guess I could live with that.

But as I’m driving to work, I’m still thinking about Heidi and Seal.  Really, how can it be over when they seemed so perfect together and have such cute kids and renewed their vows every year and had those Halloween parties and he probably sang her “Kiss From A Rose” every morning over coffee and—whoa.  I just missed my turn.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, by now you’ve definitely heard about Project CAP (Consumer Agent Portal).  Last week, both CAP and MAIA announced that the industry website promised in the project’s Phase 1 has gone live.

And later this year, CAP will launch Phase 2:  a Consumer Portal where consumers can get real-time, comparative auto insurance quotes (thanks to vendors like us) and find agents in their area.  As we see it, CAP’s Portal will be better than the direct writers’ websites, because it will offer consumers access to:

1. multiple carriers – consumers can enter their risk info in one website and get quotes from various carriers serving a specific city or state;

2. independent agents’ unique brand of expertise – The fact is that while consumers want the convenience of price shopping online, they also want to get counseling and personalized service from a trusted agent.

And it’s not just us saying this.  We know online consumers want comparative quotes; many, many studies confirm this.  Here’s another one:  according to Google Insights for Search data, searches for “auto insurance quotes” (plural) have steadily increased since 2006, while searches for “auto insurance quote” (singular) and in the Auto Insurance category in general have declined or stayed the same.

And according to the latest PIA Partnership research results, personal lines insurance customers are looking for “expert advice and counseling,” “personalized attention and interaction,” and “excellent ‘relationship based’ customer service.”

We at Boston Software are excited about this effort to help independent writers take back Personal Lines.  We expect to be part of the CAP Portal, delivering MA auto and home quotes, and we’ve been working with CAP to make this happen.

In the meantime, check out CAP’s industry site, and prepare to kick some direct-writer butt.

At this time, the real-time connection between WinRater/SinglePoint and PRAC’s web rating engine can only handle drivers with an active MA driver’s license.

If you enter an Out of State License in WinRater, an incorrect driver class may be assigned resulting in an inaccurate PRAC quote.

This issue does not affect any other MA Auto carriers.

We recommend that you continue to enter all the information in WinRater as you normally would when quoting Out of State drivers; however, for PRAC policies be sure to Submit the quote to PRAC Web Agent system and review on their site to make sure the correct driver class has been assigned.

This issue was just brought to our attention — we are actively working on it with PRAC.

Please contact Phyllis Panico at 781.449.8585 or phyllis@bostonsoftware.com with questions.

Massachusetts agencies using our SinglePoint OCQ (Online Consumer Quotes) are entering Year 2 of their grand experiment:  using a digital marketing strategy to lure online insurance shoppers into requesting quotes directly from the agencies’ websites.

All signs are encouraging, with participating agencies calculating 15,000+ quotes through OCQ on their websites in 2011.  And at MAIA’s 2011 Big Event, we demo-ed the future of OCQ:  online shoppers getting “live”, real-time carrier quotes from agency websites.

Ever since we introduced OCQ, agent interest has been high.  Many agents have implemented OCQ, while others haven’t.

The difference between these agents?  According to SinglePoint Product Manager Tonya Pickett, “I think agents using OCQ have recognized that to survive, they need to find ways to compete with the ‘bigwigs’ who offer insurance quotes online.  They’ve identified their competition and are putting in the time and money to ride the waves.”

Tonya explains that agents using OCQ are proactively creating web marketing campaigns, reaching out to their current customer bases, and getting increased exposure for their agencies.  By offering online quote requests and integrating OCQ with WinRater, Tonya says, participating agents are saving their CSRs time while generating new business.

What about you?  Will you spend 2012 on the digital sidelines, letting a few agents capture all those online shoppers, or will you take the leap into the insurance future?

To learn more about how OCQ can help your agency, contact Tonya at 781-449-8585 x230 or at tonya@bostonsoftware.com.

Even great things can use an occasional upgrade (computers, spouses, etc.), and WinRater is no exception.  In early to mid-February, BSC plans to roll out its Spring 2012 upgrade to WinRater.

The stars of this upgraded version (which is – don’t worry — included in your annual licensing fee) will be two long-awaited and hotly anticipated new features:

• Comparison/Proposal Center, which will allow you to:

– run comparative quotes for a customer’s various lines of business on one screen;

– create customized savings charts and proposal letters for each customer.

• Report Center, which helps you keep your finger on the pulse of your agency.  This feature allows you to run a variety of reports on business quoted and written, based on date ranges, coverages, CSRs and more.

We’ve completed pilot testing on both these features and are incorporating final improvements our testers suggested.

But that’s not all…the Spring 2012 upgrade also will include:

• A feature that will allow you to manage your own SinglePoint settings;
• Additional workflow tips and hints right within WinRater.

So keep an eye out for a Softsync email from us, and get ready for some good stuff.

We’re always preaching about how WinRater streamlines your quote-to-issue workflow. To help you really make the leap from “pretty fast” to “faster than a speeding bullet,” we have three words for you:
“integration, integration, integration.”

By making sure your WinRater is integrated with all your other systems, you’ll eliminate the need for cumbersome rekeying and increase your efficiency by 1,000 percent (Charlie’s somewhat unscientific claim.) Hey, you don’t have to do it, but you can bet the agency down the street is.

So let WinRater do the heavy lifting for you. In addition to well-rested, energized fingertips, you’ll have extra time to do what you do best: sell.

There are lots of ways to integrate WinRater and automate your workflow. Here are our top three:

1. Integrate your WinRater with your Agency Management System. When you do this, you are essentially building a “bridge” between your Management System and WinRater . This bridge lets you seamlessly transfer client and policy information between the two systems.

Here’s an example of how integrating will save you time:

You need to remarket to a client. In the past, you would have had to retype all the client/policy information from your Management System into WinRater. You know, all the driver information, vehicle information (heck, just typing the VIN is about as easy as sequencing DNA), coverages, and more.

Fortunately, you now have integrated the two systems.

Instead of retyping, you simply use the “bridge” to send the information from your Management System to WinRater; the quote information will feed directly into your WinRater screen. Voilà! You are ready to remarket to your client.
.
WinRater integrates with the following agency management systems:

(AFW) AMS for Windows
AMS Prime
AMS 360
Applied
Instar
SIS Partner XE
Special Agent

Just go to http://www.bostonsoftware.com/integration.php and follow the setup instructions to install an integration bridge. Your fingers will thank you. (If you have trouble installing the bridge, please call Terry at 781-449-8585 and select Option 3, or email him at terry@bostonsoftware.com.)

2. Stop rekeying client’s Homeowner info for SinglePoint RealTime carriers.
Using real-time rating tools for personal lines saves agencies an estimated 68 minutes per employee day, according to a recent Real Time/Download Campaign survey. Many (but not enough) Massachusetts agents already are saving time and keystrokes by SinglePoint/Real-Time submitting their Auto business.

But did you know you can do the same with your clients’ Homeowners information? Instead of retyping Homeowners client and dwelling information and coverages, let WinRater’s SinglePoint/RealTime technology do the work for you! All you need to do is:

• Be sure you have valid SinglePoint credentials and that you have completed all HO client information.
• On the Premium Summary Screen, highlight the carrier to which you want to submit the business.
• On the bottom of the page, click the “Submit” button.
• A SinglePoint submissions application page will show on your screen. Click the green “Up” arrow at the top of the screen.
• Depending on your SinglePoint credentials, you may see a SinglePoint screen that tells you whether your attempt has been successful. When you see the “successful” notice, click on the carrier’s name (e.g., “Peerless”) on the screen. This will take you to the carrier’s website.
• Log in to the carrier’s website.
• Go to the quote-managing area of the website to review and edit your quote for issuance.

3. Run credit reports faster by integrating WinRater with the ChoicePoint website (or carrier websites.)

As you know, a good number of Homeowners carriers require agents to run insurance credit scores as part of their renewal and eligibility requirements. That terrible screech you hear is your workflow grinding to a halt as you have to visit the ChoicePoint website (or carrier websites), navigate their systems, re-enter data and more.

Did you know WinRater can do it for you with a click of a button? Our WinRater-ChoicePoint RealTime connection lets you pull credit reports directly within the WinRater Home Rating Software, while rating the policy. And WinRater instantly will verify the risk’s eligibility. Oh yeah. So don’t miss out – lots of agents are doing this already.

What you need to do: (you only need to redo this when your ChoicePoint password changes):

• As you are working on a Homeowners quote in WinRater, go to the Credit Scores tab. The names of Choicepoint-enabled carriers (link to http://www.winrater.com/integration.php) will appear in black; the rest will appear in gray. (If you want any non-enabled carriers to become enabled, just contact the carriers’ marketing reps.)
• Click the box next to each enabled carrier with which you would like to use ChoicePoint (you can select as many as you want at once).
• Click the “Retrieve” button.
• You’ll now see a client screen (for a more accurate score, you may want to input the client’s DOB and social security number here).
• A screen will appear asking for your credentials. Enter your valid ChoicePoint credentials (User ID and Password).
• Click OK. The customer’s credit score will display. (We recommend you print the report, because WinRater is unable to store it.

Starting with the next time you select a carrier or carriers, WinRater will automatically enter your ChoicePoint UserID and Password. It’s that easy.

So what are you waiting for? Start integrating now!

These three WinRater integrations are the ones we think will improve your workflow most, but there are lots of other ways too. Just think about all the quote data you have in WinRater and where you might want to send it (Word, Excel, your website or any other vehicle you use to sell and service your book of business).

The possibilities are endless!

Want to quote faster and more accurately?  Need help learning to use a new WinRater feature?  No matter what your learning style, we’re planning more resources for you in 2012:

• Group training sessions (some in conjunction with carriers) on ideal quote-to-issue workflow; getting accurate quotes; and the SinglePoint submission process.
• Webinars.  Look for us to announce the dates for these as we add new products and features to WinRater.
• An enhanced Online Learning Center (planned for 1st quarter) on our website featuring WinRater guides, tips and more.
• One-on-one online training.  From our office, our trainer logs on to your computer and trains you via an online web service as you chat on the phone.

To set up one-on-one online training or in-agent office training, please contact Judy Fanelli at 781-449-8585 (x238) or at judy@bostonsoftware.com.

When it comes to WinRater and Microsoft, “Home, sweet home” does not apply. Like lots of business applications, WinRater will not run properly on Microsoft Windows “Home” editions.

The short reason is because Microsoft designed its Home editions to cater to families’ and students’ home computers.  WinRater is a business application; therefore it needs the full-blown Business version of Windows.   In other words, as far as WinRater goes, Microsoft Home bad; Microsoft Business good.

Now for the longer, more detailed reason:

Microsoft’s Home Operating System is much more limited than the Business version.  For instance, on the Home system:

• Microsoft does not support networking (connecting to other computers or a domain);
• Microsoft has restricted important folders including the C:\Program Files\Folders.

These Home Operating System limitations protect the average family of users.  They also force businesses to upgrade to the Professional or Business editions of the Operating Systems in order to run business applications.
The WinRater Rating Suite is a business application that requires:

• Full Read/Write access to the WinRater folders and files;
• Full Read/Write access to the C:\BSRate folders and files;
• Full Read/Write access to .Ini and .Dll files in the C:\Windows folder.

This means that WinRater will not be able to fully function on the limited Home operating system.  While the software will likely install and run,

• The Home Operating System’s limitations can cause serious WinRater problems, including total loss of data (yes, this really has happened to people);
• Boston Software is unable to provide technical support for WinRater issues caused by the Home system’s limitations.

If you’re not sure whether you are running WinRater on the Microsoft Home or Business operating system,

• Right-Click on your “My Computer” icon (either on your Desktop or Start menu)
• Click on properties.

We strongly suggest that WinRater users using the Microsoft Home operating system upgrade to the Business operating system.  Trust us, everyone will be happier in the long run.

New Year’s resolutions:  everybody’s  got ‘em, and WinRater/SinglePoint is no exception.  Here’s what you can look forward to in 2012:

• More training: keeping you accurate, optimized and up-to-date is our top priority.  So we’re beefing up our training efforts with in-person group training, Webinars, virtual training, and office visits;

•  More upgrades:  SinglePoint System Settings, interface improvements, and other features you’ve requested;

•  Clearer communications:  more information and instructions available in your inbox and right in the product itself;

•  Real-Time Rating for OCQ:  comparative quotes will display right on your website.  This will be a reality in 2012.

On a more personal note, we asked our employees about their New Year’s resolutions.  Like many people, John Janek, our Operations Manager, has trouble keeping his resolutions realistic.
He states confidently, “My souped-up Mustang will be fully operational this year.”  See, now, this SEEMS realistic until you check into the history of said vehicle.

John informed us that he had Natick Ford order the Mustang directly from the factory in 1998 (yes, that was in the last millenium), then he launched into a soliloquy on Wet Sleeves, connecting rods and ported heads that had our eyes glazing over.  The bottom line is that he is on his third attempt to get his super-highly-performance-modified dream wheels up and running. The first two attempts resulted in spectacularly explosive disasters due to “defective parts” (quotation marks intentional).

John, if you can make it through the year without destroying the car or yourself, you’ll be ahead of the game.

What about you?  What are your personal or business New Year’s resolutions?  Are they realistic? We (and your fellow agents) want to know!

The holidays come this time every year and, for better or worse, we at Boston Software tend to do the same things.  Employees’ plans this year range from the traditional (family dinners, opening presents) to the practical (working, chopping wood for a cozy fire).

A few highlights:

Carol Bender and Charlie Walsh, both from large Irish families, say they each will be enjoying precious time with siblings, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews from near and far.

Translation:  They will be drinking heavily to numb the emotional pain.

Phyllis Panico and Janey Lopes-Ayoub say they will embody the spirit of giving, generously selecting special gifts for all on their holiday lists.

Translation:  They will be filing for bankruptcy on December 26.

Tonya Pickett, Danny Blood and Betsy Arenella, along with their young children, will be happily anticipating Santa’s visit.

Translation:  They will be madly rushing around past midnight, stopping every once in a while to hiss, “Santa can’t come until you’re really asleep,” and “No, that’s not the crinkling of wrapping paper you hear.  Now Go. To. Sleep.”

Speaking of Santa, I’ll bet you didn’t know that Boston Software has its very own Kris Kringle, Project Manager Jim Barry.  With his snow-white hair, rosy cheeks and twinkling blue eyes, Jim really does look like Old Saint Nick.

For the past eight years, Jim has been donning his Santa costume (he finds that it’s less and less of a transformation with each coming year) and “Ho-ho-ho”ing his way through various Christmas events.  Jim/Santa is the delight of grandchildren, nieces, nephews and now friends, balancing the kiddies on his knee, listening to Christmas wishes and passing out presents.  This year Jim will be playing Santa at a party with 20 kids (the most ever!)

Now here’s the interesting thing:  Jim is so into this Santa gig that he’s willing to make a special appearance at just about any Christmas event.  That is, as long as you give him a couple dollars tip, a shot of Jamison’s, and a gentle pat on his bottom.  So email Jim at jim@bostonsoftware.com with your event requests.  And if you have a special holiday wish – send it along too – he’ll do his best to make it come true!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from Boston Software!