OCQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What do I get with OCQ?

A. OCQ is really a sales & marketing tool. You get the license to use OCQ’s Request-A-Quote form, where visitors to your website enter their risk information and request an auto insurance quote. You also get OCQ’s integrated data transfer, which takes the data from the Request-a-Quote form and sends it to your WinRater/SinglePoint eliminating any re-keying of data. And, you get all of your online quote requests organized in WinRater/SinglePoint’s simplified quote-to-issue workflow.

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Q. Does OCQ handle quote requests for Homeowners?

A. Not at this time – it only handles Massachusetts Auto quote requests -- but HO quote requests will be available very soon. We’re working on it now.

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Q. How much does OCQ cost?

A. We are currently offering OCQ at a special price of $195. This includes technical support for setup, troubleshooting, and training. The license period runs through December 31, 2011, just like your WinRater Auto Rating Software license.

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Q. Do I have to be a computer whiz to set up OCQ onto my website?

A. No, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to set up OCQ onto your website, but we recommend that a person with at least moderate technical expertise handle the set up for you. At a minimum, this person should have knowledge of HTML/CSS and experience building or maintaining a website.

The process is very much like embedding a YouTube video onto your website, so if you can do that, then you can hook up the OCQ Request-a-Quote form and begin using it.

The set up procedure is straight forward: Boston Software must first configure your WinRater/SinglePoint account. We’ll send you an email with the HTML code you need that connects OCQ to your website which you'll paste into your website's code. This step should only take a few minutes. Keep in mind that even though Boston Software can provide you with assistance and troubleshooting, we cannot make the changes to your website for you.

We then recommend that you run SoftSync to ensure that you have the most up-to-date software. And after that is complete, you will need to run WKSetup.exe on each PC that will be using OCQ. WKSetup.exe is located in the WinRater folder (found either on your machine’s C drive or on your network, depending on your office’s setup).

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Q. What is the difference between embedding the Request-a-Quote form and linking to it?

A. In either case the form is actually housed on the Boston Software web server and we take care of all the security, maintenance, and upgrades for you.

If you choose to embed the Request-a-Quote form onto your website, you will “insert” the form into a web page on your site (exactly how a YouTube video appears on news sites or blogs). You can control the look and feel surrounding the form just as you do for any other page on your site.

If you link to the Request-a-Quote form, a separate browser window will appear with your agency’s form loaded. It still looks like your agency website because we’ll customize the form with your agency logo, contact information, and background color. Think of this as a template with a header and background section that can be customized.

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Q. If I use the link, won’t my website visitors be confused?

A. No, with the Request-a-Quote link, we provide you with the HTML code to create a button on your website. When clicked, a new window opens with the Request-a-Quote form, and your prospects enter their data. But they won’t know they’ve actually left your site.

We’ve set it up so you can customize the area around the linked form with your agency logo, address and phone number, and it will look like it’s a just another window on your website.

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Q. Does OCQ protect the private data that consumers enter on the Request-a-Quote form?

A. Absolutely. All data collected and transferred in SinglePoint OCQ is encrypted with SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). Also, we comply with all federal and state laws applicable to personal information including M.G.L. c. 93H, 201 CMR 17.00 (Standards for the Protection of Personal Information of Residents of the Commonwealth).

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Q. Visitors to my website can already request a quote from our agency. Why would I want to use OCQ?

A. You can continue to publish your own quote request form on your web site and have your CSR re-key the risk data into your WinRater to get a quote.

However, you can connect your form to OCQ so you get the benefit of having the data automatically transferred into your WinRater, where your CSRs can work up a comprehensive quote without re-keying. Keep in mind, you’ll need to make some modifications so that your quote request data can be imported into WinRater. This will require the assistance of a programmer or web developer. (There may also be additional charge from Boston Software if customization is required on our part – please call us about this.)

Or, of course, you can switch to OCQ’s Request-a-Quote form, and let us take care of the mapping, updating and security, which will save you money and headaches.

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Q. Do I need additional staff to run OCQ?

A. Not at all – the beauty of OCQ is that it seamlessly transfers all the quote request data directly into your WinRater/SinglePoint and thus fits into your CSRs’ regular workflow. Your CSRs will quickly find that they can work up an online consumer quote request faster than one they get over the phone, since OCQ literally does the data entry for you.

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Q. What coverage limits can the consumer request? Can I customize them based on my agency’s standard recommendations?

A. OCQ is currently set up with four coverage options -- Minimum, Basic, Standard and Premium, and consumers can select from these options. Our initial version of OCQ does not allow you to customize the limits that appear on the form, but that will be available in a later edition.

The good news is that once the quote request data is transferred to WinRater, your CSRs can adjust the coverage and limits as they see fit before presenting to their prospects.

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Q. How will I know that someone has requested a quote?

A. OCQ sends an email every time a quote is requested to a mailbox or CSR that you assign. And, since we’ve integrated OCQ with WinRater, all CSRs will be able to access the quote requests from the new WinRater Quick Start Menu.

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Q. Do I really need OCQ?

A. Well, you probably know that 2 of 3 auto insurance consumers are using the web for research or purchasing. This number is going to increase as the Internet functionality improves and access to the web increases (thanks to greater connectivity and smartphones).

Why not let your website visitors request a quote from you (rather than a lizard) while they’re doing their research? And with your expertise, you can help guide them to the proper level of protection.

OCQ is a great way to dip your toe into online marketing and sales, without having to spend a lot of money to do it. OCQ can definitely enhance your web site by providing dynamic functionality to your site. We believe that OCQ is the kind of technology that independent agents should use to meet the needs of their consumers, who are no doubt using the web to research and purchase Auto insurance in today’s “connected” world.

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Q. Will OCQ be able to calculate a quote right on my site?

A. Yes eventually your prospects will be able to get an instant quote from your website in real-time. We are currently lining up carriers so we can provide this service together. It will work exactly like OCQ’s current workflow, but instead of having your CSRs generate a quote, it will actually calculate the premium and display it on your website. Look for more information from us in the first quarter, 2011.

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Q. Should I just wait until consumer online real-time rating is available?

That would be short-sighted. In order for carriers and vendors like us to invest in developing new technology, agents have to do their part and implement each step within their agency. We always say, this is a partnership and together we will succeed or fail.  

Quite simply, consumer online real-time rating will not be possible if enough agents do not implement this first step (OCQ) and demonstrate their commitment to the online marketing of their services.

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