Allstate On Track with Multi-Channel Strategy
The carrier is also in the process of identifying customer relationship management technology vendors, Groot says, adding that the firm expects to make some decisions in the first half of the year. ""This is a big commitment for us,"" he says. ""Since CRM applications really do drive a lot of your data, we want to be sure we know what we're getting into.""
Groot says the success of the initiatives so far puts Allstate in a strong position with regard to its traditional competitors. ""I think we've been copied, in essence, by State Farm Mutual and Nationwide Insurance in terms of creating an integrated approach,"" he contends. Of less traditional competition, Groot says, ""Progressive gets a lot of kudos for their Web site but they really don't have an integrated offering because their direct business is separate from their agent business, which is entirely produced by independent agents.""
At press time, Allstate and InsWeb (Sacramento, CA) announced they had entered into a two-year services agreement under which Allstate will market its auto, homeowners, renters and condominium insurance products at InsWeb's online marketplace.
Anthony O'Donnell has covered technology in the insurance industry since 2000, when he joined the editorial staff of Insurance & Technology. As an editor and reporter for I&T and the InformationWeek Financial Services of TechWeb he has written on all areas of information ... View Full Bio
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