Cigna Lets Agents Text for Quotes

Cigna's Supplemental Benefits division has introduced two new mobile capabilities for agents selling its Cigna Medicare Supplement Solutions and Cigna Supplemental Solutions insurance products insured by American Retirement and Loyal American Life Insurance Companies.

One, #ExpressTXT, allows agents to send a text message with a customer's ZIP code, age and gender, and immediately receive premium rates for available Medigap insurance plans as well as a quote for Final Expense Whole Life insurance. Agents also can receive text alerts to follow the status of the applications they have submitted.

In addition, agents who want to use their smartphones in a more traditional way now can get premium quotes on all available insurance plans through Cigna's #ExpressQuote mobile web application. The company also has released a full iPad app with a full quoting platform for Medigap and Final Expense and an online application submission tool for paperless application submissions.

"Today's agents are out where their customers are, and we know that many times they find themselves without access to the internet or paper rate sheets. We're excited to introduce Cigna's #ExpressTXT, #ExpressQuote and iPad mobile applications because they provide agents with great flexibility for addressing their customers' needs anytime and anywhere. Getting immediate quotes through the texts, submitting business and resolving potential problems more quickly because of the alerts give agents more time to focus on building their businesses," said Brad Wolfram, Divisional President, Cigna Supplemental Benefits, in a statement.

Similar mobile features for in-force policies, along with additional products available through the iPad application, are in the works as well, Cigna says.

[MetLife launches producer iPad app]

Nathan Golia is senior editor of Insurance & Technology. He joined the publication in 2010 as associate editor and covers all aspects of the nexus between insurance and information technology, including mobility, distribution, core systems, customer interaction, and risk ... View Full Bio