Insurance Agency Joins Mo. Auto Dealer in 1st Time Partnership

When buying a new or used car, cost is always an issue and car insurance shopping is always a stressful task. Just as banks now have agencies connected to mortgage lending, a new day has dawned when shoppers for automobiles can purchase insurance for their new or used car right at the dealership.

St. Louis-based Suntrup Automotive has added an insurance agency to their roster of customer offerings, according to a joint statement issued by Suntrup and Equity One Franchisors, LLC. of GlobalGreen Insurance Agency. Global Green will give Suntrup customers access to insurance agency offerings through the dealership, expediting the whole process Suntrup management contends.

“To expand the options available to our new car, used car and financial customers, we decided to develop a GlobalGreen Insurance Agency in conjunction with the Suntrup brand,” said Butch Suntrup, president of Suntrup Nissan, Volkswagen, Hyundai and Kia. “We are confident that we can save our current and potential customers money. By developing this one-stop-shop approach to cars and car insurance, you can come to Suntrup and drive off the lot with ease knowing that your car and insurance needs are in good hands.”

Equity One Franchisors, LLC, franchisor of GlobalGreen Insurance Agencies maintains contracts with insurance companies across the country including Travelers, Safeco, MetLife, AIG, Hartford, America First, Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Prudential, Zurich and Delta Dental. Through these partnerships, GlobalGreen offers home, auto, long-term care, business/commercial, health, life, disability, group benefits and dental insurance.

Suntrup also operates Suntrup Mortgage and will offer their mortgage customers access to GlobalGreen’s carriers.

“Insurance does not need to be a separate entity,” said Ray Spears, president and chief executive officer of Equity One Franchisors. “The Suntrup family is making strides in both the automotive and insurance industries by combining the two offerings.”

Spears told Insurance Journal that having an insurance agency connected to a dealership does not foster a “conflict of interest.”

“Having the option is just a real benefit for customers. There is no pressure put on customers to purchase insurance through GlobalGreen,” Spears said.

According to Spears, this is a first. “To our knowledge, there are no other auto dealers of any type in the country that are selling insurance as well,” he said.

Through the franchising network, locally owned GlobalGreen insurance agencies are equipped with “big” company tools. Spears said at present, the agency has two agents on board with plans to increase that number. He said the franchisors invest resources in member agencies with a focus on personal contact and also widen the scope of the number of companies an agent can represent.

“This is a real time benefit to agents in smaller or medium-sized agencies,” he said.

For more information, visit www.globalgreeninsuranceonline.com or call 636-536-5005.