Insurance Kiosks the Wave of the Future?

By | November 8, 2013

  • November 8, 2013 at 1:36 pm
    thomas murphy says:
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    Kiosks where tried in northern calif. Did not work, the problem when the wife went shopping, the husband needed someone to talk to and he ended up at the KIOSKS TO KILL TIME.

  • November 8, 2013 at 4:48 pm
    jw says:
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    I was part of a bank owned agency that had bank and insurance located in local supermarkets. The idea was that you drop off your insurance policy and the quote was ready when you finished shopping. It was never cost effective.

  • November 8, 2013 at 5:48 pm
    ike says:
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    “Incentives, like a gift card for the store where the kiosk is located, will be offered to those who purchase their insurance, which is a benefit to the retailer as well.”

    Isn’t that rebating?

    • November 12, 2013 at 9:19 pm
      InsuranceGeek says:
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      In many states, yes.

  • November 11, 2013 at 10:39 am
    idk says:
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    The online – computer oriented – minimal human interaction commerce is already here and growing in every type of product. It is what it is…and this seems to make sense.

    • November 12, 2013 at 7:13 pm
      InsuranceGeek says:
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      It makes sense maybe if you’re buying a pound of salt. Most people wouldn’t buy a bag of mulch sight unseen, but they’ll buy an insurance contract without considering what it covers or, more importantly, DOESN’T cover.

      It’s a disgrace that our own industry has convinced consumers that the only real difference between auto insurance is the price. And it’s a shame that insurance regulators will let insurance companies sell policies with potentially catastrophic exclusions in them.

      Not only is the insured putting everything they own on the line, but if they have no coverage, the person they hurt is at risk as well.

      • November 13, 2013 at 11:33 am
        jw says:
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        InsuranceGeek – all forms have to be approved in my state; doesn’t matter if they’re sold online or in an agent’s office. I’m not sure how “potentially catastrophic exclusions” would be sold online.

        • July 20, 2014 at 9:49 pm
          InsuranceGeek says:
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          Some policies cover pizza delivery and some don’t. That might not be a problem until someone loses their job and starts delivering pizzas to make ends meet, then kills someone while checking their GPS.

  • November 11, 2013 at 12:09 pm
    Josh Jarrett says:
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    Some good points in the comments about how kiosks have been tried before without much success. We also tried them in the past and they ended up being solid payment collection devices in our offices but not much more than that. We think the difference this time is a combination of technology, vastly improved customer experience, and a built in incentive to generate quotes via the gift cards. Our extensive user testing and user interface development (including prefill) coupled with having the ability to speak with a licensed agent on the kiosk should help consumers become comfortable with this agency in a box concept. And again, we hope the gift card encourages customers to give the kiosk a chance.

    Thanks for the insights and the comments.

    • November 11, 2013 at 3:47 pm
      SWFL Agent says:
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      Josh, thanks for the comments and agree that improved technology could make this work. I would suspect that an equally essential component for success of the kiosks would be the brand. People may not be comfortable making an expensive purchase (expensive relative to other items) unless they are familiar and comfortable with the brand. For example people will hit the “buy button” with Geico on the internet but may not purchase on an IA website.

    • November 12, 2013 at 9:21 pm
      InsuranceGeek says:
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      Regarding the gift cards, I’d suggest getting counsel to look at Tennessee Code Annotated 56-8-104(8) that addresses rebating as an Unfair Trade Practice.

  • November 12, 2013 at 2:59 pm
    Brian Sykes says:
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    With 2 years in the works, it is exciting to see the kiosk we designed and built for Direct Auto out in the marketplace. I am the Director of Marketing for Meridian, the self service solution company that designed / built the units and provided the secure data integration on our Mzero software platform. As a concept realized, this is a disruptive technology that simplifies the sales process. A leading competitor touts a 15-minute policy quote, while this does the same in 60-seconds. The client can even have a policy in hand in about 6-minutes. Convenience and time are huge benefits to us all. A simple walk-through that is clear and easy to understand… I think Direct Auto may be breaking the insurance sales mold.

    • November 12, 2013 at 3:28 pm
      Yeah, that should do it Brian says:
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      Gone in 60 seconds underwriting. Claims going to be paid in the same time frame?

    • November 12, 2013 at 7:15 pm
      InsuranceGeek says:
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      Are you going to let consumers read your insurance policy before they make a purchase? Is there a place online where a consumer can review your policy today?

    • November 12, 2013 at 9:26 pm
      InsuranceGeek says:
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      Would enter into a lease without reading it or sign loan documents on a house without reading them if the other party said you could save time and close the deal in 6 minutes?

    • July 19, 2014 at 11:20 am
      Victor says:
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      Brian, does Meridian own this specific solution? I have seen others out the market. What makes this unique?

      Thanks!

    • July 20, 2014 at 9:55 pm
      InsuranceGeek says:
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      If I had been exposed to a potentially fatal disease, I’d definitely want a doctor who could examine me in 60 seconds. Or maybe 7 1/2 minutes. Or 15 minutes tops. Who could possibly want a doctor who would take an hour or more to do a detailed diagnosis when that time could be spent on something important like the latest Duck Dynasty episode?

  • November 12, 2013 at 4:56 pm
    Baxtor says:
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    Boy if they partnered with Starbucks, the Kiosk would not only be a success, but no other competitor would have the same success. Yes, maybe at a few auto dealers, but Starbucks…it’s quiet, friendly, business feel but not to much, and relaxing… I don’t think a grocery store would work. Just speaking from my own preference, but when I go to the grocery store, it’s to get what I need and get out as fast as possible, not to stop and do an auto quote, then grab my milk. At least at Starbucks you can get a drink, relax, and browse! Wish I would have thought of it.

  • July 21, 2014 at 12:34 pm
    Sol says:
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    This is nothing new. This was attempted in 2002 using VCOM machines located at 7-11. It took “years” to duplicate what someone did in 2002?

  • September 8, 2015 at 4:06 pm
    ERAN ETGAR says:
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    Hello my name is Eran Etgar
    , i would like get a quote for RMU liability for one year We will sell skate board , helmets and protection kit.
    the mall require workman’s comp

    Regars Eran



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