The Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association (TAIPA) reported its new Web-based feature allowing agents to use the Internet for submitting auto insurance applications is up and running. During the month of November 2003, nearly 30 percent of the TAIPA assignments were submitted through the new feature.
“The TAIPA Plan of Operation states that insurers will provide insureds assigned under TAIPA with the same level of service provided customers in the voluntary market,” according to Jon Smanz, chairman of the Governing Committee.
TAIPA introduced the Electronic Application Submission interface (EASi) procedure on Oct. 1, 2003. The EASi procedure allows agents to log on to a Web site maintained by an approved vendor for TAIPA.
When the application is completed the agent submits it and is then able to print the completed application for his or her signature as well as that of the customer. The procedure also prints an authorized binder which the agent can give to the applicant.
“Between November 1, 2003 and November 30, 2003, 27.9 percent of TAIPA assignments were through the new EASi process and 419 agents used EASi as an effective way to submit applications,” Smanz said.
EASi is being used by TAIPA in conjunction with Electronic Submission Procedure (ESP) established in 1995 permitting an agent to provide certain basic information by telephone and authorizing the agent to use an approved binder, he said.
“In 86 percent of the cases the TAIPA applicant walks out of the agent’s office with a binder in hand,” Smanz added.
“We are quite encouraged by such a positive response from agents to the EASi system and believe that the number of agents who choose to use the new system will increase dramatically.”
TAIPA (www.taipa.org) was created by statute to make automobile bodily injury and property damage liability insurance required by the Texas Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act available to eligible applicants, subject to the rules of the Association.
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