National Apr 25, 2016

PIA calls on agents to participate in longest-running Company Performance Surveys

Anonymous survey gives voice to agents who rate their companies on performance items

GLENMONT, N.Y.—The Professional Insurance Agents of Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York State launched their Company Performance Surveys today. Each survey, available through June 24, 2016, gauges insurance producers’ views of the companies they represent in their respective states. Independent agents can rate the companies with which they do business on 20 performance items, including: claims handling, products and pricing, underwriting, technology and marketing support to gauge their relationship with the carriers. The surveys also ask several questions on how each carrier fits into the agency’s operations. The survey, which has been conducted for more than a decade in each of the states, is a popular tool for both companies and agents to gauge their relationship and the companies’ performance.

"The survey will be available online until Friday, June 24, 2016," said Gene Sandy, CIC, president of PIANY. "We encourage all agents to let their voices be heard and don’t forget to comment on companies’ strengths and areas for improvement."

"The focal point of the Company Performance Survey continues to be to foster relationships between professional, independent insurance agents and their companies," said Charles J. Caruso, CIC, CPIA, president of PIANJ. "It stands to reason, when the relationships between agents and their companies are strong, everyone benefits; most importantly, our mutual clients."

"We urge all professional, independent insurance agents to take part in the survey, it’s not just open to PIA members," said Loretta Lesko, CIC, president of PIACT. "Companies have told us they incorporate the data from this survey into their business plans, so we encourage you to be candid with your responses in this anonymous survey."

Launched in 2002 by PIACT, the biennial Company Performance Surveys have built on years of historical data collected by each respective association. PIA members can view this data on the PIA website at pia.org/GIA/cps/cpsjump.php.

"This is the most comprehensive agent-company relations survey available in the four states," said John Obrey, president of PIANH. "PIA has compiled data from the Company Performance Survey since it began collecting it."

Upon request, PIA-member companies may receive information comparing their results to survey averages as well as including specific, anonymous comments from agents on their services, among other information. Also upon request, agents will be given reports about their companies.

To access each state association’s Company Performance Survey log on to: www.pia.org/CT for Connecticut; www.pia.org/NH for New Hampshire; www.pia.org/NJ for New Jersey; and www.pia.org/NY for New York state and click "Take the Company Performance Survey here" under "Read this NOW."

PIACT, PIANH, PIANJ and PIANY are trade associations representing professional, independent insurance agencies, brokerages and their employees throughout their respective states.

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