A.M. BestTV: Filling Niches: Agents Explore New Areas for Growth

A.M. BestTV said its latest episode looks at how agents and agencies are moving beyond traditional borders to find new insureds by interest, industry or affinity.

One primary way that agencies are learning to grow business is by finding a niche and sticking with it.

"Focus on a specific niche, and become an expert. Focus on that and that and grow quickly," said John Tiene, CEO of Agents Network Exchange (ANE). Tiene spoke at an ANE event in New Jersey where network members came together to discuss ways to expand their book of business. ANE helps independent insurance agents gain scale and direct access to markets to compete with larger agencies, according to Tiene.

"We can't just pick up the phone and start dialing, we have to put that plan in place with a strategic process," said Nick Kormos, a senior sales management consultant at Ohio-based MarshBerry.

Recent episodes of A.M. BestTV include:

-U.S. Regulators Respond to National, Global Pressure: U.S. state regulators, attending the New York City Bar Association's annual regulatory conference, say the U.S. system of state-based regulation is imperiled by a growing emphasis on federal and international regulation: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=regulation414

-U.S. Independent Agents Outline National Priorities: Members of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America push for key legislative priorities in Washington, including terror cover, multistate licensing and tax changes: http://www.ambest.com/ v.asp?v=bigi414

-Insurers Respond to Prolonged Low Interest Rate Environment: Given the prolonged low interest rate environment, insurers are exploring alternative investments while also bracing for higher interest rates by shortening the duration of their investment portfolio: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=interest414

A.M. BestTV covers exclusive A.M. Best information and reports, targeted topics and key developments in the (re)insurance industry.

A.M. Best Company is an insurance rating and information source.

View the episode:

http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=niches414

More Information:

http://www.ambest.tv

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