NORTHBROOK, Ill., Oct. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort
to help small business owners with one of the more complex aspects
of owning a business – buying commercial insurance – Allstate
Insurance Company has launched a new functionality that enables
business owners to quickly and conveniently quote and purchase a
businessowner's policy (BOP) in about five minutes, by going
directly through Allstate.com or the Small Business Connection.
The Allstate commercial insurance pages
(http://www.allstate.com/business) have been re-designed to launch
the quoting platform and make it easier for small business owners
to get the information they need to make an informed purchasing
decision. The website design clearly defines the types of
businesses Allstate insures, the coverages offered and tools and
resources to help a small business owner, including special offers
from partners such as SurePayroll and InfoMart. "By placing tools
and resources conveniently in one place, we've created a one-stop
shopping experience for buyers," said Michael Barton, president, Allstate Business
Insurance.
Online Quoting for Busy Small Business Owners
The new quoting functionality integrates advanced data and
analytics, along with third-party data to pre-fill data elements,
which reduces the keystrokes needed for the quoting process. Small
business owners can simply enter their information with minimal
fields, and Allstate will deliver a quote for a tailored
businessowners policy. Allstate's customizable BOP product,
Business Shield®, provides bespoke coverages and pricing
designed to help protect against specific risks. After reviewing
the quote, consumers will have the option to purchase the policy or
talk to an Allstate insurance agency owner who can answer any
additional questions. As small business owners themselves, agency
owners understand the importance of making the right decisions for
a business and can provide expertise.
With technology quickly evolving and buying trends becoming more
digital, Allstate is committed to providing innovative small
business solutions to consumers in a way that is fast,
straightforward and allows them to purchase at their convenience.
"Buyer preferences are changing. They want the ability to
do-it-yourself," said Barton. "This innovative ability to quote and
bind an online BOP in about five minutes showcases the big strides
Allstate is making to help small business owners."
What Keeps Small Business Owners Up at Night?
In its commitment to help small business owners beyond the
insurance transaction, Allstate has conducted several surveys in
the past few years to discover what business issues are most
worrisome or confusing to owners. The research and recent
Allstate/USA TODAY Small Business Barometer survey results show
that small business owners face the same critical business issues
as Fortune 1,000 companies, yet they do not have the same resources
to tackle them.
Helping Small Businesses Every Step of the Way
Allstate decided to take action on the findings and partnered
with major corporations in the banking, legal, office supply, web
marketing and technology sectors to launch the Small Business
Connection; a free online resource hub built to help empower small
business owners to find knowledge, insight, ideas and guidance to
help solve those critical business issues. As the founding partners
– some of America's most iconic brands – continue to invest in the
future of small business owners, they have included the
businessowner's policy quoting functionality on the Small Business
Connection website and re-launched the website with a visually
appealing design that is organized by different stages of business:
start, grow, manage and retire. The website also hired Steve Strauss, USA Today's senior small business columnist,
to be the editor-in-chief of the Small Business Connection. Strauss
is considered one of the world's top resources for small
businesses, entrepreneurs and the self-employed. "Small business
owners have to be their own HR, IT, marketing and finance
departments, and having resources from giants in the industry is
extremely beneficial and can help them navigate unfamiliar
territory," said Strauss.
As small business owners' needs and preferences change, Allstate
continues to be innovative and a friend to small business owners,
bringing new ways to help them run their businesses so they can
focus on what matters most – their customers.
About Allstate Business Insurance
As a provider for
more than 250,000 small-business policyholders distributed through
10,000 small-business insurance agency owners, Allstate Business
Insurance provides insurance solutions and shares resources to help
American small businesses prosper. Products and coverages include
Business Shield (Business Owners Policy), Commercial Auto, Inland
Marine, Umbrella and Cyber Security. For more information on
Allstate Business Insurance, visit: www.allstate.com/business.
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest
publicly held personal lines insurer, protecting approximately 16
million households from life's uncertainties through auto, home,
life and other insurance offered through its Allstate, Esurance,
Encompass and Answer Financial brand names. Now celebrating its
85th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is widely known through
the slogan "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®."
Allstate agencies are in virtually every local community in
America. In 2015, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate, its employees
and agency owners gave $36 million to
support local communities.
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SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company