What Is Homeowners Insurance?

William Taylor

Senior Career Advisor, VelvetJobs

Insurance is oftentimes intimidating by design, and insurance companies serve a unique role in bridging the gap between their product and consumers. What can we learn from insurance companies’ marketing strategies?

I have observed that most of these insurance companies are now leveraging the power of social media to reach their customers. They are adopting a voice that is less intimidating and sharing content that is engaging and interactive. These companies are coming up with out of the box ideas to break the stigma that insurance is boring.

Many consumers resist change from what’s familiar, even if it’s to the detriment of their finances or overall wellbeing. What kinds of techniques do insurance providers use to overcome this hesitation and entice consumers to switch over?

Some of my clients from the healthcare insurance industry are organizing educational webinars as part of their marketing strategies. These webinars give them the chance to break down the complexities of health insurance quotes for prospective clients.

To entice customers, many insurance companies are adopting a more friendly approach. They are providing valuable knowledge for free on their online platforms and going above and beyond to personalize their services for every client. The insurance agents today are more empathetic and try to win the trust of the customers.

Bottom Line: Insurance companies are now leveraging the power of social media

Willie Greer

Founder, The Product Analyst

Many consumers resist change from what’s familiar, even if it’s to the detriment of their finances or overall well-being. What kinds of techniques do insurance providers use to overcome this hesitation and entice consumers to switch over? 

There are three main methods of insurance marketing: extensive, exclusive, and selective. The extensive method is using services of any go-between company, capable to conclude one or more insurance contracts.

Moreover, the exclusive method is used when the insurance company counteracts with only one general insurance agent, which has an exclusive right to conclude an insurance contract in a given region. This contract should be concluded in favor of the above-mentioned insurance company. In addition, a selective method is used, when the insurance company counteracts with two or more general agents in a given region.

The essence of insurance is to protect any asset from all kinds of threats and losses. That way, it can be assured that the value of an asset can be preserved.

What advice would you offer consumers on how to keep advertising in perspective when shopping for an insurance carrier?

Consumers must keep in mind that not because it was advertised well means it is the best in the market. It may be a factor to consider but always remember what your priority is before heading to buy insurance. Weigh your options and know when to fancy an advertisement and when to flop it. Through this, you will be able to get what you really paid for.

Joy Gendusa

Founder & CEO, PostcardMania

How do insurance companies differentiate themselves from their competitors in their marketing? 

One very successful way I’ve seen insurance competitors differentiate themselves from the competition is with targeted mail pieces that feature a highly personalized technology called variable data. Variable data inserts each individual’s information into the design of your mail piece so that each piece looks like it was designed specifically for that recipient. And you can customize almost any type of data to be variable, from the first name to the type of policy to even the photo on your mailer. THE biggest and best variable data differentiator an insurance company can include is the expiration date of the recipient’s policy. That way, agents know WHEN to hit homes with their mailers and people know by when they need to call for a quote. Calling someone out by name with something personal is a time-tested way to grab attention.

Many consumers resist change from what’s familiar, even if it’s to the detriment of their finances or overall well-being. What kinds of techniques do insurance providers use to overcome this hesitation and entice consumers to switch over?

By focusing on a non-invasive marketing platform like direct mail, insurance agents and brokers are able to catch people at a good time, when they’re at peace with receiving advertisements — and that’s when they’re checking their mail. People hate to feel like advertising is stealing their free time. That’s why things like commercials and pop-up ads are so despised — they haven’t been granted permission. But when we’re sorting our mail, we’re open to commercial communications and oftentimes we’ll put something aside if it’s the right message at the right time. That’s how you can start to build the trust that’s needed to help people get over the discomfort of shopping around for insurance. Let them pick the time and the place for it.

Chuck Kim

COO & Co-Founder, Executive Digital

Many consumers resist change from what’s familiar, even if it’s to the detriment of their finances or overall well-being. What kinds of techniques do insurance providers use to overcome this hesitation and entice consumers to switch over?

The trust between the consumer and agent and/or price is the key selling point. When consumers hear “you’ll save X%”, that’s the sales trigger. What many forget is that selling at a price point works for a small percentage of consumers. Education, white papers and, most importantly, digital omnipresence should be the key for all insurance companies.

What advice would you offer consumers on how to keep advertising in perspective when shopping for an insurance carrier?

Do research on the insurance agent online and interview the agent to make sure you can trust them. The agent will be the one who creates the right policy to protect you. The company itself should be researched, because, at the end of the day, in a bad situation, the relationship between the Agent and Agency will be of utmost importance, so spend time researching!

Ty Stewart

CEO & Founder of Simple Life Insure

Insurance is oftentimes intimidating by design, and insurance companies serve a unique role in bridging the gap between their product and consumers. What can we learn from Insurance companies’ marketing strategies?  

Insurance has to pay special attention to humanizing its products and services and has done so through a robust, humanizing ecosystem of content marketing. Insurance coverage can be jargon-filled and technical, with tons of contract clauses and liability statements. It’s frankly overwhelming, so the insurance industry as a whole has really stepped up to the plate with diverse, humanizing and educational digital content.

In particular, we see this in really approachable e-newsletters, videos and vlogs, mobile touchpoints, and a ton of user-friendly, value-rich industry blogs delivering content that empowers folks, instead of scaring them.  

How do insurance companies differentiate themselves from their competitors in their marketing?

The most successful insurance marketing connects with its audience on a human level, not by selling products or commodities.

These brands differentiate themselves in their language and touchpoints. They don’t use industry jargon. They’re easy to get in touch with. You speak with a real person as soon as possible if you want, but can overwhelmingly service your own needs on a digital-first basis rather than a loop of automated phone calls or in-person appointments. Companies that adapt best to humanizing interactions and approachable digital service offerings are the ones who stand out from the crowd these days. 

What advice would you offer consumers on how to keep advertising in perspective when shopping for an insurance carrier?  

It’s essential to understand that your insurance and finance needs evolve in life. What you paid for in your twenties and early thirties will not suffice in your 40s, which itself won’t work when you’re retired. 

Understand that your insurance reps or financial advisors aren’t continually trying to upsell you new products just because. Most are sincerely looking out for your evolving interests. Know what your own interests are and how they’re likely to change over the years, and you’ll feel better serviced, not continually sold to.

Ethan Taub

CEO of Loanry

How do insurance companies differentiate themselves from their competitors in their marketing?

Insurance is a very mature market, there are likely thousands of insurance companies in the US alone and it is difficult for anyone to stand out. Competitive advantages in insurance are difficult to establish, the durability of such competitive advantage is often determined through creating barriers to imitation. The longer it takes a competitor to imitate your distinctive competencies the greater the opportunity you have to build a strong market position.

How did you personally choose your current home or car insurance carrier, and what role, if any, did that carrier’s advertising techniques play in your decision? 

I have to admit, I took the easy road and used a comparison website. Advertising was not a consideration for me beyond certain brands I was familiar with and unfamiliar with. I made my decision based on the price and the coverage of the plan.

Adam Jackson

Digital Marketing Manager, Big Leap

Insurance is oftentimes intimidating by design, and insurance companies serve a unique role in bridging the gap between their product and consumers. What can we learn from Insurance companies’ marketing strategies? 

I think great insurance companies embody trust and dependability in their marketing efforts. They want you to know that you won’t get taken to the cleaners or left out in the rain by them. That principle is applicable to just about every marketing strategy if people truly believe you have their best interest at heart they are more likely to work with you. 

What advice would you offer consumers on how to keep advertising in perspective when shopping for an insurance carrier?  

I give the same advice for most advertisements to my friends and family. Marketing is usually based on highlighting and accentuating the “good” and downplaying the “bad.” So when you see an advertisement, you can take the good things they say and use them as the basis for your research, but whatever they say is so great about them usually has a “price” to be paid and you need to identify those “costs” before you make a decision

Laura Packard

Vice President of Marketing & Client Relations, Aartrijk

Many consumers resist change from what’s familiar, even if it’s to the detriment of their finances or overall well-being. What kinds of techniques do insurance providers use to overcome this hesitation and entice consumers to switch over?

This scenario is where independent agents are most effective. Purchasing the right type and coverage amount of insurance are decisions that should be made with the assistance of someone who can help educate and make informed suggestions. That’s what independent agents do best. They have a variety of carriers at their fingertips and can spend enough time with their clients to best determine their coverage needs. There’s no extra cost to use an independent agent, and it’s an effective way to ensure consumers are really covering their bases and protecting themselves adequately and thoroughly. 

What advice would you offer consumers on how to keep advertising in perspective when shopping for an insurance carrier? 

Keep in mind that you shouldn’t automatically go with a company whose commercials make you giggle. There’s a lot more to the insurance buying process than humor or price. You are best positioned by not shopping for a carrier, who will likely only have one option for you. By finding an independent agent, you will unlock access to numerous carriers as well as have a professional who will be able to guide you through the process as your advocate. These independent agents might not have snazzy commercials on TV or radio, but they are the ones sponsoring your town’s little league teams, buying ads in high school yearbooks or active in your local Chamber of Commerce. Don’t dismiss working with an agent just because he doesn’t have a multi-million dollar advertising budget like direct carriers do.