August 2009 Transportation Times e-Newsletter

Technology and the Agency-Customer Relationship -Achieving Balanced Customer Service in the "Digital Revolution"

By Edward Arango AAI,

Ask anyone in the Trucking business today about the importance of fast and efficient Insurance Agency processing and you will learn that this is a vital necessity.  On the surface this is obvious;

  • trucking technologyDon't deliver a Certificate in a timely manner and you may lose the load
  • Fail to respond in a timely manner on coverage changes or contractual requirements and you may jeopardize existing customer relationships.
  • Create unnecessary delays in processing Drivers and/or Equipment and lose new opportunities

...the list goes on and on.

In today's market everyone is working hard to develop strategies which will enable them to compete more efficiently and insurance is a key cost component.  Your Insurance Agency must be able to provide fast, efficient and professional processing.  However, in many agencies, new technologies available to facilitate customer service have also created a "digital divide" between the customer and the service providers.  Thus, the personal attention which originally created the relationship is jeopardized.

While RSI remains a leader in agency automation, we hold firm in the belief that personal relationships are the most vital link to our customers.  We will never cease talking to our customers simply because an email is faster or a fax is more efficient.  Our word is still our bond and we remain committed to striking a balance between automated services and personal attention.  Accordingly, we strive not to contribute to the "digital divide" but, to bridge it by going the extra mile to ensure that delivery of products and services never comes at the expense of personal touch.  Agency automation must never de-sensitize the agency-customer relationship.

Yes, RSI can handle account service requests via email, direct fax and via the internet.  Yes, RSI customers can file and expedite claims processes via the internet.  In fact, RSI customers can even request access to our customer management system and issue their own certificates and view coverage information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  However, our most important resource is our people and our most valued asset is our customer.  Holding firm to these truths will ensure that RSI will always be there to provide honest, professional, efficient customer service and bridge the "digital divide".

We encourage you to contact your agency representatives regularly with any questions, comments or concerns.  We are a solutions driven agency and we are always interested in hearing about ways in which we can improve our delivery of products and services to our valued customers.