The free online platform seeks to position itself as the “Yelp of Insurance”
Earlier this year, Agency Checklists reported on the launch of Agent Review, a new free platform aiming to be the “Yelp for Insurance.” This month, the free online platform made two new announcements boding well for the future of the site in 2016.
“This seed round was led by very experienced investors, offering further validation that Agent Review is a valuable tool for consumers to get objective information and be connected with verified local insurance professionals,” said Jonas Roeser, Co-Founder and CEO of Agent Review. “It’s a challenge for consumers to find reliable information and agents when it comes to insurance. There still are a large number of insurance products that a consumer feels more comfortable buying from an agent verses an online program. Agent Review is the first of its kind.”
Online platform begins Series A fundraising this month
On January 5th, Agent Review announced that it had closed its seed funding round. The online platform says that it will now begin its fundraising for Series A investments this month. The Angel investors leading this effort are two veteran insurance executives, Joe Pulitano and Doug May.
Mr. Pulitano, is President of Advanced Resources Marketing, a national distributor of long term care insurance based in Boston. Doug May is a senior executive with Willis Reinsurance. The two other initial investors are the international investment companies, Towpath and Anabranch.
“This seed round was led by very experienced investors, offering further validation that Agent Review is a valuable tool for consumers to get objective information and be connected with verified local insurance professionals,” said Jonas Roeser, Co-Founder and CEO of Agent Review. “It’s a challenge for consumers to find reliable information and agents when it comes to insurance. There still are a large number of insurance products that a consumer feels more comfortable buying from an agent verses an online program. Agent Review is the first of its kind.”
“Anyone who has shopped for insurance recently knows the process needs improvement. The market is ready to evolve and Jonas is the right entrepreneur for the job,” said venture investor Mike Hurst. “We are excited to support his efforts.”
The site claims to have over 200,000 members already
Agent Review originally launched in the Spring of 2015, re-launching again in July. Unlike Trusted Choice’s Online Consumer Portal or Google Compare, it does not provide on-line insurance quoting capabilities. Rather, the free online platform provides information to consumers who can then connect with local insurance professionals in their area by reviewing and selecting an agent using the site’s verified agent reviews. In explaining the site, during the company’s re-launching, Harle Gordon, Co-Founder and President, stated the company’s mission as:
“80 percent of consumers start their search for insurance online, but are bombarded by an array of web sites, sales pitches, and articles that lead them to believe insurance is simple. The fact is, there is no such thing as simple insurance,” explained Gordon. “Agent Review provides a trusted resource for consumers to fully understand the complexities of their needs, then find an agent to help address them.”
The site has been already been featured on Yahoo Finance, ABC, NPR, Reuters and USA Today and was voted as one of the “Six Most Innovative Products of 2015” by LifeHealthPro within the technology category. The company says that in the six months since its re-launch, it already has more than 200,000 members to date with plans for further expansion a rapid pace.
A screenshot of the front page of the site
Expansion includes new Agent Review App for insurance agents
As part of that rapid expansion, the site debuted a new app for insurance agents this week.
“Today’s digital world has made the insurance industry more competitive, more confusing, and more impersonal than ever. This presents a major opportunity for agents to build stronger relationships online – if armed with the right tools and platform to maximize exposure,” said Jonas Roeser, Co-Founder and CEO, Agent Review. “That’s where Agent Review and our new app come in, by providing marketing and sales tools right at the agent’s fingertips to empower even the most technologically challenged insurance agent.”
Available on both Apple and Android phones, the new Agent Review app provides a series of simple tools to help agents support their profile and grow their sales. These tools include obtain video and written testimonials, accessing sales tips and scripts and other marketing tools for agents to expand their credibility. The three key feature of the app, however, are the following according to the Agent Review announcement:
- Review & testimonial creation. Agents can use the app to collect ratings and reviews from their clients on the fly, including video testimonials that can be added to their profile on the Agent Review site. With more than half of consumers relying on online reviews to make their buying decisions according to a recent study by Mintel, this feature is a valuable opportunity for agents to leverage their current happy clients to find new ones.
- Marketing design tool. The Agent Review app features a simple template and editing tool for agents to create Agent Review branded banner and print ads, flyers, and postcards to promote their presence as a trusted Agent Review agent. Promotional materials can be instantly customized with name, phone, web site, and more.
- Sales tips. Within the app is a library of samples sales scripts, educational videos, and other tips to help agents stay ahead of the curve with the latest tools and techniques for maintaining stellar client relationships.
The new app also features a lead alert feature. It is a notification system that lets agents now about any inquiries coming through the Agent Review web site, allowing an agent to respond in a timely manner.
Available on both Apple and Android devices, the Agent Review app costs $3.99.
