NetQuote and EZLynx Link Up To Create A Partnership For Success

Texas–based Webcetera, founded in 2003, is a relative newcomer to the world of the independent agent. The company's entry into that world occurred in 2004 when EZLynx, the program they developed which helps independent agents accurately quote multiple carriers they represent in real time, gained its first subscribers.

EZLynx was initially developed for agents in Arizona who identified a problem faced by many independents–being able to accurately quote the multiple carriers they represent in a timely manner. While comparative rating tools had been available to agents for years, the on–set of credit–score–based pricing models by carriers made traditional comparative quoting systems inaccurate. Therefore, agents were forced to log into each of their carrier's web portals to quote the risk. The process was time–consuming, requiring an average of 15 minutes or more to quote the risk per carrier.

EZLynx streamlines the process and provides the independent agent real–time comparative quoting. An agent inputs the risk particulars to the EZLynx screens and selects the carriers he or she would like to quote. It then simultaneously logs into each of the selected carrier's web rating systems, passes the risk information to each, and the carrier's themselves quote the risk, returning each of their premiums to the EZLynx screen. Additionally, each carrier stores the quote that they have just completed on their individual portals. The agent chooses the carrier through which she wants to bind, clicks from EZLynx to the selected carrier, recalls the just–completed quote on the carrier's portal and proceeds with that carrier's binding process. This allows an agent to accurately quote four to five carriers in 10–12 minutes.

From its initial introduction in Arizona, EZLynx is now available in 35 states. It supports both auto and home quoting (with the notable exception of Florida, where auto–only is available). Furthermore, over 80 carriers are supported on the platform with new carriers being added regularly. Pricing is nominal, based on the number of carrier/lines–of–business to which the agent desires access.

What gives EZLynx the competitive advantage in the industry is not only its reliability, but also the fact that it is the only purely real–time comparative quoting tool on the market. Additionally, it brings an unequalled level of carrier availability to its subscribers.

One of the philosophies of Webcetera is maintenance of open architecture with 3rd party entities that deliver value to customers. According to Kate Wood, a spokesperson for Webcetera, the company began hearing glowing testimonials early on from its users testifying to the quality of leads provided by NetQuote. Thus the seed was planted to integrate with NetQuote.

"Allowing our users to seamlessly upload NetQuote–captured risk info saves an agent perhaps six to eight minutes of typing per risk – a very measurable time savings," Kate said.

Generally, EZLynx is most useful for an independent agent that represents three or more carriers–a fact that makes it perfect for the majority of NetQuote subscribers. For NetQuotes agents that utilize EZLynx, the speed with which they can turn around multiple quotes to the prospect can drive home the value that they offer. How it works is that upon notification of a lead, the NetQuote agent clicks the hot link embedded in NetQuote's e–mail, which causes all prospect–input risk information to flood the agent's EZLynx screen. The agent modifies the risk information to match the agent's professional recommendations and then submits the risk to as many carriers as he or she desires for their quotes. Turn around can be as fast as 10 minutes with NetQuote having pre–filled virtually all of the risk information in EZLynx. EZLynx flags the risk as a NetQuote lead, allowing the agent to easily track effectiveness.

One NetQuote agent who has found great success with EZLynx is Dennis Klemmer, President of DK Agency–Insurance & Financial Services. Dennis began his partnership with NetQuote in the summer of 2003, when he opened the doors to his Allstate agency. By the end of 2005, Dennis' agency was in the top 2% of Allstate agencies, under 36 months, nationwide. Quite an accomplishment for having opened only two years prior. Dennis attributed his rapid growth and success to his association with NetQuote.

In April 2007, Dennis sold his Allstate agency and became an independent agent. He continued working with NetQuote and became an EZLynx customer at that time. With this new partnership, he was able to expand his agency to four states and his premium earnings totaled over $700,000 in the first year.

According to Dennis, his competitive advantage is due to his partnership with NetQuote and EZLynx. His agency processes 300 – 400 quotes per month and EZLynx eliminates manual re–keying, allowing his agents to focus on what they do best – selling insurance.