Summer Cross–Selling Opportunities—Get Recreational Vehicles Insured

Ah, Spring! The days are getting warmer and longer, the trees and flowers are blooming, shorts and sandals are starting to appear–which means Summer is just around the corner. And with Summer approaching, all the Summer toys–motorcycles, boats and jet skis–are starting to come back out. It's a perfect time to cross–sell motorcycle and boat insurance when following up on auto insurance leads.

So why take the opportunity to cross–sell motorcycle, scooter, boat or watercraft insurance when pursing an auto insurance lead from NetQuote? Well, for starters, it's very likely that the person who owns a car may also need insurance for their recreational vehicles.

According to data from the Insurance Information Institute, 2005 sales of all types of two–wheeled motorbikes reached more than 1.1 million, a high–water mark not seen since the 1970s. Rising fuel prices are a primary reason millions more Americans have purchased a bike–or are seriously considering one–with many motorcycles capable of 50 to 70 miles per gallon and most scooters getting 60 to 80 mpg.

The number of boat and jet-ski owners is even higher. According to a recent survey conducted by InsightExpress, one in five Americans owns a boat (21%). Furthermore, those living in the South are more likely to own a boat (24%) compared to residents of the East, where 16% own a boat.

As for ownership of Personal Watercraft (PWC)–or jet skis–the most recent survey conducted by the National Marine Manufacturers Association in 2004 shows that approximately 1.48 million people own a PWC.

Based on the statistics, it's a safe bet that someone who owns a car may also own one or more of the popular "Summer Toys". So over the next few months, when pursuing an auto insurance lead, take the opportunity to ask if they have other motor vehicles, such as motorcycles, boats or jet skis. That single auto lead could end up leading to even greater sales.