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FeedAllstate to open agency offices in auto dealerships
Feb. 8, 2012—Allstate Insurance Co. recently announced plans to open full-service Allstate agencies inside auto dealerships nationwide.
Allstate said it will place agency offices on the showroom floor inside auto dealerships, which will operate during regular business hours of the dealership. Licensed insurance professionals and a team of support staff will work onsite to help customers assess their insurance portfolio.
The goal of Allstate's dealer program is to integrate the purchase and service of a vehicle with opportunities for consumers to price auto insurance with Allstate and work with a licensed insurance professional on their coverage needs, said Mark LaNeve, senior executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Allstate.
"Our agency owners are at the heart of Allstate's business and this program allows us to attract new customers at a time and location that's convenient for the customer,” LaNeve said.
Allstate said it tested the program for two years in 11 auto dealerships nationwide. The pilot test revealed that the dealer program offers the convenience and face-to-face interaction that customers want, according to the company.
"We have been extremely impressed with the Allstate program," said Randall Reed, president and CEO of World Class Automotive Group based in Houston. "The relationship allows us to leverage our product offerings with the strong suite of F&I products and repair network of Allstate, which has helped us to increase profitability. The expansion of our relationship with Allstate to include an onsite, full service Allstate insurance agency differentiates us from our competition. And our customers love it."
For more information, visit allstate.com.
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Reader Comments:
To NOT believe that this is a way for Allstate to get around steering restrictions is foolishness. I would bet that every dealership will be a 'Pro Repair Partner' and the 'convenience' will result in fewer Allstate repairs being done outside of the network, lower costs for the insurer, and less chice for the consumer. Prepare for the denials that this is not the case and was never even part of the equation.
Can anyone say conflict of interest?? I dont know how this is legal. Allstate already OWNS their own body shop franchise (sterling auto body) which SHOULD be ILLEGAL, theyre practically paying themselves. This is one more nail in the coffin for our industry.
Non standard Insurance companies have been doing this for years, It's only my opinion but people should have their insurance coverage handled before they go shopping for cars.
This is yet another way for Insurance companies to write new policies by cornering someone in a pinch dying to have that new car.
F.Y.I.
I have found that when i charge an allstate customer for any discounts and labor rate differances, that allstate pays the customer back the differance. Several customers have told me that allstate refunded to them the differance they would'nt pay to the shop. I find this to be another sneaky practice by allstate.
P.S.
Also, when the customer finds out about allstates sneaky practices they start looking for other insurance.
The public needs to know about allstate and we need to make them aware of this practices.
Oh. My. Goodness. You mean to tell me that a gas station can sell pop and candy bars too? This will be the end of vending machines as we know them...
Come on people. I'm not an Allstate agent, but it's a great idea. If Allstate is so awful, then it's only a matter of time before they seal their own fate and customers end up back in your office. If it turns out they're not so awful, then you may be forced to actually go out and sell to compete...
It's a smart marketing move by Allstate and if you have not noticed the giant companies, Allstate, Progressive, Farmers, etc are superior marketing machines- maybe that is why they are giants! However, you can't doubt that they will be partnered with the dealer conglomerates for their collision repairs- the traditional PRO shop is already heading in that direction in case you have not noticed and this spells real trouble for the independents.