by Brian Major
Last updated: 12:35 AM ET, Wed January 25, 2017
Time-pressed travel agency professionals now have an even better online platform with which to provide travel insurance options for their clients.
Travel insurance provider Allianz Global Assistance recently launched an enhanced version of AgentMax Online, a platform designed to speed customer transactions, provide faster quotes on insurance products, create customized analysis reports and offer product recommendations based on real-time trip information.
Following a testing period during which travel agents provided feedback on the system, AgentMax Online has been optimized for mobile devices and adaptable to multiple formats, including desk computers and tablets.
We spoke recently with Daniel Durazo, Allianz' director of communications, about AgentMax Online's practical benefits for agent users.
TP: What in your opinion is the most significant benefit for travel agents using AgentMax?
DD: The most significant benefit is how easy we have made it for the agent to, within a few clicks, get product and price information for travel insurance and complete a booking for their customer on any device-anytime, anywhere. We've made booking travel insurance faster and easier so travel agents can focus on doing what they do best.
TP: Why the move to take the system online as opposed to the previous software-based platform?
DD: An online system provides a greater level of flexibility and removes any limitations created by any particular operating system or device type. Whether the agent wants to use an iPad, Windows laptop, Android phone or any other connected device, AgentMaxOnline is available. Agents also no longer need to worry about software updates since we handle all updates to the website.
TP: What did travel agents most often say they liked about the system during the testing phase?
DD: The comment we heard most frequently was that the online version is very easy to use. Using travel agents as a sounding board, we took great care to focus on the user experience and ensure that the tool was as efficient as possible.
TP: What was their biggest concern during the testing phase?
DD: Speed and efficiency of the tool were our biggest concern during testing of AgentMax Online. The software version is very popular because of how fast it responds to the agent's commands. That is an intrinsic benefit of software since the program is hosted on the user's machine and everything responds very quickly. Knowing this, we implemented several measures, like using single page architecture, and focused on simplifying the core functions to ensure the online version was just as efficient.
TP: Was the system created with specific travel agent concerns regarding travel insurance sales and tracking in mind? If so what were they?
DD: Yes, specific concerns included the ease and speed with which an agent could get an insurance quote for all the products in their portfolio and then complete the sale. Another concern was ensuring AgentMaxOnline has a single point of entry that provides a robust set of easy-to-use tools, with a suite of reporting. So, whether or not the agent is booking directly, leveraging the automated second-chance selling offers or implementing the QuoteMax widget on their site, this is all maintained from the same place, with reporting that shows all sales activity available with just a few clicks.
TP: Have there been any recent updates to the system?
DD: We launched several upgrades in November 2016 that include 'look and feel' updates for an even better user experience. We also introduced a product recommendation engine which suggests product offers dynamically based on information about the travelers and their trip. Finally, we launched a QuoteMax widget. An agent can put the quote widget on their site so customers can purchase insurance directly from us while providing the agent with full credit for the sale.
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