At Applied Net 2020, Indio Technologies' Michael Furlong held the user session, "Indio: Introduction and Overview". Designed for those not currently using Indio, the session went over the benefits of digitizing your application and renewal process and walked through Indio’s features, explaining how the software simplifies the insurance application process. What follows are key questions raised by attendees and answered by Furlong after the session wrapped.
Q: Can Indio be used for new business, or is it mostly used for renewals?
A: Many agencies and brokerages use Indio for new business. One of many examples of using Indio for new business is having new business questionnaires digitized within Indio for specific lines of business. These can then be distributed digitally to prospects to streamline the data capture process, and to ensure all data lives with Indio and integrates back into Applied Epic. Once data is collected for a prospect of new business, it lives within Indio so that it can "smart map" to all other forms that you add to a submission in the future, alleviating the need to collect information over and over again from the same customer.
Q: If you have an application in Applied Epic — that has been updated throughout the year — can you transfer the most recent information from Epic into Indio, then from Indio to the carrier with IVANS?
A: That is correct. Once Indio and Epic's bi-directional integration goes live (before the end of 2020), you will be able to push and pull account data, ACORD data, schedule and exposure data, and policy headers between the two systems. Once Indio's digital submissions via IVANS Submissions goes live, you will then be able to complete the full-cycle process by pushing that data to your underwriter from within Indio.
Q: Are the custom forms unique to each carrier? Who is responsible for building/maintaining/paying for the custom forms?
A: Indio's form library, which comes with your Indio subscription, has 14,000 forms, including Carrier forms, Supplemental forms, ACORD forms, and your agency or brokerage's proprietary forms, which Indio digitizes for you and are only available to your agency/brokerage. If you need a form that is not currently available within Indio, your dedicated Customer Success Manager will be able to assist you in getting it digitized.
Q: Do you find this to be a helpful tool for more niche markets, or is it more geared toward generic P&C agencies/brokerages? (For example, our markets don't always require applications — ACORD, etc. — so I'm wondering how helpful this will be for a very specific industry, such as aviation?)
A: There are many agencies and brokerages using Indio for very specific, niche lines of business, for example, agriculture. I encourage you to reach out your Applied sales rep to discuss your specific line of business and they will be able to assist you with understanding how Indio can help streamline your operation and improve your customer experience.
Q: Can you talk about the client login process? If I remember, we just enter the client's cell phone and then a password is not required. Is that correct?
A: That is correct. Indio does not require the client/insured to use a password. Indio uses a 2-step Verification system, which is done via email and/or text message.
Q: Do you know if, in the past, Real Time's main issue was the supplemental forms; WebEdits that the carrier had to create were the only way for it to work. Is your "mapping" handling that so it gets to the carrier with all the fields they need included?
A: When an agent or broker collects data from an insured using Indio's digitized forms, that data not only "smart-maps" to other Indio forms, but it automatically maps back to the original PDF provided by the carrier. All the fields in your carrier's PDF form will be filled out accurately, along with the e-signature attached in the proper fields. You then have the ability to download this PDF and send it to your underwriter, ensuring that all the information is available. Indio has cut down many agencies's and brokerage's time to market by up to 50% as a result of collecting information from insureds faster, having forms come back more complete from insureds quicker, and being able to deliver the submission to their underwriter in a shorter period of time. When Indio's digital submissions integration powered by IVANS goes live, you will be able to push all the insured data collected within Indio directly to your carrier from within the Indio platform, using a couple clicks of a button.
Q: How do you protect any proprietary documents specific to an agency or brokerage?
A: Indio uses bank-grade encrypted technology so your information and data is secure and isolated to your agency/brokerage.
Q: Does Indio work with Applied TAM?
A: Many agencies and brokerages who are on TAM are also users of Indio; however, there is not currently an integration between TAM and Indio.
Q: It looks like Indio is best for Excess & Surplus lines. Am I right, or are there other ways it can be used?
A: Many agencies and brokerages find the most value in Indio for excess and surplus lines and commercial lines in general, however, there are agencies and brokerages that use Indio for personal lines as well.
Q: Does the e-signature have a certificate that will hold up in court to authenticate the client's signature?
A: Yes, and carriers accept Indio as an official e-signature provider.
Looking for more education on Applied Systems? Check out Applied Client Network's webinars and webinar replays, and don't forget to watch for registration to Applied Net 2021!