IIAT Expands MarketsCentral Online Market Search Tool

To help its members search for markets in the state, the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas has expanded and updated its online market search tool, MarketsCentral.

In its MarketsCentral announcement, the IIAT noted that the insurance marketplace in Texas is becoming competitive and that means greater coverage flexibility among admitted carriers and increased interest in packages and surplus lines from agencies.

“We now offer IIAT members three outstanding search tools in a single location on our Web site for finding markets. And in addition we provide links to 11 other Web sites that offer more help in finding markets,” Jim Berger, IIAT president, said. “We think it’s the best search tool of its kind for Texas agents.”

The Surplus Lines Agencies Market Search is compiled from information provided by the Surplus Lines Stamping Office of Texas. It features 131 risk categories and nearly 100 underwriting entities.

The second search tool, the Personal Lines Market Search is based on IIAT surveys of Texas wholesalers offering personal lines products through both admitted and non-admitted markets.

The third and newest search tool, the Internet Resources Market Search, contains information about Internet aggregators and specific companies and agencies offering programs online. Information is compiled from advertisements in trade publications and from Internet searches by IIAT.

The surplus lines and personal lines search tools offer the capability for users to e-mail one or several wholesalers, visit their Web sites, print the listing, or contact a specific person by phone or fax. E-mails can be sent to multiple markets at once to request information, with none of the recipients aware of mail sent to the others. Users can search by type of risk, type of coverage or by agency. The Internet Resources search tool is organized by line of business and provides a Web site address. Information is updated as it becomes available.