News
Introducing Online Payments
Newsletter – Monday, June 1, 2009
If at first you don’t succeed… live to win another day. I know that is not how the saying really goes, but nothing could be more appropriate for the Pittsburgh Penguins and their second consecutive appearance against the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup finals. I know that by the time you get this letter, the first two games in hockey’s championship series will be over. While my mother tried to teach me not to brag, it’s tough when you have such great teams to root for.
Pittsburgh is one of the smallest markets in the country, but still attracts and maintains great players and great teams. Personally, I believe this has a lot to do with the ownership of the teams. The Steelers owner, Dan Rooney and Penguins owner, Mario Lemieux are held in high esteem by both the players they lead and the fans that support the teams. I believe that respect stems from their leadership style to put the needs of the organization first. As a result, it is reflected in the play of the team and the attitude on the field or ice.
Take for example the Penguin’s last game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Sidney Crosby, the 21 year-old captain of the team, took the puck down the ice at the end of the 3rd period. Instead of taking the shot at the empty net, he passed it to Craig Adams to make the goal. I guess what I am trying to say is this – it is a great feeling to work with people who are just as content to assist as to score. I think the Tuscano Agency is that kind of team.
Earlier this month I was at the AAMGA annual convention. This is a great time for me to catch up with peers and carriers and get a sense of what is happening in the marketplace. If I had to use one word to describe the mood, it would be neutral. I was not hearing the complaints about how crappy the market is, but maybe that’s because we have gotten used to the crap. Our business is built on relationship, service, and price and we understand the need to support all three. What I want you to hear is when you need us to go back to the carrier and sharpen our pencil, we can do that for you. Tell us what you need to write the risk because I don’t believe you should have to sacrifice service and relationship just to retain an account.
On the service side of the business, we have just released another great new feature that will make writing business with the Tuscano Agency even easier! You now have the ability to make online payments through our website. This new website feature comes with loads of options that will be extremely helpful - especially when you (or an insured) are facing an imminent payment due date. You can pay your statement balance, pay a single invoice, or any other amount, as long as you tell us where to apply it. You can use this tool to schedule your payment for your statement much like you do with your credit card payments. It will also be very helpful when you need to make a payment to get an account bound or when it has special payment terms. If you have any questions about how to use this tool, give any one of the wonderful people on our Accounting Team a call. They would be happy to walk you through it your first time. There is one important item to note and that is you can only make online payments from your own bank account. You cannot do it from an insured’s account.
Go Pens!
Pittsburgh is one of the smallest markets in the country, but still attracts and maintains great players and great teams. Personally, I believe this has a lot to do with the ownership of the teams. The Steelers owner, Dan Rooney and Penguins owner, Mario Lemieux are held in high esteem by both the players they lead and the fans that support the teams. I believe that respect stems from their leadership style to put the needs of the organization first. As a result, it is reflected in the play of the team and the attitude on the field or ice.
Take for example the Penguin’s last game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Sidney Crosby, the 21 year-old captain of the team, took the puck down the ice at the end of the 3rd period. Instead of taking the shot at the empty net, he passed it to Craig Adams to make the goal. I guess what I am trying to say is this – it is a great feeling to work with people who are just as content to assist as to score. I think the Tuscano Agency is that kind of team.
Earlier this month I was at the AAMGA annual convention. This is a great time for me to catch up with peers and carriers and get a sense of what is happening in the marketplace. If I had to use one word to describe the mood, it would be neutral. I was not hearing the complaints about how crappy the market is, but maybe that’s because we have gotten used to the crap. Our business is built on relationship, service, and price and we understand the need to support all three. What I want you to hear is when you need us to go back to the carrier and sharpen our pencil, we can do that for you. Tell us what you need to write the risk because I don’t believe you should have to sacrifice service and relationship just to retain an account.
On the service side of the business, we have just released another great new feature that will make writing business with the Tuscano Agency even easier! You now have the ability to make online payments through our website. This new website feature comes with loads of options that will be extremely helpful - especially when you (or an insured) are facing an imminent payment due date. You can pay your statement balance, pay a single invoice, or any other amount, as long as you tell us where to apply it. You can use this tool to schedule your payment for your statement much like you do with your credit card payments. It will also be very helpful when you need to make a payment to get an account bound or when it has special payment terms. If you have any questions about how to use this tool, give any one of the wonderful people on our Accounting Team a call. They would be happy to walk you through it your first time. There is one important item to note and that is you can only make online payments from your own bank account. You cannot do it from an insured’s account.
Go Pens!