PIA National and its carrier council, The PIA Partnership, have unveiled a new toolkit for PIA members and agents appointed by carriers participating in The PIA Partnership.

The PIA Partnership's new Winning@Virtual toolkit, available at www.winningatvirtual.com, enables independent insurance agents to make the most of today's digital solutions so that they are prepared to excel at sales and service. The Winning@Virtual toolkit helps independent agents assess their virtual readiness; decide which technologies are right for their agency; calculate ROI on the solutions they choose; select vendors; apply best practices; and learn from other agencies.

"Independent agents have grown increasingly comfortable using digital tools for some time, but the pandemic has sped up consumer expectations and agency owners' desire to invest in new technologies" said 2021 PIA Partnership Chair Gerald Ladner of State Auto Insurance Companies. "Many agents find it difficult to determine which technologies are right for their agency and will have the biggest impact on their success. Winning@Virtual solves that problem and actually helps agents implement digital tools in their agencies."

"Winning@Virtual includes a recommended set of nine digital tools for agencies, grouped into basic and advanced technologies," said PIA National President Wayne F. White, CPA, CPIA, PFMM, of Little Rock, Arkansas. "It describes these in layman's terms, so agency owners can easily envision how each technology will benefit their agency.

"The icing on the cake is a series of videos of PIA members explaining how they use these technologies in their agencies," said White. "These agents describe the benefits they are experiencing through these technologies, the business results their agencies are realizing, and pitfalls to avoid."

The PIA Partnership is a joint effort of leading insurance carriers and PIA. PIA and the companies belonging to The PIA Partnership work together to develop hands-on tools for PIA members and agents appointed by Partnership carriers, specifically addressing areas of opportunity in the agency-company partnership.

The PIA Partnership was established in 1996. PIA would like to thank the PIA Partnership companies that helped to develop Winning@Virtual: Encompass Insurance, Erie Insurance, Liberty Mutual Insurance, MetLife Auto & Home, National General Insurance, Progressive Insurance, Selective Insurance Group, State Auto Insurance Companies, The Hanover Insurance Group, Travelers and West Bend Mutual Insurance Company. Learn more about The PIA Partnership at www.ThePIAPartnership.com.