Why You Need to Hire a Virtual Assistant with Insurance Experience
In the dynamic field of insurance, where precision, efficiency, and client satisfaction are the markers of success, the decision to hire a virtual assistant with specialized experience is vital. Providing essential back office support services, insurance virtual assistants help free up your time so you can focus on the income-generating aspects of your business.
A recent study on the outsourcing and performance of insurance firms in Nigeria highlighted the benefits of virtual assistants in maintaining a competitive advantage in the industry. The insurance agencies reported that they were able to lower operating costs and hand over tedious back office support services to a skilled professional when they hire a virtual assistant.
Hence, when you outsource tasks, you can focus on serving clients effectively while a VA maintains the precision and efficiency of your back office solutions. In this blog, we will explain the potential benefits when you hire a virtual assistant, what services they can offer, how to find the right one, and ultimately why you should choose one with insurance industry experience.
What is a Virtual Assistant's Job Description?
An insurance virtual assistant is a skilled professional who provides curated back office solutions to brokers and insurance agencies. Their job description often includes remote administrative support such as:
- Data management. When you hire a virtual assistant they can organize documents, files and folders so you can have updated data readily available when needed.
- Data management. When you hire a virtual assistant they can organize documents, files and folders so you can have updated data readily available when needed.
-
- Client Outreach. Aside from back office support services, insurance virtual assistants can also respond, follow-up and reach out to potential leads and clients using email, chat, text and fax communications.
-
- Process Documentation. Additionally, you can streamline your operations when you hire a virtual assistant. They can help you create, process, and review reports, or do research on your behalf.
-
- Handling Calls. Lastly, they provide excellent customer service. Virtual assistants can handle inbound and outbound calls from direct carriers, banks, and clients.
Bear in mind that these are only generic back office support services that a VA can do for you. Their specific goals and day-to-day tasks can still vary depending on your business needs. When you hire a virtual assistant, they can oversee the process of insurance applications from quoting until customer support, giving you the flexibility to meet with potential clients to discuss and sell policies.
What are the benefits when you hire a virtual assistant?
The benefits of virtual assistants in the workplace transcends more than just back office support services. When they take tasks off your plate, they not only free up your hands to do more, but they give you a better headspace to strategize how you can achieve bigger goals.
A Harvard Business Review article reports that an insurance company based in Scandinavia was able to increase their sales by 5% over a three-week period when they outsourced tasks to remote workers. Insurance professionals shared that they were able to free up one-fifth of their time to strategize by letting a dedicated assistant handle their meetings and administrative tasks.
Additional benefits when you hire a virtual assistant include:
- Cost-Efficiency. Compared to an in-house employee, virtual assistant services cost significantly less. It usually costs around $999 to $2419 monthly to hire a virtual assistant with the package price depending on the type of services provided. Also, since they will be working remotely, you can save up on expenses when it comes to renting office space, utilities, and office equipment.
- Customized Back Office Support. A virtual assistant is a flexible member of your team. Unlike regular employees whose tasks are limited by the scope of their job roles, an insurance virtual assistant can provide tailored back office support that aligns with your business needs.
- Specialized Knowledge and Skills. When you hire a virtual assistant with insurance industry experience, you don’t need to spend countless hours training them when they start integrating in your operations. They would already possess specialized knowledge and skills on the basics of US property and casualty insurance, making them ready to handle your insurance back office solutions right off the bat.
- Cost-Efficiency. Compared to an in-house employee, virtual assistant services cost significantly less. It usually costs around $999 to $2419 monthly to hire a virtual assistant with the package price depending on the type of services provided. Also, since they will be working remotely, you can save up on expenses when it comes to renting office space, utilities, and office equipment.
How to Find the Right Insurance Virtual Assistant?
Preparing to hire a virtual assistant that fits your business can be a daunting task. However, it’s crucial to ensure that you get the right person to run your insurance back office solutions seamlessly. Here are some key factors to consider when looking for the right insurance virtual assistant for the job:
- Define Your Needs. Identify which tasks you want to delegate to your assistant. List down these back office support services and create your own virtual assistant’s job description to attract suitable candidates.
- Look for Relevant Skills and Knowledge. When you hire a virtual assistant, consider their skills, training and knowledge. If you would be needing support when it comes to handling client concerns, then an insurance virtual assistant with a background in customer service would be an ideal fit.
- Ensure Good Communication Skills. Effective communication is essential in a remote work setup. Hire a virtual assistant who can interact with clients and colleagues effectively. An insurance virtual assistant who possesses good communication skills would be able to collaborate seamlessly with you and minimize the risk of misunderstandings and errors ensuring a smooth workflow.
- Check for Professionalism. Check character references and past work experiences when you hire a virtual assistant. Professionalism goes beyond just completing tasks. An insurance virtual assistant who is professional maintains a positive environment boosting the productivity and motivation of their team.
- Go for a Trial Period. Unlike traditional employees, you can opt in for a trial period when you hire a virtual assistant. A trial period enables you to assess whether the insurance virtual assistant aligns with your company’s values, work ethic, and expectations. You can gauge whether they can complete your insurance back office solutions efficiently or if you would rather hire a virtual assistant with skills and experiences that would match your business needs.
- Define Your Needs. Identify which tasks you want to delegate to your assistant. List down these back office support services and create your own virtual assistant’s job description to attract suitable candidates.
Transform Your Back Office Solutions When You Hire A Virtual Assistant
Whether you are looking to hire a virtual assistant for long-term or as a temporary solution to your back office support needs, choosing a VA with industry experience ensures that you are getting your money’s worth. When you hire a virtual assistant, you gain a versatile team member capable of handling diverse tasks, from data management to client outreach, process documentation, and call handling. Their adaptability allows you to customize the back office support you receive according to your business needs, providing a level of services that traditional employees can’t match.
In the fast-paced world of insurance, staying ahead of the curve is essential. The key to a successful business venture lies in the ability to optimize your back office solutions and delegate repetitive deskwork to a VA. Hiring a virtual assistant with insurance industry experience is a strategic move that can transform your agency and increase your revenue.
Finding the right insurance virtual assistant may seem like a challenging endeavor, but with the right tools you can make informed decisions that would benefit your business. If you are looking to hire a virtual assistant of your own, book a consultation with InsBOSS and let us help you source talents that would best suit your business needs.
