Allstate Makes It Easier for Small Business Owners to Do Business

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Oct. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to help small business owners with one of the more complex aspects of owning a business – buying commercial insurance – Allstate Insurance Company has launched a new functionality that enables business owners to quickly and conveniently quote and purchase a businessowner's policy (BOP) in about five minutes, by going directly through Allstate.com or the Small Business Connection.

The Allstate commercial insurance pages (http://www.allstate.com/business) have been re-designed to launch the quoting platform and make it easier for small business owners to get the information they need to make an informed purchasing decision. The website design clearly defines the types of businesses Allstate insures, the coverages offered and tools and resources to help a small business owner, including special offers from partners such as SurePayroll and InfoMart. "By placing tools and resources conveniently in one place, we've created a one-stop shopping experience for buyers," said Michael Barton, president, Allstate Business Insurance.

Online Quoting for Busy Small Business Owners

The new quoting functionality integrates advanced data and analytics, along with third-party data to pre-fill data elements, which reduces the keystrokes needed for the quoting process. Small business owners can simply enter their information with minimal fields, and Allstate will deliver a quote for a tailored businessowners policy. Allstate's customizable BOP product, Business Shield^®, provides bespoke coverages and pricing designed to help protect against specific risks. After reviewing the quote, consumers will have the option to purchase the policy or talk to an Allstate insurance agency owner who can answer any additional questions. As small business owners themselves, agency owners understand the importance of making the right decisions for a business and can provide expertise.

With technology quickly evolving and buying trends becoming more digital, Allstate is committed to providing innovative small business solutions to consumers in a way that is fast, straightforward and allows them to purchase at their convenience. "Buyer preferences are changing. They want the ability to do-it-yourself," said Barton. "This innovative ability to quote and bind an online BOP in about five minutes showcases the big strides Allstate is making to help small business owners."

What Keeps Small Business Owners Up at Night?

In its commitment to help small business owners beyond the insurance transaction, Allstate has conducted several surveys in the past few years to discover what business issues are most worrisome or confusing to owners. The research and recent Allstate/USA TODAY Small Business Barometer survey results show that small business owners face the same critical business issues as Fortune 1,000 companies, yet they do not have the same resources to tackle them.

Helping Small Businesses Every Step of the Way

Allstate decided to take action on the findings and partnered with major corporations in the banking, legal, office supply, web marketing and technology sectors to launch the Small Business Connection; a free online resource hub built to help empower small business owners to find knowledge, insight, ideas and guidance to help solve those critical business issues. As the founding partners – some of America's most iconic brands – continue to invest in the future of small business owners, they have included the businessowner's policy quoting functionality on the Small Business Connection website and re-launched the website with a visually appealing design that is organized by different stages of business: start, grow, manage and retire. The website also hired Steve Strauss, USA Today's senior small business columnist, to be the editor-in-chief of the Small Business Connection. Strauss is considered one of the world's top resources for small businesses, entrepreneurs and the self-employed. "Small business owners have to be their own HR, IT, marketing and finance departments, and having resources from giants in the industry is extremely beneficial and can help them navigate unfamiliar territory," said Strauss.

As small business owners' needs and preferences change, Allstate continues to be innovative and a friend to small business owners, bringing new ways to help them run their businesses so they can focus on what matters most – their customers.

About Allstate Business Insurance
As a provider for more than 250,000 small-business policyholders distributed through 10,000 small-business insurance agency owners, Allstate Business Insurance provides insurance solutions and shares resources to help American small businesses prosper. Products and coverages include Business Shield (Business Owners Policy), Commercial Auto, Inland Marine, Umbrella and Cyber Security. For more information on Allstate Business Insurance, visit: www.allstate.com/business.

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, protecting approximately 16 million households from life's uncertainties through auto, home, life and other insurance offered through its Allstate, Esurance, Encompass and Answer Financial brand names. Now celebrating its 85th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is widely known through the slogan "You're In Good Hands With Allstate^®." Allstate agencies are in virtually every local community in America. In 2015, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate, its employees and agency owners gave $36 million to support local communities.

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SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company