November 2011 ISSUE:

Free Webinars

Mexico for the Holidays

Newsletter Writing Tips

What Clients Need to Know

November 2011 Events

'SIO Links

New Vehicle Import Rules

Important Mexico Travel Links

A.M. Best Rating

Boost Affiliate Commissions

ITIS Web Development

Quick Access Links...

SIO Homepage

New Agent Sign Up

More about SIO

Sign-Up for a Free Webinar

Download a Producer Guide

Contact Us

888-467-4639

New Vehicle Import Rules

Your insured's who travel outside the Mexico "Free Zone" will require a vehicle importation permit. The Mexico "free zone" consists of the states of Baja and most of Sonora, and areas in other states farther than 20 km from the border.

A vehicle importation permit can be obtained online prior to travel at the Banjercito website. Travelers will receive a pass code and then should visit any Banjercito location to obtain their Vehicle Import Permit, between 24 hours and 15 days of receiving the pass code.

Important Links For Your Customers Traveling to Mexico

Current Border Crossing Wait Times

• U.S. State Department International Travel Information

• Mexico Entry and Exit Requirements

• Driving Distance to Popular Mexico Destinations

A.M. Best Rating
Does it Matter?

The A.M. Best Company is a credit rating organization dedicated to serving the financial services industries. It has been rating companies for over 100 years. The A.M. Best rating determines a company's strength and credit-worthiness, as well as stability and reliability.

Never place your clients' U.S. insurance with unrated insurers. Make sure you are selling coverage through financially stable, A.M. Best Rated insurers. Each of the insurers MIO offers are rated "Excellent" or "Good" by A.M. Best.

Boost Commissions Online

The best thing about Specialty Insurance Online's Mexico insurance program is you don't need to invest money or time to start selling...simply post an affiliate link to your website and your customers can self-serve their Mexico auto insurance. Start making money through your website today! Contact Erin Beaty at 888-467-4639, extension 124 to learn more and sign up now.

ITIS Web Development

ITIS Web Development, a division of IIG, now offers years of web design experience to our agents. Utilize the skills of our expert IT team to build a website or improve your search engine rankings.

Contact ITIS today for a quote!
866.991.ITIS or www.itiswebdevelopment.com

Happy Holidays!

Our November newsletter focuses on how you can increase your agency revenues. One, by capitalizing on the large number of people who will be driving to Mexico to celebrate the season. Snowbirds and retirees have started their annual migration to Mexico, and more than a million people will be returning to Mexico to visit friends and family for the Holidays. We also provide tips on creating a monthly newsletter your clients will want to read.

We would like to invite you to use our www.SpecialtyInsOnline.com operation to place U.S. and International Specialty Insurance. Our new and expanded SIO lines include International Travel/Medical Insurance, and Vacant, Rental and Vacation Rental Dwelling insurance in the U.S. We also offer Manufactured Home and RV Insurance in every state. Our policies are offered through A-rated insurers. Our travelers insurance provides long and short-term travel and health insurance for U.S. and non-U.S. citizens.

Please enjoy reading about our new products and the articles we've included. Share them with your peers and clients, and visit www.SpecialtyInsOnline.com for fast and easy access to the best Mexico Insurance, U.S. Specialty Domestic Insurance and International Medical Insurance programs available anywhere.

Sincerely,
Specialty Insurance Online
www.SpecialtyInsOnline.com
The Mexico Insurance Professionals

Hispanics & Snowbirds Drive to Mexico for the Holidays

Each year more than a million Hispanics, residing in the U.S., head home to Mexico to spend the holidays with friends and family. The next 60-days are the most prosperous times of the year for Mexico auto insurance providers. It's a great time to increase revenue, serve your community and gain exposure to entirely new markets! If you need bilingual supplies, marketing posters, or brochures, please get them from www.mexicoinsuranceonline.com by completing the online order form. SIO has also provided newsletter writing tips in this mailing to help you promote your products during this time of the year.

Snowbird Season has also begun. Don't miss out on the opportunity to serve snowbirds traveling South as the weather cools.

Newsletter Writing Tips for Agents

Writing a newsletter is a great way to communicate with clients and potential clients. It may initially sound like a difficult task, but we are going to help you by giving you some simple steps and ideas.

We are all barraged by email, so how can you communicate effectively with your insured's? How do you screen your emails? Within seconds you are determining if you read it or file in the proverbial round file. Your clients are doing the same thing. Below are four easy steps that will help you better reach and communicate with your clients.

1. Choose a Catchy Subject: An email newsletter needs to have a catchy title. Tell the client exactly what they are going to get in the newsletter. Be creative and clear.

[Examples: Headed to Mexico for Christmas? ¡Feliz Navidad! or New Vehicle Import Permit Rules for those Driving to Mexico]

2. Get to the point: If it's important--put it in the first or last line. The first paragraph(s) should tell your reader about what they can hope to find, learn or gain from reading the newsletter. Be specific and short. Make it about the reader. Twitter gets people's attention in 140 characters or less.

[Example: Are you one of the millions driving to Mexico for the holidays? If so, your U.S. auto insurance policy won't cover you in Mexico. Be sure you are properly protected with a Mexico Tourist Auto policy from an A-rated insurer. We offer outstanding coverage at competitive prices.]

There are numerous topics that will be interesting to your clients; i.e. border crossing times, border crossing locations, maps of Mexico, vehicle import permit rules, legal/law changes in Mexico, warnings or travel advisories, events in Mexico…

3. Allow the client to do something: Not every company or carrier has online capabilities, but many do. If your email allows them to do something, then make a call to action. If it is information, then make it worth their time.

[Example: Don't just let us tell you about it, get a quote now! If you like your quote you don't have to call us you can buy right online. Need help, no problem call us at XXX-XXX-XXXX today!]

4. Make your communication predictable: If your communication proves helpful to your clients, they will learn to value your advice and continue to read your newsletters.

'Tis the season... If you don't have a regimented communication system, then start one today. If you need help getting your links or have questions, call us today at 1-888-467-4639.

What Your Clients Need to Know About Their Insurance Policy

As many people plan for travel to Mexico to vacation or visit family and friends during the Holidays, they will purchase Mexican auto insurance. Since this can often be a hectic time, SIO has put together a short list of what your clients should know about their policy before heading to Mexico.

1. Mexican plated vehicles CAN NOT be insured by this Mexican tourist auto insurance policy. Mexican car rentals are excluded. ONLY U.S. or Canadian registered vehicles are eligible.

2. Anyone can drive the insured's vehicle under this policy, BUT
a. they must have a valid U.S. or Canadian driver's license,
b. be 21 years of age or older, and
c. have the permission to drive the vehicle from the owner.
NOTE: Coverage will be VOID if anyone with a Mexican driver's license drives the vehicle.

3. TOWED ITEMS need to be included the policy. If they are not included the policy will be VOID in the event of a claim.

4. File all claims MUST BE FILED in Mexico! An adjuster in Mexico must be called to create a report in Mexico if there is a claim. Returning to the U.S. without an adjuster's report will void coverage.

5. Keep two copies of the policy. One copy should be kept in the vehicle and the other where you will be staying in the event of a theft.

November 2011 Events

There are numerous festivals and events happening every weekend in November. See below for some of the most popular.

Rocky Point Rally
Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, November 10 to 13
The annual Rocky Point Rally is a motorcycle event that raises money for charity. Festivities include biker competitions, stunt shows, and parties.
Website: www.rockypointrally.com

44th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000
Ensenada, Baja November 7 to 20
The historic Baja 1000 race begins in Ensenada and takes place through the rugged deserts of the Baja state. Over 400 drivers compete in various divisions including dirt bikes and 4×4 trucks.
Website: www.score-international.com.