Arbella is always looking for new ways to serve you better. In October, we created an online Umbrella Renewal Questionnaire to make the renewal process faster and easier for you. If you have not yet taken advantage of the new online form, we'd like to help you get started.

Myth Busters

Not familiar with the details of the new online umbrella process? Check out the five most common myths we've heard about the new questionnaires:

Myth: Arbella's online umbrella renewal questionnaires are blank forms-nothing really changed.

Fact: Everything changed! Prefilled umbrella questionnaires are now online. Make revisions right on the screen. Electronically submit completed questionnaires to Arbella. Email or print a PDF copy to your insured using the printable PDF icon.

Myth: The questionnaires must be completed every year.

Fact: To reduce your workload, Arbella umbrella questionnaires are now required every other year based on policy year and day. For 2013 policy effective dates of 01/13/13 and later:

a. Policies effective on an odd day require a questionnaire.

b. Policies effective on an even day do not require a questionnaire and will renew as is (unless underwriting action is taken for another reason). For policies that do not require a completed questionnaire, it is increasingly important that you update exposure changes as soon as they occur.

Myth: Online questionnaires are loaded once a month.

Fact: Questionnaires are loaded every day, 92 days prior to the renewal effective date. Remember to check ArbellaConnect™ often for required questionnaires. If the "due date" turns red, it's a reminder that a questionnaire has not been submitted yet. If a questionnaire has not been submitted by the due date, the policy will not be renewed.

Myth: Signed questionnaires still need to be mailed to Arbella.

Fact: You still need the insured's signature, but you may now electronically submit questionnaire information and retain the signed questionnaire in your file.

Myth: Questionnaires are still mailed via U.S. Postal Service from Arbella to you.

Easy to Find!

This report can be found under PERSONAL LINES TOOLS on Arbella Connect.

Additional Features

• Redesigned questionnaire form for better flow of information
• Option to add attachments electronically
• Online help document located right on the report
• Hard stops for empty fields that are required for underwriting consideration
• New statuses:

"Not Submitted"  -- a completed questionnaire is required

"Received"          -- a completed questionnaire was received via U.S. mail

"Submitted"         -- a completed questionnaire was submitted electronically and    

                                 includes a submission date/time stamp

We invite you to start using the online Umbrella Renewal Questionnaire tool today! Please contact your underwriter or territory manager if you have any questions. Or if you prefer a walk-through of the process over the phone, we are happy to accommodate you!  

As always, we thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Erin Schaaf, CPCU 

Director of Personal Lines Underwriting