WORCESTER, Mass. -- A newly upgraded World Wide Web site created by Allmerica Financial Center aims to help agents be more productive and help clients obtain information on their insurance needs.

By accessing the site, www.allmerica.com, potential clients can access financial solutions to their needs and search a list of affiliated agents of Citizens Insurance Co. of America and The Hanover Insurance Co. by city, state, ZIP code, area code or agency name.

Potential clients that wish to contact a particular agency on the site may do so via e-mail, phone or fax for a quote and more information.

Affiliated agencies of the Allmerica insurers that have their own Web sites can link their sites to the Allmerica site, and visitors can instantly connect to the agency's site.

Citizens and Hanover also are giving their agencies the tools to build links to help customers go from the agency site to the Allmerica site.

IIAA online tool

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The Independent Agents of America Inc. has launched a new online tool to help agents with education and meetings.

Called The Learning Curve, the tool gives independent agents access to a wide range of World Wide Web-based educational offerings. The software also facilitates virtual meetings and conferences in real time with audio and video.

The Learning Curve integrates a comprehensive set of tools, such as PowerPoint presentations, live audio and spreadsheet sharing, via the Internet to allow as many as 50 people to participate. The software also allows live and self-paced instruction, accessible at any time.

The central server is located at IIAA headquarters in Alexandria, Va., and is delivered over the Internet, a company's intranet or via a dial-up modem.

A presentation of the software can be found on the IIAA's Web site at www.independentagent.com.

Strategic alliance

NEW YORK -- Broker Kaye Group Inc. and the Kemper Insurance Cos. have formed a strategic alliance to help smaller producers gain access to large multiline insurers, which typically set production volume requirements too high for small agencies.

Under the nationwide alliance, called the Main Street Enterprise, Kaye's program management subsidiary, Program Brokerage Corp., provides access for smaller, local insurance producers to Kemper's Business Owners Policy, a multiperil coverage package.

Eligible accounts generally range from $1,000 to $15,000 in annual premium. The program also offers Kemper's workers compensation class plans, commercial excess liability and automobile coverages.