Do holiday cards actually improve insurance retention?
A card by itself doesn't retain anyone. It is one touch in a retention program — and it is the least expensive line item in that program. Retention runs roughly five to seven times less than acquisition, and at about five dollars a card against a few hundred dollars to replace a client, the floor on the ratio is 50 to 1. Every realistic book beats the floor.
Personal lines or commercial lines first?
Commercial, if you're choosing. It goes on an office wall in front of the decision-maker and the accounts are worth more. Then personal lines as budget allows — and prioritize multi-policy households, which are both your most valuable and your most portable clients.
Can we imprint the agency logo and carrier branding?
Agency logo, yes — $30 one-time setup, kept on file for re-orders. Carrier branding depends on your carrier agreements and is your call to clear, not ours. Most agencies imprint agency name, agent name and a short greeting and leave carriers off.
When do we need to order?
September or October for a comfortable December. The early-order discount takes 25% off the card price if you order by October 15, then 20% by November 16 and 10% by December 11. Ordering early is the cheaper and calmer option, which is not usually how those two go together.