Press Release

Building an “Insurance Store in a Box” Solution

From an innocuous request-for-info email 2 years ago, Meridian and Direct General Auto Insurance commenced on the path of a self-service solution that would disrupt the way consumers buy coverage. The solution Meridian designed and built for Direct General is “Direct on the Spot” (DOTS), an “Insurance Store in a Box” solution that was deployed to 18 Tennessee Direct General Auto Insurance stores this past August for testing in advance of a multi-state rollout next year to grocery stores, gas stations, car dealerships, shopping centers, and other locations. 

November 19, 2013

From an innocuous request-for-info email 2 years ago, Meridian and Direct General Auto Insurance commenced on the path of a self-service solution that would disrupt the way consumers buy coverage. The solution Meridian designed and built for Direct General is “Direct on the Spot” (DOTS), an “Insurance Store in a Box” solution that was deployed to 18 Tennessee Direct General Auto Insurance stores this past August for testing in advance of a multi-state rollout next year to grocery stores, gas stations, car dealerships, shopping centers, and other locations.

The DOTS self-service kiosk allow the customer to purchase a Direct Auto insurance policy – receiving an accurate quote in less than a minute and a new policy with proof of insurance just 5-minutes later.  When a policy is completed, the client receives a gift card to the store location where the kiosk is housed.  Though several venues have expressed interest in housing the DOTS kiosk in-store, DG is actively vetting more location prospects for the rollout.

Marc DiGiacomo, VP of Product Management for Direct General states, “The customer experience was a big part of the complexity of this undertaking. You can’t put a web experience on a kiosk.  We searched for a kiosk vendor to help us with that and to understand the customer experience in high traffic areas.”  With the need for more than a metal box and web solution, Meridian quickly became obvious as the only all-in-one solution provider for Direct Auto’s need. Direct General had several leading points of concern:

•  A continuum of user experience across all platforms for brand consistency.

• Ability to have massive growth potential for coverage outside the retail environment by utilizing other retail outlets for greater capability.

•  New Market Business Growth opportunity with ability to provide extended scalable coverage at a low cost. 

The project was a true concept to completion solution that integrated every member of the Meridian team.  Meridian began a parameter review to determine the best way to address Direct General’s marketplace needs, then built the user experience environment that is the DOTS solution.  From defining the optimal user experience, conceptualizing the design, and developing detailed engineering drawings to construction and component integration; in answer to Direct General’s need -  “we provided the entire solution” states Chris Gilder, founder and CEO of Meridian. “They did not want to go to four or five different companies. They wanted an all-in-one solution provider… They looked at several companies, but we were the only one that could build this for them within their time frame.”

Jeremy Spratt, VP of global business development at Meridian said the DOTS kiosk is a very “sophisticated solution that uses a high level of system intelligence." The DOTS self-service solution greatly “empowers the consumer.” “What we are really good at here at Meridian is helping companies achieve business transformation through the use of self-service programs.” Meridian took the concept (driven by Direct General) and helped guide the project through discovery and development, and is engaged to help steer the ship to a successful deployment.

If your company is looking for a partner in self-service development, Meridian just may be the solution for which you were looking.  Chris contends that Meridian offers design, flexibility, engineering, and speed-to-market benefits that are unrivaled in the industry.  “That is why Direct Auto chose us.”

Meridian’s mission is to develop custom solutions that address the market and customer’s needs, by delivering products that fit current business processes for successful self-service deployment.  From concept to completion, your needs satisfactorily met – that is the Meridian way.