Connected Conversations In Insurance: Lindsberg Pettway
In this episode, I bring together Lindsberg Pettway, an auto dealership sales manager and social media influencer, and Canopy Connect's founder and CEO, Tolga Tezel, to discuss the intersection of insurance and auto sales at dealerships.
From Educator to Auto Sales: Lindsberg's Journey
Lindsberg's path to automotive sales was an unexpected one. After 18 years in education, including roles as a teacher and high school principal, he found himself unemployed. A chance conversation led him to try car sales, where he quickly excelled by applying his educator's mindset. Lindsberg's approach focuses on customer-based transactions, emphasizing education and transparency. He even wrote a book, "The 4Real Deal Playbook for Car Buyers," to help consumers navigate the car buying process.
Canopy Connect: Streamlining Insurance Verification
Tolga shared the origin story of Canopy Connect, which started as a solution to help insurance agencies streamline their sales process. The company built an infrastructure allowing consumers to easily connect their insurance accounts, eliminating the need for time-consuming interrogations about policy details. Our solution soon found applications in the automotive industry, addressing pain points in the car buying process related to insurance verification.
Insurance Challenges in Auto Sales
Lindsberg highlighted common insurance-related issues at dealerships:
- Difficulty obtaining proper documentation from customers
- Delays in deals due to insurance verification
- Potential loss of sales when insurance can't be secured quickly
You're going to need to get proof of insurance from the consumer and and have that documented and check that it meets lenders requirements. That's traditionally been a pain point in the automotive purchase process because consumers are asked to upload a dec page or an ID card, and that can often be hard to get for the consumer.
Tolga Tezel, CEO and Founder of Canopy Connect
Current Trends in Auto Sales
Lindsberg also shared some hot topics in the industry:
- The "year of redesign" with many popular models getting updates
- Growing interest in electric vehicles (EVs)
- Increased standard safety features impacting insurance rates
He also mentioned the importance of having knowledgeable sales staff who can educate customers on these new technologies and features.
Connect with Lindsberg
Lindsberg's future plans include growing his social media presence, continuing to educate consumers, and potentially moving into speaking engagements and broader industry education.
Follow Lindsberg on TikTok and Instagram.
How to Get Instant Insurance Verification for Car Dealerships
Embracing modern solutions like Canopy Connect can transform a dealership's operations. By addressing common pain points in the sales process, dealerships can improve efficiency, boost customer satisfaction, and ultimately drive more sales.
Remember, removing any bottleneck—like auto insurance verification—is going to significantly impact your dealership. Don't let outdated processes hold you back.