Universal Underwriters Group, a provider of F&I products for automobile dealerships, is launching its electronic business manager program, "Take to the Road," at this year's National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention and Exposition in New Orleans.

With the program, the F&I manager shows the customer a brief, electronic presentation on key F&I products, such as vehicle service contracts, GAP, credit life and credit disability.

According to Universal Underwriters Group, benefits to the dealership include a time-saving presentation of available products and features in less than eight minutes. In addition, it helps ensure that customers are given consistent information and full disclosure.

"It allows for all of the products to be presented to every customer every time, which should help dealers achieve higher PVR," says Larry Foster, vice president and general manager for Universal Underwriters' Eastern Division. "Also, it greatly shortens the learning curve for new F&I people."

Members of Universal Underwriters' Dealer Advisory Council have been piloting the program since October 2001. "One of our pilot dealers said his credit insurance sales were up tenfold, and VSC sales had increased by more than 10% since they started using the program," says Bill Stoothoff, Universal Underwriters' vice president of F&I.

About Universal Underwriters Group

In business for 80 years, Universal Underwriters Group specializes in insurance, vehicle service contracts, sub-prime financing, and business enhancement products and services for the franchised automobile dealer.