Insurance Agent Job Description
Insurance agents sell and negotiate life, health, property, or other types of insurance to match the needs of their clients. As an insurance agent, you may work for an insurance company, refer clients to independent brokers, or work as an independent broker.
Marketing also plays a large part in the day-to-day duties of an insurance agent. Successful insurance agents implement marketing strategies to promote new and current insurance policies. are also crucial to bringing new customers to your agency.
As an insurance agent, you develop relationships with prospective clients through networking and referrals. Those relationships are the bedrock of your business. You can develop a long-term base of clients through many channels, including referrals, cold calling, email, social media, and postal mailing. You can also present to groups at work-related gatherings or speak publicly at an insurance-related event. In addition to finding new clients, as an insurance agent, you must maintain relationships with existing clients. Your reputation as an insurance agent depends on you being a reliable first point of contact when your client needs to file a claim or increase their coverage due to major life events, like purchasing a new car or having a child.
What Is An Insurance Broker
Insurance brokers represent individuals and small businesses to find the best value in terms of cost and coverage. Simply stated, insurance brokers represent the interests of the buyer, not the interests of the seller.
Insurance brokers offer experience in different types of insurance and risk management, working closely with individuals and companies to establish the scope of their insurance needs. With this understanding, insurance brokers shop a variety of insurance companies to find the best policy fit for their customer.
Whether focused on one particular type of insurance or industry or more generalized across a variety of categories, insurance brokers research coverage, terms, conditions and the price of various policies and then offer a recommendation to their customer.
While insurance brokers work for insurance buyers, their pay comes predominantly from the commissions they receive on policy premiums. The commissions normally run between 2 percent and 8 percent of the premium as determined under state law. Commonly, insurance companies offer additional commissions to brokers on policy renewals. The additional commissions act as an incentive for brokers to find the best fit for customers from the start.
What Are The Key Differences Between An Agent And A Broker
The main differences between insurance agents and brokers are as follows:
- Representation. Agents represent insurance companies, while brokers represent clients.
- Bind coverage. Agents can complete sales, brokers cannot.
- Appointment. Agents are appointed to represent the insurance companies ahead of the sale. Appointments are contracts that set rules for how much an agent can sell and what commission they can make.
You May Like: Types Of Coverage For Car Insurance
Advantages Of Spaying Or Neutering Your Pet
While spaying or neutering your pet may be expensive, there are numerous advantages:
#1. Encourages a healthier lifestyle
Spayed and neutered cats and dogs have a statistically longer lifespan than those who do not have the procedure. If you dont fix your pets reproductive system, some health problems, like pyometra, mammary gland tumors, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, testicular cancer, and prostate disease, are more likely to happen.
Compared to neutered dogs, intact dogs are more likely to spray, mount, and roam, while intact cats are more likely to mark their territory with urine. Leaving pets alone can also reduce howling, the desire to roam, and aggressive behavior. The owners would also have to deal with the fact that unspayed females go into heat every few weeks, which can be annoying. A dogs heat cycle lasts about two weeks.
#2. Aids in the control of the homeless pet population
Because of overpopulation, nearly one million homeless cats and dogs are killed in shelters each year. By spaying or neutering your pet, you can help cut down on the number of unwanted pets that have to be put down.
Slows the spread of genetically predisposed conditionsIf your dog or cat has a genetic disorder that can be passed down to future generations, spaying or neutering your pet is critical to preventing future generations from inheriting the same genetic disorder or disease.
Training Experience And Knowledge
Through the educational requirements and some experience in the insurance field, brokers gain significant knowledge in the insurance industry. They stay well informed about particular types of insurance, and they know how to cover specific claims.
For example, your broker can explain to you exactly what type of risks your homeowners insurance policy covers and the exclusions. They explain acts of god, negligent acts, intentional acts, slip and falls, and loss or theft of your valuable items. Armed with this knowledge, you make better-informed decisions about what kinds and amounts of insurance you need.
This is your brokers job. They help you understand the risks and liabilities that you have. And they outline how to manage those through insurance. Your brokers can then help you review several insurance options to choose the policies and premiums that best fit your needs and budget.
Most of the time, consumers and business owners find using a broker preferable to purchasing insurance with an agent or directly from the company. Working with an insurance broker has many benefits, and ultimately can result in better coverage.
Read Also: What Is The Insurance Policy Number
Do You Need An Insurance Broker
Anyone might get a better deal from an insurance broker if theres one to be had, so it may be worth considering, either way. But the more complicated your insurance needs, the more you need one.
You can get away without an insurance broker if:
- Youre shopping for a single type of insurance, such as car insurance or life insurance.
- Youre willing to do your own research on several different insurers.
- You can spare the time to communicate with multiple insurers potentially several hours spread over days or weeks.
- Youre willing to get quotes directly from each insurer.
- You have a basic understanding of how insurance works and can compare important quote details like premiums, coverage, and policy limits.
Other times, working with an insurance broker is probably the way to go. Situations in which a broker makes sense include:
- Youre shopping for several different types of insurance at once.
- You dont know much about the types of insurance youre shopping for and dont have the time or inclination to research them.
- You dont have time to communicate with insurance companies before you apply.
- You want assurances youre getting the best possible deal on coverage.
Even if you dont specifically need to, working with a broker reduces your own time and aggravation, could save you money, and doesnt cost anything out of pocket, so it might be worth a shot, either way.
Does Lemonade Pet Insurance Cover Spaying
Yes. Lemonades Preventative Care package can help you save money on spaying or neutering. Lemonade offers some insurance coverage options. Because the incident was not covered by accident and illness, they clearly state that they will not cover things like anesthesia, painkillers, examinations, and so on. Lemonade will not cover the costs of spaying and neutering because they fall into this category.
Since we recommend getting a pet insurance policy for your cat or dog as soon as possible, it makes sense to get a policy that pays for spaying and neutering , so you can have a healthy and content pet and avoid some other health problems that may arise from having an intact pet.
Also Check: Cost For Whole Life Insurance
How Insurance Brokers Make Money
The primary way an insurance broker makes money is from commissions and fees earned on sold policies. These commissions are typically a percentage of the policy’s total annual premium. An insurance premium is the amount of money an individual or business pays for an insurance policy.
Once earned, the premium is income for the insurance company. It also represents a liability as the insurer must provide coverage for claims being made against the policy. Insurers use premiums to cover liabilities associated with the policies they underwrite. They may also invest in premiums to generate higher returns and offset some of the costs of providing the insurance coverage, which can help an insurer keep prices competitive.
Insurers invest the premiums in assets with varying liquidity and return levels, but they are required to maintain a certain level of liquidity. State insurance regulators set the number of liquid assets necessary to ensure insurers can pay claims.
An insurance broker or agent will often earn a lump sum percentage against the first-year premium of a policy that they sell and then a smaller but ongoing annual residual income payment over the policy’s life.
How To Find A Broker
One of the most common methods is seeking referrals from trusted sources, such as friends, family members, an accountant or a personal attorney. There are many online resources that can help, too, though its important to know who funds the website and for what purpose. The same goes for broker-sponsored websites, which are easily found in online search results.
You can visit healthcare.govs Find Assistance program, which lets customers search an online directory for brokers, agents and government-funded enrollment assistants. It also lets users submit a request to be contacted by a broker through HelpOnDemand.com or a states online exchange. Other entities unaffiliated with a carrier, such as a local chamber of commerce or association of health underwriters, can also be helpful resources.
You May Like: I Need Health Insurance But I Have No Income
What Does A Health Insurance Broker Do Exactly
A health insurance broker is a licensed benefits professional who can help individuals and businesses manage the health insurance selection process from start to finish. While some people prefer to research plan options on their own, others are overwhelmed by the process of buying health insurance and can benefit from professional assistance. Insurance agents and brokers also help business owners sift through available options to find a healthcare plan thats compatible with the needs and budget of their company.
You can use HealthCareInsider.coms web form to choose a plan on your own, or call HealthCareInsider.coms phone number to connect with a licensed insurance broker.
What Insurance Brokers Do
Although we have looked at the different types of insurance brokers and provided a brief overview of the role, we are yet to look into the specific day-to-day duties of an insurance broker. Naturally, this is the key information youll want to know if you are looking to start a career in this role.
Varying brokerages and financial advice firms all operate differently, and what an insurance broker actually does each day will depend on their specialism. However, common responsibilities in the role includes the following:
- Building and maintaining client relationships
- Researching specialist market trends, as well as new insurance policies and products
- Negotiating better policy terms and deals with insurance providers
- Discussing clients current and future needs in relation to their cover
- Advising clients on when and how to make claims on their policies when needed
- Collaborating with insurance underwriters and agents on reports and contract formation
- Ensuring insurance premiums are collected
- Renewing, upgrading and amending existing insurance policies for clients.
Also Check: Who Has The Cheapest Home Insurance
Does Trupanion Pet Insurance Cover Spaying And Neutering
No, Trupanions plans do not include spaying and neutering coverage. The insurance company thinks that the repair is an important part of a pets regular health and preventive care. Its important to note that Trupanion expanded its basic coverage in 2014 to include diseases like testicular or mammary tumors that affect dogs and cats who havent been spayed or neutered.
Cost Savings On Your Premiums
How do insurance brokers provide this expert advice without it costing you extra? Brokers can get lower rates on insurance for you. The insurance companies offer brokers lower rates because the companies know brokers guide their clients to purchase the right policy with proper coverage.
Policyholders using insurance brokers make fewer unnecessary claims. And are more likely to be insured for the right amounts. So, ultimately this saves insurance companies money. As a result, as a brokers client, you have lower premium cost options.
Your broker offers you a range of different insurers quotes for more options to fit your needs and your budget. The ability to shop around for the best price from several carriers usually saves you money when you use a broker.
Negotiating Premiums
You have probably seen ads where the big insurance companies encourage you to buy direct from them. They even suggest you save money by eliminating the middleman.
Firstly, cutting out the middleman does not actually save money in most situations. Because broker wholesale is lower than direct retail pricing, you usually get a better deal using a broker. Brokers professional training in accurate risk assessment presents a lower risk, so insurance companies discount the premiums.
Don’t Miss: What Is Commercial Umbrella Insurance
How Are Insurance Brokers Different To Insurance Agents
An insurance agent will typically only work for one insurance company. In comparison, an insurance broker works on the behalf of the customer and will have access to a wide range of insurers across the market, so choice and cover is not limited.
So, if you work with an insurance agent you will only have access to the particular insurance company that they work for. Whilst an insurance agent will get you the best cover from the insurer they work with, you will be limited with regards to the rest of the insurance market. An agent therefore effectively works on behalf of an insurer.
Whereas an insurance broker works on behalf of the client. BIBA code of conduct states that brokers must Act in the best interest of each client. This gives you access to a wider range of insurers.
What Is An Employee Benefits Broker
An Employee Benefits Broker is a licensed insurance professional who specializes in employee benefits brokerage services. The broker knows what benefits programs are available, which vendors provide them, and how benefits are priced. An experienced benefits broker will take the time to understand your organization and develop a customized employee benefits plan to meet your workforces needs.
Also Check: North Star Mutual Insurance Company
When Should You Use An Insurance Broker
Anyone can use an insurance broker to arrange their insurance.
Those working for an insurance broker will be experts and specialists in insurance. They are therefore well positioned to be able to advise you of the cover you may require.
In particular you may want to use an insurance broker if you:
Have complex insurance needs e.g. you are a business owner who has multiple businesses and properties
Are looking for specialist cover you may have health conditions which make it harder to obtain travel insurance or require specialist insurance for a property in a flood risk area
Need a specialist provider comparison sites typically offer a more generic selection of insurance providers those that cover mainstream risks. If you have a classic car for example, it is unlikely you will find a specialist provider on a comparison site. The same will likely be the case if you have high value collections e.g. art, jewellery. Brokers are more likely to be able to access specialist providers or access the right cover from mainstream providers.
Watch these videos from the British Insurance Brokers Association for more information on how a broker could help if you are looking to buy personal insurance or commercial insurance.
What Additional Resources Capabilities And Expertise Do You Provide
An employee benefits broker shouldnt be one person its a team of experts. Compliance experts, underwriters, risk analysts, a medical director to review pre-authorizations and claims, and more. As employers expectations expanded, it’s better if a benefits brokers expertise extends outside insurance into arenas like human capital management.
Also Check: How To Switch Auto Insurance
What Are The Duties Of A Real Estate Account Executive
Reading specialists require a plethora of skills, such as a background in grade school education, experience in helping struggling readers, language fluency, and reading comprehension. Responsibilities include teaching and evaluating instructions for students that need assistance in reading and writing. This may take place in both small groups and classroom settings.
Next up, we have the real estate account executive profession to look over. This career brings along a lower average salary when compared to a broker annual salary. In fact, real estate account executives salary difference is $61,986 lower than the salary of brokers per year.
While the salary may be different for these job positions, there is one similarity and that’s a few of the skills needed to perform certain duties. We used info from lots of resumes to find that both brokers and real estate account executives are known to have skills such as “procedures,” “real estate,” and “new clients. “
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren’t so similar. For example, several resumes showed us that broker responsibilities requires skills like “brokerage,” “life insurance,” “communication,” and “financial services.” But a real estate account executive might use skills, such as, “journal entries,” “yardi,” “gaap,” and “general ledger accounts.”
How Do You Determine If Someone Is An Insurance Broker
The state regulates brokers to have a license. Every state has some differences in the requirements for brokers to get a license in that state.
You have probably worked with insurance agents before. But a broker fills a different role than your agent. Unlike an insurance agent, brokers dont work for any insurance companies. They work directly for you, so you get the best advice on insurance options. A broker supports your interests.
A broker starts by helping you identify your personal, family, organizational and business liability risks. Knowing this, you can make informed decisions about the insurance you need and how much protection to buy. A broker guides you through these decisions and provides several competing quotes.
The broker is well-informed in every facet of insurance products, especially as it applies to your local market. And they capably support both new and existing clients with coverage for a wide variety of needs and assets.
Recommended Reading: Progressive Auto Insurance Telephone Number