I am very new to the industry of insurance! & I will say this is not the easiest one to be in!
Soo being just an independent benefits advisor, I would like to take a minute to write a little about my experience and maybe offer insight!
I decided to go this way because I was so frustrated with insurance just trying to understand that I found myself reading a lot about it and thought maybe I could help people better understand the insurance they need and guide them to the best option possible.
Well this has been harder than I thought! Not really understanding it for say- but the reach out. I am the one that does not like to be pushy or make someone feel like I am only there to benefit myself! And to be completely honest! I have spent more than I have made so far.
I wanted to share this because one thing got me! I have seen posts and comments about how much agents make off one plan and so on!
Let's clear the air a little! Commission is tied into the payment well before the plans are available! In fact that is the law. The 80/20 rule is that 80% of what we pay to companies must go directly to the care of people! The other 20 is for running the business like profit and yes commissions!
So here is the thing! Agents are not lawfully allowed to increase price! We simply put the information in and the company gives us a price!
But what happens when people decide to call the insurance company to sign up instead of using an agent? Well as I said the price includes commission! Would this mean the insurance company just made money in commissions? So who is the one really making out here? Agents don’t have the means to advertise like companies do! So we kind of have to go looking for people before they do call the bigger places!
Keynote to remember- The plans are the same whether you go with the big company or an agent we can not change that!
My point here is this! Before jumping into the thought that all agents are pushy and only care because of the money! and personally I am not pushy nor do I make a ton of money! – but I don’t make money because I am not pushy! Talk about a catch! What I do think is this! Agents might be bothering you especially-if you want to sign up BECAUSE!!! we do not make a penny at all for time or miles or anything! We make money when someone completes the forms!
To wrap this up- If you need help with health insurance, medicare or supplemental! Look for an agent nearby. If you find one that really cares, they will be there when you need it- and help elevete the horrible 1-800 number that none of us want to call! You will be a person not an application! And at the same time your helping your community by placing money back into the hands of your neighbors instead of corporations! Agents are a win-win! Use them!
Before I go I would like to say, I can not speak to all agents but I do know how I am! I am here to help you navigate and we will talk like normal people and most likely laugh! You will forget at times that I am even an agent! I will be there for you until the day you no longer want/need my help! I simply am just me!
Don't forget the little people!