Agents

If you’re a brand new agent (or someone that needs a refresher), you might be unfamiliar with how licensed agents make their money. It’s a simple process defined in three major parts: Base Pay Commission Incentives Most people are familiar with base pay and bonuses, but commission payments are where things get tricky.  The first…

The insurance industry, and the agents that champion it, are affected by change, just like any other business. However, the changes are slow in coming. With advances in technology, most people can buy anything with their phones--on the comfort of their own couch. [caption id="attachment_12198" align="alignright" width="300"] It's a bright idea to keep your skill…

Any skill is marketable, but none more so than an expert salesman. In America today, the insurance industry is the choice for anyone looking to make a solid income, plus a little extra. But why do most people want to become an agent, and what are the pros of becoming one? Besides being one of…

So, you want to be an agent? Congrats on choosing a stable, respected career!  Becoming one is fairly simple, and the process can be completed in under a month. You just need a set of educational hours and a license under your belt, then you can start practicing on your own as an independent agent,…

There was confusion and misinformation regarding the 3-day rule for skilled nursing facility coverage. In order to get the 100 days of skilled nursing coverage from Medicare, the mandate states a beneficiary must spend at least 3 days in the hospital as an inpatient. However, doctors and hospitals can admit elderly patients on an “observation…

As an agent, time management skills have a direct impact on your performance and sales. It goes unsaid that they are necessary to excel in your industry. However, even though everyone has the same amount of hours in a day, some people are able to accomplish so much more than others. Wondering how to maximize…

Being an expert in selling insurance, understanding all the policies, what they offer and do not offer, how they can help buyers and how to deal with claims against those various policies is one thing. The other must have to sell insurance is the ability to understand your audience, know their needs and wants, and…

Although this may sound like a counterintuitive idea, many new health insurance agents just starting out are often a bit uncertain about their products. It’s a lot to learn, a lot to remember and they do not yet have the hands-on “in the trenches” experience of an agent who has been selling for years. They…

This one tip can be overlooked more in the breach than the doing, and the thing is, it can cost you business. For example, you want to market group health insurance and you make an in-person call to a business to pitch the idea. The boss, although interested, does not have the time right then…

This tip doesn’t always go over well with busy health insurance agents who don’t always have time to double back and re-connect with leads that did not want to buy. However, it is vital that you do not forget to follow up for the very simple reason that a “No,” does not always mean “never.”…

It goes without saying that selling insurance requires organization. That said, selling insurance is not always conducive to being neat and orderly, and for certain, it is not always about being able to make and keep appointments the first time they are booked. Selling insurance comes with people hanging up the phone, refusing to make…

Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, Open Enrollment, Annual Enrollment.  There are so many buzz words associated with Medicare insurance sales that it is often difficult to differentiate what it all means.  One of the most confusing things to understand as an agent, let alone as a consumer, is what the difference between AEP and OEP…

It is all about integrity, reliability and your strive for excellence. It is about being known for your approach, expertise, willingness to find what your clients needs and your handling of an insurance claim. Remember that you are laying the groundwork for positive interactions for years to come with your clients. Your clients refer others…

Gratitude is an important factor of customer service. Generally, there is a formula for expressing gratitude. According to the formula, agents need to offer gratitude at least three times – once in writing, once in person and once over the phone. It is pretty easy to do and demonstrates you appreciate your clients’ business. Offering…

One of the most competitive advantages you can have as an insurance agent is being reliable. If you say that you will do something, then keep your word. Whenever, you offer to provide something you need to do it. Even if you do not know something it is crucial to you communicate that to your…

How do your phone communication skills size up according to your clients? Closing sales for insurance agents on the phone is hard enough, but if your phone call delivery is lacking in even one aspect, your efforts could be . We at Benepath want to help ensure your phone calls are as effective as possible,…

Yes, check out what the competition is doing. Do they offer something you could improve upon? Are they leading your insurance agency in rankings? Do they sell more of policy X than you do? Find out what they are doing that makes them a leading competitor in your market space. Once you have a good…

Medicare enrollment is on the rise across the country. According to Mark Farrah Associates research, as of March 2019 there are over 22 million Americans who have at least one Medicare plan. From 2018 to 2019, the total number of participants has grown 7.4%. In addition to that, the retention rate for Medicare consumers is…