Three Signs Your Employee Benefits Broker Isn t Doing Their Job
After some deliberation, you've chosen your employee benefits plan and broker. You've given your broker a call and let them know your decision. Now, hopefully, you can quit worrying about insurance. That's your broker's job, right?
True as that may be, if you haven't chosen the right broker, you may find that employee benefits is a giant thorn in your side. How do you know when to stick it out and when to look for a new broker?
Here are three signs that your employee benefits broker isn't doing their job.
1) They do not returning phone calls in a timely manner.
When you're calling your employee benefits broker, it's usually with an important question about claims or problems you're having with the insurance company. In this case, it's vital that your broker returns your phone calls as soon as possible. If you have to wait four days to a week for your broker to get back to you with answers to your questions, it's time to start shopping around for another broker.
2) They tell you to contact the insurance company for claims problems.
Part of your broker's job is to contact the insurance company for claims problems. After all, they're the insurance experts, not you. If the first thing they do is hand you the insurance company's phone number and tell you to call the company directly for claims resolution, it should be a red flag. That's work they should be doing for you.
3) They bombard you with sales pitches for new lines of coverage.
It's understandable that an employee benefits broker would want to sell extra coverage. After all, that's part of their job. However, they shouldn't be more interested in selling you new lines of coverage than they are in servicing the business you already have with them. When you call them up, they should answer the questions you have or take the time to find the answers. They shouldn't be subjecting you to yet another sales pitch.
Good customer service is the best sales pitch an employee benefits broker can make. If you can't even get service on your current plan with them, what kind of service can you expect to get on future plans?
What to look for in a new broker
If you've noticed any of these warning signs with your current employee benefits broker, then it's time for you to find a new one. Ask potential brokers for a list of 10 to 15 current clients that have been with them for five years or more, and ask those clients about the kind of service they've experienced with the broker. If any broker can't provide you with that list, or refuses to do so, then keep looking.
Your broker should put their energy into ensuring your current employee benefits plan runs as smoothly as possible. Look for an employee benefits broker that insists you and your employees contact them with claims or questions. They should know who to contact at the insurance company to get things resolved efficiently.
Employee health benefits should not be a daily headache. Find the right broker, and you won't have to worry about insurance ever again.
About the Author: Get the right employee benefits from the start with the McNett Agency. Request a free employee benefits quote at http://grouphealthinsurancetulsa.com.
Bob McNett is president of the McNett Agency, a firm that has specialized in employee benefits for 27 years. The firm serves around 170 business clients, from two employees on up, in the state of Oklahoma and nationwide. Visit them online at http://grouphealthinsurancetulsa.com.
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
Added: March 19, 2008
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