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How Agents and Brokers are Paid for Selling Policies
By Dr. David Edward Marcinko; MBA, CMP™
By Hope Rachel Hetico; RN, MHA, CMP™
[ME-P Publisher-in-Chief and Managing Editor]
The recent AIG, and related insurance debacles, have prompted several of our cost-conscience doctor clients to rethink insurance agent sales commissions and related perks. We trust this brief review is helpful to all concerned.
Life insurance company agents
Life insurance agents are appointed by the insurer with the authorization to solicit and deliver contracts of insurance. The agent’s power under life insurance is more limited than that of a property and casualty agent because an agent cannot bind a life insurance carrier to an individual risk, as opposed to a property and casualty agent who can bind his or her insurance company.
Agent Commissions
Agents are compensated primarily on a commission basis from the insurance company they represent. Compensation is higher for the first year a policy is in force. Thereafter, the agent may receive compensation for renewal—a percentage of the annual premiums—and much smaller compensation during subsequent years. If the agent achieves a certain level of production, the agent may receive additional bonuses or other types of compensation. Think: Million Dollar Round Table; or Million Dollar Club Producer.
Commission Rates
Commissions for agents typically run 50% to 55% on cash value products and 40% on term products. Agents’ commissions generally are lower than brokers because they are housed by the insurer, and therefore most of the agents’ expenses are reimbursed or paid by the insurance company.
The Fringe Benefits
The agent also receives fringe benefits from the company, such as health insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, a retirement plan, or a cafeteria-type plan. Usually, agents must maintain a specified level of first-year commissions in order to continue employment with the company.
Life Insurance Brokers
A broker represents the client directly and can show illustrations from many different companies because theoretically there is no allegiance to any one particular company.
Dual Agent-Managers
Some brokers who may act both as general agents and agency managers (individuals who oversee an office of insurance representatives) usually earn commissions as stated above and overrides on first-year premiums to as much as 40%. There is a separate scale on renewals from the sales staff. These overrides are in addition to basic commissions earned either through the broker selling a product on his or her own or as manager of the office. In addition, brokers may earn subsidies for their office and production bonuses.
Assessment
One advantage that life insurance agents have is that some direct writing companies employ only agents to represent them and sell their products. A broker may not have access to sell certain lines of companies that an agent does.
Disclaimer: Both contributors are former licensed insurance agents and financial advisors.
Conclusion
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Speaker: If you need a moderator or speaker for an upcoming event, Dr. David E. Marcinko; MBA – Publisher-in-Chief of the Medical Executive-Post – is available for seminar or speaking engagements. Contact: MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com
OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:
- PRACTICES: www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com
- HOSPITALS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781466558731
- CLINICS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439879900
- ADVISORS: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org
- FINANCE: Financial Planning for Physicians and Advisors
- INSURANCE: Risk Management and Insurance Strategies for Physicians and Advisors
- Dictionary of Health Economics and Finance
- Dictionary of Health Information Technology and Security
- Dictionary of Health Insurance and Managed Care
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