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Monday, May 14. 2007
About the same time I'm tapping my keys here, my cousin from Glendale is taking his exam for a state insurance license. He had been taking several courses involving real estate and car insurance, but basically he doesn't have a degree. Insurance companies favor those who are college graduates generally. But my cousin Denise is out to become a prestigious underwriter, so taking several university courses at a time was convenient for her. Next up, she would also visit the SEC office for her SEC license. It's all part a "would-be insurance broker's day."
Sunday, May 13. 2007
Some people ask whether a broker is different from an agent. Basically, they do almost the same tasks, except an agent sells policies for a single company and a broker negotiates them for several company one at a time. Also, there are many avenues to being an insurance broker: life, liability, property, and health. These cover car, health, college education, real estate, and other property insurance. As soon as Denise gets her broker license, she can gain more experience and clientèle in the business. Eventually, she can go on to become an underwriter.
Saturday, May 12. 2007
An underwriter's job is stressful, that's why he belongs to the top of the insurance company's hierarchy. An underwriter assesses the risks involved in a insurance application after the agents have finished gathering data for it. The underwriter follows critical points to find out whether a car insurance applicant, for instance, is a good investment. The criteria would have to depend on the applicant's driving record, his zip code, the status of the car he is driving, and even his age.
Thursday, April 26. 2007
There is so much fuss involved in getting oneself and one's properties insured. I mean, you go from broker to broker, listing down one advice after another, tediously seeking for cheap insurance quotes with all the number crunching laid on your back. But when you hit the right deal, things can get back to normal. It just takes a damned long time and you promise yourself the search should be worth it. My tip: Find a broker that's been around for quite a time and has no history of customer complaints.
Wednesday, April 25. 2007
Of course, this is just seeing the tiny algae in a continent of coral reefs. I've collected and compared quotes because I thought I could do the job myself. I found an honest enough broker in Mostchoice.com, but I don't recommend it to everyone, since every one of us has different insurance needs. My take: it has a nice collection of articles about insurance which you can browse and learn from. It also gives you a quick quote form where you just input some data about the business and the insurance quote it would most likely come up with.
Tuesday, April 24. 2007
Mostchoice.com is for people looking to insure their businesses. So it only works for people who are setting up or have already set up their businesses in any US state. But if quotes on all types of insurance is what you're looking for, the list is just as endless. Sure, you could look elsewhere, but as I've mentioned, all the backbreaking effort should result in a fair enough insurance quote so you don't feel abused. Professional help from the experts can do the trick, though, so don't scrimp on time and money. It could save you a bundle in the end.
Sunday, April 15. 2007
 Choosing an agent or broker is very important when you are considering to buy life insurance. You need someone that can help you because choosing a life insurance is very complicated and confusing. Your broker plays the key role to buy a good life insurance for you. What are the characteristics of a life insurance agent that you should be looking for? First, he should be able to understand your financial situation, including your attitudes about risk, your income and estate tax “brackets,” and your other financial assets and obligations, as well as your personal situation. Second, he should be able to explain the issues, options, and planned use of life insurance in your financial program in the simplest way that you can comprehend.
Also, he should not pressure you to come up with a decision until you’re ready and convinced that you are doing what is best for you. He must be prepared to review with you periodically whether the insurance continues to be suitable for your needs and circumstances. Finally, he should be licensed by your state insurance department. If you're unsuccessful, you may ask your lawyer, accountant, friends, relatives, and business associates for the names of insurance agents or brokers with an excellent reputation.
Monday, April 9. 2007
Peter values his my car so much. It was his first car actually, so he takes care of it. He always makes sure that there's no dust on it. He considers it as his baby. Well, I cannot blame him because he worked hard to purchase that Mercedes sports car. It took him five years before he could buy his dream car. Even if we always tell him to get a car loan, he refuses because according to him, he wants his dream car to be acquired using his own money. I went with him when he bought that car last year. I could see in his face the happiness he's feeling when the salesman handed him the key as he was trembling.
Because he loves that car so much, he took my advice to get an insurance for his car. I immediately gave him the contact number of my insurance broker who is very efficient and trusted. After that I called my agent and informed him that one of my friends will be calling him about his car. I asked him to help my friend get the best deal in their company, which he agreed. After two weeks, it was all approved. His Mercedez sports car is insured already. Now, he can drive to anywhere without fear of what might happen to his car.
Thursday, April 5. 2007
I used to see Gerard as a gasoline boy in gas station near my place. He was one of the most generous staff who always help me with my car. Although, I don't know him personally, I know that he came from a middle class family. He needs to work as a part timer in the gasoline station while studying. Everytime, I see him, I always remember what I have gone through.
After the conference that I attended in Germany, I was back in town to finish the remaining paperworks in the office. On my way there, I stopped at the gasoline station and filled in the tank. I was expecting Gerard to assist me but he's not. I asked the other gasoline boy but he cannot provide me the answer. One year had passed, I had a phone call from an insurance agent. He wants to set up an appointment with me.
During the meeting, I was shocked to see that the agent was Gerard. He was wearing a coat with a tie holding an brief case. He greeted me and he smiled. He told me that he applied for this job to help his family. He told me that he was so sorry because he wasn't able to inform me of his resignation. Before the meeting ends, he said that he's very thankful because I've been generous to him. Later after our conversation, he waived at me before riding his new Porsche Cayman.
Sunday, April 1. 2007
Have you had a bad experience dealing with an insurance broker? I have had one and I won't forget that. I was so pissed off after our conversation. I think that was Friday afternoon when he called me that he's going to present something about their insurance company. According to him, they have this certain promo that new members can avail upon registration. In short, I allowed him to enter the house and do his sales talk. He mentioned that this latest perk is a 20% discount for the first month. I felt that it's not that big but at least, there's something that I can save. I studied everything written on the promo detail that he gave me. I told him that I would sign the application form the following day because I have an important thing to finish. I even asked him to come back on Friday for the payment and other documents that I need to sign.
During the weekend, I surfed the internet to search on the latest movie of actress Sandra Bullock. But then my mind was fully-occupied with the "too good to be true" offer, so what I did was I got the promo detail and looked for the company's website. Then, I found out that it's not actually 20% discount, but 40% instead. I just wanted to kill that agent with my bare hands. What is he going to do with the remaining 20%?! When he came back by Monday, I gave him the form without any signature. I told him not to do that again because I will report him to the main office and I would make sure that he would be fired.
Saturday, March 31. 2007
I don't know with myself but I have this manner that whenever I am in an occasion or event, I am always tempted to look for someone's attire. And what makes it nastry is that I really look on the person from head to foot. Imagine what will be that person's reaction if he will know that I am scrutinizing his/her outfit. Funny it may seem, many people will conclude that a person wearing pressed suits with necktie is an insurance broker. Yes, and one proof of that is me. I was in a store to buy my ingredients for my favorite dessert, Chocolate Merengue Cookies and there was this man asking me if I was an insurance agent. Instead of becoming angry with what he asked, I just smiled and passed.
Some people might get mad when they experienced what I have did. But, nope, I will not buy that because I know how hard to be an insurance broker. I have many friends working as agents for different insurance agencies. I have heard their stories of failure and success and I must say, that job is not easy. It takes a lot of patience, perseverance and luck before you can reach the top, but once you've reach, you will not want to go down. One thing that I have realized from that experience is to never wear a suit matched with a tie when you're going to the store if you're not a real insurance broker.
Thursday, March 29. 2007
Being an insurance broker is easy enough; you can print your name and put "Insurance Broker" at the bottom and you're done. But what makes this career challenging is not wearing pressed suits or getting strangled in necktie knots. It's also not meeting clients and setting up appointments. You can do that in parties and even in groceries. It is finding the right deal for your client that makes the job challenging and satisfying.
As an insurance broker, your client assumes that you know the market. They also entrust you to make correct judgements and give them an offer that they cannot refuse. Here's a three-step plan to finding the best deals around: interview, research, and match. These may be the core values and procedure of a brokerage career.
Interview your clients; know their investment plans. If you know what they intend to do with the property or insurance they want to buy, you would be able to find them the best matches. More importantly, know what they can afford. A good broker minimizes the risk of his clients running into debt. Research the properties or insurance businesses that match your clients' specifications. Lower your list of prospective purchases to the best deals to provide your clients with options. Networking skills is very important in this phase. Tap your friends in real estate development or big insurance corporations; they might know of a property or business that you missed. Even if you present them with options, direct their interest to the property which you think best suits their needs and finances. They hired you to give advice so mind that you give them a sound one. I think that with these simple steps, you are well on your way to becoming a top broker.
Monday, March 26. 2007
When looking to purchase new homes or commercial land properties, most buyers look for a broker. But not just any broker because these buyers are smart and careful. After all, they are letting you, as a broker, deal with their hard-earned money. It is therefore important to come up with a clean record and successful deals. But how do you become the broker who closes the deals? Good brokers are updated about economic trends, market trends, and property values.
As a broker, it is your duty to match sellers and buyers with compatible needs so they can complement and help each other. Clearly, a broker for real estate works on both sides of the match up. They study the buyers' needs and survey the extent of the properties for sale. A good and experienced broker is also able to foresee future trends based on his current observations. By being informed, you can give both the sellers and buyers valuable information to help them come up with informed choices.
Although most people think that brokers' only interest is making sales, this is not true. Good brokers do not offer mismatched deals to his clients. The work is to find the best deals possible for their seller clients and the prospective buyers. They do this because they value their good name and reputation. Also, this is a good way to build solid client networks. To summarize, good brokers are masters of their field; they take care of their clients and they do get big profits.
Thursday, March 22. 2007
 Opening a broker account is one way to manage investments. But first, there is the crucial process of selecting a broker firm to tie up with. Before making any decision, it is important to do a little homework and research about the different broker firms accessible to you. The internet provides a large selection of brokers and company reviews. Select a broker firm based on reputation, success stories, and most of all referrals from their past clients. But still, even when you have chosen a broker firm, your deal with them does not end there. The first rule of dealing with brokers is not to put your entire trust in your broker. Most people who do this find themselves with debts and non-profitable personal investments.
A guide in judging the professionalism and expertise of your broker? Make your initial meeting as a rating system. If he inquires about your financial situation, investment goals, reasons for getting a broker, and other relevant information prior to sale or offer of any investments, chances are, he's a good broker. But a broker who immediately offers propositions without asking about your intentions should raise the red flag. Also, a sure step is to review all present and past agreements with your broker. Make it a point to put everything into writing. Refrain from signing anything until you have understood the full implications and effects of the action or deal proposed by the contract. It is important to ask your broker for copies of deals you have made through him. Lastly, make it understood that all final decisions regarding investments and deals must be from you and that he is only allowed to offer advice. Do this, and I'm sure you'll put your money and investments to good use.
Saturday, March 17. 2007
 A friend asked me once if I wanted to try working as an insurance broker. Ruefully, I told him, no, and that I didn't have the right education. He laughed and told me that, yes, a college education is an advantage but not really necessary. He told me he's an undergraduate himself. Since then, I have thought brokerage would make a perfect career for people who don't have college education or previous sales training. This is also perfect for people who want a career change but don't want to spend another four years of study to qualify for a new job. It turns out that insurance broker candidates must take and pass an exam and undergo training whether they are college grads or not; in effect, everybody starts on the same level.
Usually, brokers work as independent contractors, matching deals between prospective home buyers and mortgage lenders. A broker can work at home and control his work hours. This eliminates the need to dress up, drive, or commute, thereby effectively reducing expenses. Plus, brokers need not be constrained by strict 9-to-5 jobs. Opportunities to be employees are also available for brokers if they want to affiliate themselves with large brokerage firms. The work makes for a flexible load, but there is also a downside. Discipline and professionalism are keys to successful brokerage. Emails and calls to clients must be returned faithfully before ending each work day. Generous compensation usually awaits diligent, disciplined, and professional brokers. My friend even told me that repeat clients are not unusual since people prefer to entrust their personal business investment deals to brokers they trust.
Saturday, February 24. 2007
 Every policyholder can split up the policy's sum assured during the term of the policy. If a policyholder takes a policy with a sum assured of Rs 2,00,000, he can split the policy into two Rs 1,00,000 policies or four Rs 50,000 policies. The policyholder can assign the policy for lesser amount or at sometimes if he feels that he cannot pay the premium. He can then split up the policy and surrender it or make it paid up and thereby pay less premium for the reduced sum assured. It is much better not to surrender the policy but to make it a paid up policy.
Be careful while surrendering the policy as nothing is payable to the insured if you surrender a policy within three years. You get more benefit by making a policy paid up compared to surrendering it. The only difference is that if it is made, paid up the money is given after the policy term is over.
Insurance companies usually do not permit alterations in the policy document- the evidence of contract within the first year from the commencement of the policy. It is a rule, unless both the parties to the contract agree - resulting in premium lower rates.
Friday, February 9. 2007
Do you ever wonder how those insurance brokers that you get to talk to almost everyday become what they are? Are you envious of how luxurious they look when they meet with you, or how much they earn for every transaction that you do with them? Have you ever dreamed of becoming an insurance broker?
Just like any other career, being an insurance broker requires a basic education. Most of them have at least a high school diploma. But because the insurance industry is a very competitive world, many agents and brokers have post-secondary education. Some agents and brokers learn the basics on the job before taking the courses and examinations required by an insurance firm, while others take related courses or post-secondary programs before they are hired. There are schools that offer intensive short courses that qualify graduates to become licensed insurance brokers.
When it comes to moving on to practice, summer employment is a good way to gain practical experience. Insurance firms often interview students on college and university campuses, or you can set up your own appointments to discuss opportunities with local insurance company managers.
In the course of experience, successful insurance agents and brokers may move into supervisory and management positions, or head office jobs in administration, training, underwriting, sales promotion or branch management, which also means an increase in salary.
Sunday, February 4. 2007
Insurance brokerage has been one of the most well-rewarded careers in the industry. Most small businesses prefer to get group health insurance from an insurance broker for their employees. Brokers help their clients to minimize financial risk through the best insurance deal. And for every close transaction with the client, there is a sparkling reward that add to the broker's pot of gold.
Whether you are an insurance broker or an aspiring broker settling in British Columbia, the Institute of Brokers Association of British Columbia (IBABC) can help you fulfill your duty as a professional insurance broker. IBABC serves both the brokers and public. Among the helpful offers of IBABC to insurance brokers include education on general insurance licensing requirements; licensing courses; Continuing Education (CE) programs; and others. IBABC guarantees that high-quality of services are given to the public through proper education, support, professional conduct, and community participation.
IBABC provides an online education, too. IBABC ensures that they equip the brokers with all the knowledge they need in this field. So, whether a broker or not, you can count on the services of IBABC.
Saturday, January 13. 2007
 A few years back I decided to get an insurance policy for my daughter. As I searched through the net, I got really confused because of the hundreds of insurance companies that offer different types of insurance. My internet shopping for a good insurance policy did not help at all but rather added to my agony. I never really thought of asking advice from an insurance broker, until a friend introduced me to one.
An insurance broker is someone who can give you helpful advice on finding the perfect insurance policy that can suit to your needs. Whether you are searching for the right dental or health insurance, the insurance broker is there to assist you. This is their primary function. When you get the help of an insurance broker it is more likely that you find a good insurance in less effort and cost effective manner. It may be also be helpful for an insurance broker to educate you regarding the latest insurance trend such as rates or coverage charges. This way, it will make you better informed and therefore prevent you from making mishaps when dealing with your insurance. An insurance broker has to be there throughout the choosing process and during the time when you need to get claims against your policy.
Monday, January 1. 2007
One of the responsibilities of insurance brokers is to make sure that their services are made available to the client. Thus, the brokers are often referred to as a sales agent because they provide a variety of services or products that would help resolve the case of the client. Of course, in order to do this, insurance brokers need a change of environment, thus brokers are often found outdoors dealing with clients.
On the other hand, even if some brokers spend most of their time outside their offices, some can be found in their own home or small offices, communicating online with clients and contact persons involved in the case. If you still haven't grasped the idea that the insurance brokers are leading quite tough jobs, then perhaps you might want to look at their schedule. Somehow we get the impression that insurance brokers are pretty flexible with their time, since they are normally out of the office.
But, their evenings and weekends are compromised because those are usually the periods when they could best negotiate with clients. Some brokers actually log in 60 hours of work per week or more. Aside from negotiations, insurance brokers are kept busy with paperwork and presentations to prospects.
Thursday, December 21. 2006
Insurance brokers work, well, like any type of other brokers. Basically, they are service-oriented persons whom you consult when you are looking into getting an insurance policy. Sometimes, you don't even have to look for them because they will find you. They are very keen in giving people the insurance they need because, aside from earning commission, but also because they will be able to give individuals, families, or groups a very ideal chance for investment.
Insurance brokers are very welcoming and polite. They need these traits to succeed in the job. They are all highly personable and very intuitive. Most of the successful insurance brokers have these characteristics innately that is why they don't find it hard to get to the top. Insurance brokers will give its clients the best deal out there. For their clients, they will search and negotiate with insurance companies for a viable deal that is worth your money. They do all the paper work, all you have to do is read and sign. They are the group of people which are there to help you serve you the best insurance there is.
http://www.employment-opportunity-services.com
Sunday, November 5. 2006
 When insurance plans were still unpopular commodities, insurance companies had a hard time distributing their products. However, the changes in the demand for insurances prompted professionals to make a big deal out of insurance distributing. Thus, insurance brokers came into the picture.
Basically, insurance brokers provide insurance goods in all aspects. Instead of engaging in some tedious transactions, clients are provided with the best opportunity to acquire an insurance product without the usual worries. Best of all, helpful insurance brokers are everywhere and always ready to serve.
Thursday, November 2. 2006
 When you buy a car, the basic thing to do first, other than test-drive it is to get a car insurance. Try finding an insurance broker first. They work independently from insurance companies so you are sure that they are working to get the best benefits for you not for the profit of any insurance company. Although they work with insurance companies, it is only to negotiate deals for you. Car insurance brokers will get you the best offers and you decide from the quotes they give you. You only have to give them the model and make of your car, your age, and driving records and the rest will be done by car insurance brokers.
Friday, October 20. 2006
 An insurance broker will help you get the rates that you never thought were there. They are individuals who work to find you the best possible deal with insurance companies. They will research your background, credit history and all the requirements you need to get insured. Insurance brokers will do the paper work, and negotiate a rate that will best suit your budget and lifestyle. They will give you a range of quotes to choose from. Insurance brokers will advise you on what to choose but you have the last say. If you have made your decision, then they will create a policy for you. You pay the insurance broker and the policy will start right away.
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