Health Insurance Agent

By: EconomyWatch Content   Date: 8 February 2010

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Although comparison shopping done with sufficient knowledge is considered the best option, acquiring knowledge about an industry needs to be simplified when there are time constraints. Health insurance is one such industry, where acquiring knowledge requires a lot of time and research. Unfortunately, not many have the facility of free time to invest in such learning. For such people, a health insurance agent or broker is the best source of information.

A health insurance agent is similar to any other broker across the industries. These agents maintain an inventory of attractive insurance plans. Their work process is based on requirement mapping, where they understand the existing situation and needs, and identification of the right health insurance plans. They earn commission from the insurers.

Things to Consider When Looking for a Health Insurance Agent

Governments around the world have made it compulsory for the health insurance agents to acquire a license. Therefore, before you share your requirements, check the validity of their insurance license.

Also, ensure that the agent is not involved in surrogate marketing of a particular brand. In doing so, they limit your options and push a particular health insurance plan that might not be the best for your requirements.

Inquire about their network and ask for referrals. Talk to the people who have used their services and evaluate their professionalism and efficiency. Also, check the number of products or brands they are associated with. The best agents have a wide network and possess enough business insight to suggest insurance plans impromptu.

There are times, although rare, when heath insurance agents indulge in mark ups.

To avoid such cases, check the websites for the real prices and call the insurer’s customer services as well. You do not want to be paying more than the market price unknowingly. Also, do not write the check or make any payments addressed to the agent.

Remember than rather than mark ups, insurance agents, through their network and business arrangements, can offer discounts. Therefore, inquire about the available discounts and compare the discounts across a few health insurance agents. Stick with the one that offers more convincing discounts.


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