Are You Selling Insurance or Selling a Solution?

​There are two types of insurance agents. Those who sell you what YOU think you need, and those who sell you what you TRULY need.

You have your hustlers who get out there and sell that quick life policy or home owner’s policy because that’s what their client came to them for. But do they take the time to get to know their clients and follow a well thought-out customer engagement model? An engagement model that steps them out of the insurance agent role and into the caring and trusted advisor role?

Let’s face it, getting that next policy on the books is good for your bottom line, and if you’ve got 300 clients, then what’s selling just another policy? Or wait? Is that really who you are? What your business is about? Just selling insurance to pay the bills, and get that free trip the carrier promised you? Or is it more? Are you the type of insurance agent who wants to be remembered for helping others? The type of individual who leaves behind a legacy? The type of professional who went above and beyond to insure his/her clients were getting EXACTLY what they needed?

If you’re following that customer engagement model and talking to your clients about their lives, you’re learning about them and where they need your insight and advice. They’re coming to you for your knowledge and expertise. If they weren’t, they’d just buy their insurance online and forgo the whole insurance agent altogether. Right?

Example:

Your client wants to purchase a life insurance policy, but is also turning 65 later this year, and will likely need some type of supplemental insurance once he’s retired and enrolled in Medicare. If you’re asking the client his age when you’re running a quote for his life policy, the next step in your mind should be to discuss his health insurance needs after reviewing life insurance options. That’s not rocket science. From there you can dive deeper into your client’s needs and mention long-term care. If he’s planning on retiring at age 65 and enrolling in Medicare, long-term care isn’t covered by Medicare unless he requires skilled services or rehabilitative care. Long-term Care costs are staggering. Nursing home facilities command a whopping $82,125/year for a just semi-private room.

It takes a matter of minutes to open up the doors for discussion when you’re speaking to a client or a prospect. A quick policy on the books is great for your bank account, but satisfied clients who refer your services because you’ve gone above and beyond to help them with a complete solution? Legacy status.

Selling your clients insurance or a solution? It all lies in your hands.

By Carolyn Portanova