Proactive vs. Reactive

Too often over the last few months, I've met with people who have been "OK" dealing with their current broker. I always start off each meeting by asking "Tell me about your renewal process," and too often do I hear that the broker waits until the last minute to give a quote or even go out to market for renewal. The broker, of course receives such a high percentage increase from the carriers, that they are afraid to tell their client, until it's the last minute and the client has no other choice but to agree.

The brokers' I have just described, and there are many of them are the REACTIVE type. A reactive broker waits until the last minute - they are stagnant in their service and don't respond to clients unless the client reaches out to them (sometimes the client has to "light a fire" before they actually respond)... I don't know about you, but if I'm paying someone a commission, I want excellent service and no that my broker is going to bat for me and trying his/her hardest to get the best rate possible, especially in this economy.

My number one goal is to be as proactive as possible. If I'm proactive, then I can guarantee my clients the lowest rates possible because I manage the process throughout the year, rather than having the process manage me during renewal time.

Proactive (descriptive of any event or stimulus or process that has an effect on events or stimuli or processes that occur subsequently) "proactive inhibition"; "proactive interference"
(of a policy or person or action) controlling a situation by causing something to happen rather than waiting to respond to it after it happens)

Reactivity is a phenomenon that occurs when individuals alter their performance or behavior due to the awareness that they are being observed. The change may be positive or negative, and depends on the situation.

Would you rather have a Proactive Broker or a Reactive Broker?

Senate Will Pass Health Care Bill by Christmas, Obama Says...

Turn on the TV, open up the morning paper... Healthcare talk is everywhere.

President Obama is confident the Senate will pass its comprehensive health care bill before Christmas, he said in an interview taped for Sunday's edition of "60 Minutes".

Healthcare talk has been a topic for the last few decades. Former First Lady, Hillary Clinton tried unsuccessfully to pass a bill in President Clinton's first term.

"I think that when we look back after I signed this bill, people are going to acknowledge that not only was this the most important piece of domestic legislation since at least social security, but it also tackled the biggest problem that we had in terms of our long-term fiscal well-being," the president said.

"Seven Presidents have tried to reform a health care system that everyone acknowledges is broken," he continued. "Seven Presidents have failed up until this point. We are now that close to having a bill that does all the things that I said and most experts said needed to be done when we started this process."

The Democrats may have to give up the public option piece of the bill and the Republicans will sure have to compromise as well... but eventually, it seems the President may get his wish.

What are your thoughts on the "Healthcare Reform Topic? Do you think healthcare in America needs a makeover?

Welcome to Insurosity...

The transition from headhunting to insurance took place 18 months ago... It was a slow transition and one that just sort of happened by accident. The job industry was at it's worst - I started recruiting in the height of the bubble and did not know how to react to a shrinking, almost nonexistent world of recruiting.

AFLAC came to my office in May 2008 to offer "New Benefits at NO Cost to My Company"... After hearing the 15 minute presentation, I knew I had to get in on it. With the state of NY only offering $170/week for Disability, I knew that there was a HUGE need in the "Concrete Jungle" for supplemental disability. I had permission from my boss to work with AFLAC a few days a week, but after a few months I went from Rookie to Top 3 Associate in the state. I was setting appointment after appointment and turning appointments into clients. After 6 months of two jobs, I realized it was no longer fair to either employer to not give 100%.

I chose AFLAC and in February of 2009, took the leap and haven't looked back since. I realized that AFLAC was only the start... my clients began to ask for Group Health Insurance, and then General Liability. My policyholders started asking me for Auto, Home, and Life...

The President and 3rd Generation Sterling of Sterling and Sterling - a very reputable and prominent brokerage on Long Island - asked to meet with me one evening this summer and that's when I "culminated the beginning" of my insurance career.

While I appreciate everything I learned from the recruiting industry - I know that the Insurance industry is where I belong.

This blog is for anyone interested in the ever changing world of Insurance Rules, Regulations, and Current Events. New laws and legislation are being passed almost every day. I will keep my readers up to date with meetings I run, people I meet, new Insurance products, policies, laws, etc.

It is my hope that blogging I will not only teach, but through my postings, I will also learn. Enjoy Insurosity!