National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals Iowa Chapter

Dramatic changes in the insurance marketplace make the professional insurance advisor's role increasingly important to individuals and businesses in finding cost-saving measures and coverage options. They provide and service insurance products while educating and advising you on how to manage risk and make informed insurance choices. Many career insurance advisors have completed a sequence of college level courses leading to a professional designation, such as

    Registered Health Underwriter (RHU),
    Health Insurance Associate (HIA),
    Registered Employee Benefits Consultant (REBC),
    Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), or
    Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU).

Advisors are highly trained insurance professionals who will guide you through the complex task of choosing appropriate coverage at an affordable cost and are dedicated to serving the long-term interests of consumers.

Insurance advisors have strong financial and professional incentives to give their clients a lifetime of quality products and service. Advisors seldom are salaried employees of the insurance companies they represent. Usually they are independent agents who represent many companies. Most advisors are compensated on a commission basis - a percentage of the premiums you pay your insurance company. Others are compensated on a fee basis directly from employers. In each case, the advisor's loyalty and compensation rests with you, the consumer. Regardless of the method of compensation, advisors have strong incentives to place consumers with strong, financially stable carriers and provide superior service on an ongoing basis.

An advisor will guide you through the complex task of choosing appropriate coverage at an affordable cost. The following is what you should expect from a professional insurance agent. Use this checklist to evaluate your current advisor. Your professional insurance advisor should:

        Work with you to evaluate your needs for insurance coverage.
        Explain the details of different insurance plans.
        Make specific recommendations and tailor plans to suit your special needs and budgets.
        Review your plans periodically to update coverage and limit costs.
        Serve as your advocate and advisor in dealing with insurance companies, doctors and hospitals, and government agencies involving claims, services and regulations.
        Help you as a business owner communicate benefits packages to employees and demonstrate how various provisions can complement personal and government financial plans.

Buying health insurance benefits is different than buying books and music. Benefits are complex and they are critically important. Health care coverage protects both a family's health and its finances. Purchase the wrong book, and you're out a few dollars. Purchase the wrong health care coverage, and the consequences are far more significant. Remember, if you buy health insurance online, there may be no advisor to explain benefits, no advocate if problems arise and no counselor to help you make the right coverage choices.

Insurance advisors are licensed and regulated by state insurance departments. Prospective advisors receive training regarding insurance and applicable laws before taking a qualifying exam for licensing. The majority of states now require continuing education to maintain license status. Many career insurance advisors belong to the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU), which offers seminars, workshops, courses and other educational forums to ensure members meet the highest standards of client service. NAHU also requires members to subscribe to a strict professional code of ethics.