In our daily lives, we can find ourselves overwhelmed by so much information and so many sources that seem to tell us the same thing in different words. For those who are looking to get an insurance policy through a reliable and professional service, the terms used and even the relevance of using an Insurance Agent may be confusing.
In today’s blog, we break down in detail what an insurance agent is and why it is so important to have one who is your best ally, your personal advisor.
What is an Insurance Agent?
An insurance agent is a physically independent person, licensed in the State in which they work. Its function is to connect or mediate between the insurer (or insurers) and consumers who need to purchase an insurance policy.
Now, a good Insurance Agent is actually an Insurance Advisor.
Why is it important to have an Insurance Agent?
We can explain four fundamental reasons:
1. Professional Guarantee
The knowledge and training that an insurance agent possesses are essential to identify the needs of the consumer and being able to offer them the options that best suit their needs. Let’s keep in mind that insurance is not a standard product.
Insurance is a tailored suit for each person and an agent has to be the best tailor for you.
2. Customer Service
Of course, the moment of choosing the right insurance plan, and the application itself, require assistance.
However, what happens when changes occur? During the life of the policy, the insured may go through claims processes, adjustments to their policy due to changes in their qualifying conditions, selection of providers, among many other unforeseen events and situations that they may be unaware of, and put their coverage at risk.
An agent plays a critical role in all of these tracking situations. It is the best support for you as an insured at all times.
3. Advisory
When an insurance agent knows your needs, they become an advisor. It remains aware of any detail that may harm or improve your coverage and creates a committed relationship with you. Basically, we are available to guide you whenever you need it.
A good insurance advisor seeks to build customer loyalty.
4. Cost-effectiveness
Many times people believe that choosing a good policy is opting for the most expensive one or that a cheap one is worse, which is totally false. In health insurance costs, for example, there are five factors that affect costs: Premium, Copay, Deductible, Coinsurance and Out-of-Pocket Expenses (see definitions below at the end).
These concepts mean money for you, therefore, you must carefully evaluate and compare each one of them in the different plans so that your coverage is what you need and is also the most economically profitable, within your particular health condition.
What role does an agent play in the health insurance market or Obamacare?
Health Marketplace insurance offers an Advance Premium Tax Credit (APTC), which depends on income and other qualifying conditions. The calculation of income and its relationship with the tax credit is usually a matter of concern and unawareness for many people. However, being the domain of insurance agents, we help you understand and calculate it properly.
The health market offers a very wide variety of plans, and it is cumbersome for people to be able to differentiate the benefits of each one. Insurance agents are trained in the knowledge of each plan prior to each enrollment period. We know how to consider not only tax credit savings but also cost-sharing reductions (CSR) and other plan determinants like provider network and further details about your benefits.
It is very important that you know that you do NOT pay extra for the assistance of an insurance agent and you will NOT pay anything to enroll in the health market with the help of an insurance agent.
Any extra recommendations?
Do not share personal information with unknown people who contact you through calls by phone or by any other means. Avoid being part of fraudulent actions that put your coverage at risk.
Glossary of terms:
Premium: The amount you pay for your health insurance each month. Some health market plans have a zero premium cost because you get 100% of the tax credit or subsidy.
Copay: A fixed amount ($20, for example) that You pay for a covered health care service after you have paid your deductible.
Deductible: The amount you pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan begins to pay. With a $2,000 deductible, for example, you pay the first $2,000 of covered services.
Coinsurance: The percentage of the costs of a covered health care service that you pay (20%, for example) after you have paid your deductible.
Out-of-Pocket Maximum/Limit: The maximum amount you have to pay for covered services in a plan year. After spending this amount on deductibles, copays, and coinsurance for in-network care and services, your health plan pays 100% of the costs of covered benefits.