Convergent Insurance

What Google can’t do!

adam — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 21:05:57 +0000

When you look for health insurance, do you Google it? Well, that may be great for some things, but there’s a lot of things Google can’t do.

If you search for ‘health insurance’, a list comes up of links to big name insurance companies. So… you start clicking on links, checking things out, thinking that you’re ‘doing your homework.’

Doing your homework is much more than that! Google doesn’t tell you which company will be easier for the underwriting (the part where you submit your medical history for review.) Different insurance carriers have different criteria or flags based on medical history that will put clients in different premium categories, or even be denied. If you have a particular medical condition, applying with one carrier over another will be easier just based on the underwriting procedures alone. Only your insurance agent knows these kinds of details that will make it easy for you. Google can’t do that!

And let’s say… you call to get information from a big name insurance company. They send you a packet and follow-up over the phone. What they don’t do is look at your whole family, personal and business situation together. And if you sign up for an individual health plan, you’ve just joined the ranks of being just another number. Anytime you have an issue or question you call the customer service line. Ever been frustrated by an automated customer service line? (Don’t get me started, that’s why I hate insurance companies.) An insurance agent can give you the personal service you deserve.

An agent can do what Google can’t! Who’s your agent?

“I’m young and healthy, why do I need health insurance?”

adam — Tue, 11 May 2010 14:41:55 +0000

Mark was a young local business owner of several gyms and fitness facilities. He’s an aggressive outgoing guy, really on top of his game, both physically and financially. On the weekends, he loved to play softball. And because he was in his early thirties, and a really fit guy, he didn’t have health insurance. He figured, “I never go to the doctor, so why should I have it?” Well, one fateful day at the ball field he dove for a catch and broke his leg. Actually… he broke his leg REALLY bad! And because he had no health insurance, the cost of the emergency room visit, surgery, doctor bills, hospital bills, rehab therapy and prescriptions was $25-$30k. To make it worse, since he was a trainer, he also couldn’t work during his recovery, so he lost his income as well. The whole thing cost him an estimated $45k-$50k and almost made him file for bankruptcy. He had to move in with his mom until he was financially able to get back on his feet.

Don’t do what Mark did! Find an agent and:

1- Get health insurance. A simple $70/month health policy would have saved him a lot of money, stress and trauma.

2- Find out how it correlates to your workers compensation policy. If you’re a business owner you need to be completely covered under health insurance, if you’re excluded on workers comp.

It’s a win-win since there’s no extra cost and a lot of added benefit of going through an agent. If you have your agent handle all your insurance (business, health, auto, home) they can oversee the big picture of your life. A big mistake a lot of people make is piecing out their insurance policies to different agents and then the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing. A relationship with your agent is key.

Who’s your agent? If you can’t answer that question then call me and I can help!

Health Insurance: What you don’t know can cost you.

adam — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:02:40 +0000

With the new health care bill legislation, there’s a lot of information out there and it’s very very complicated! If you ever needed a good agent to navigate the complex and ever-changing sea of health insurance, it’s now! Expertise from an independent agent can be priceless and because they are independent, you’ll be assured they’ll have your best interest in mind. Agents know insurance companies are loyal to their shareholders and do not attempt to give you (a small business or individual) the best product for the price if their product takes big rate increase. An independent agent has the ability to ‘shop you’ with other carriers if there is a problem with your existing company. Again, right now ALL insurance carriers are cutting cost and changing the way the game is played. And they are ALL attempting to pay less claims and find ways to exclude certain conditions or reject the more riskier clients. The key for you to is to know your agent NOT your company. Whether you choose me as your agent or you have a strong family or long-term relationship with an agent, I strongly encourage you find someone that IS an expert and that you can trust. I support small business owners and get to know them and their circumstances. My client tells me how much more personal care and service they receive since I have a vested interest in finding them the right coverage they need and deserve.