Do you only speak to your insurance broker once a year around renewal time? Have you been on the same insurance plan for years? Has your broker given you any updates on the insurance space since COVID-19 leaving you wondering if they have been keeping up with the changes?
Partnering with the right benefits broker might be one of the most important (and often overlooked) investments you can make for your business. Benefit’s brokers play a critical role as your partner and advisor in designing and selecting a benefits plan that works for your business. Having competitive benefits can make employees happier by giving them a sense of security and stability. The best part is that MFG Benefits is completely free to work with. You also don’t have to wait until your plan is up for renewal to switch brokers. If you’re unsatisfied with your current broker, you can switch brokers mid-plan while keeping your current insurance until the next time you’re scheduled to renew.
A benefit’s broker is not like an insurance agent. Insurance agents work for a specific insurance carrier, so their objective is to sell you an insurance plan from their company. While there is some variation in what a carrier can offer you, carriers aren’t one size fits all. Depending on your objectives, there could be a better carrier (or carriers) that will help you meet your business’ needs.
If you’re wondering what you should look for when picking a benefits broker to ensure you have the right person in your corner, read on!
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING IS A PRIORITY
Getting to Know You. A good benefits broker nurtures their relationships with clients as opposed to only focusing on the transaction. You will be able to get a sense of how your broker will interact with you and your employees throughout the year during your initial consultation.
A good benefits broker begins by taking the time to understand your business and its unique needs and then recommends a benefits plan that will support those needs.
Don’t be afraid to ask your potential new broker if they are there to support you and your employees with any questions you might have. Gauging how receptive they are to communicating throughout the year will be a good indicator of the level of customer service you can expect.
Employee Relationships. In the spirit of nurturing relationships, your broker should be someone you and your employees feel comfortable going to with any questions - no matter how simple. This relationship between your broker and your employees is often established when your benefits broker comes to present your benefits plan and answer any related questions.
Carrier Relationships. A benefits broker is also there to manage the relationship between the carrier and you. This means handling plan related billing, assisting with any claims, and helping with other administrative issues as they arise.
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Managing Cost. Making sure your insurance doesn’t break your bank (or your employees’ bank) is critical when designing a plan. A knowledgeable broker will be able to advise you on a plan that has everything you are hoping to include at a reasonable cost!
Keeping Up with Changes. The benefits industry is always changing. It is incredibly important that a benefits broker not only understands each carrier and the plans they offer, but also stays on top of changes.
Many carriers have begun to restructure and expand their plan offerings to account for how individuals’ needs have changed due to COVID-19.
Offering Options. Having the right benefits broker ensures you will be making the right choice to provide the best coverage (at an affordable cost) to your employees. Here at MFGB, we are extremely knowledgeable about the products we offer. We work with over 30 different carriers to create your ‘best-fit’ benefits plan. We maintain great relationship with every carrier we work with to ensure all claims get resolved in a timely manner.
If you’ve decided that your current broker isn’t working with you in the way you would like, it’s important to find someone who is more aligned with your goals. When you begin your search for a new broker, don’t be afraid to schedule a few initial consultations and come prepared with questions.
Give MFG Benefits a call to set up a complementary consultation with Steve and Jessica. At MFGB we conduct a yearly analysis to make sure that come renewal time, you are on the best health insurance plan for your business. We use our combined 50 years of experience to deliver benefits solutions that are affordable and of exceptional value for both employers and employees. As a partner to you and your business, we are committed to delivering a high level of customer service which means we support our clients by answering any questions you or your employees may have, helping with claims, and assisting with other administrative tasks. Throughout the year, we make sure that as your business grows and changes, your benefits package reflects this.
SCHEDULE A COMPLIMENTARY ANALYSIS OF YOUR BENEFITS TODAY
775.398.4874 | JESSICA@MFGBENEFITS.COM
WWW.MFGBENEFITS.COM