I was asked years ago, if I could write an insurance policy myself then why would I use a another broker.

From the Washington Healthplanfinder, Neptune, Squaremouth, DeltaDental, etc there are a ton of places that I can buy insurance for myself. Why would I want another person?

1. I want their training. They get trained by the insurance companies on how the plans function. They have to keep up on their training and have an expertise that you don’t get casually. Your Aunt Betty who worked with insurance ten years ago may not have understand any updates to the industry.

2. They carry insurance on their decision that I don’t have. Professionals that advise people carry insurance. It provides an extra layer if things go wrong.

3. If the insurance company goes sideways then I have someone to assist me in filing a complaint. This is why I use someone contracted with multiple companies. I want my agent to be able to use options.

4. They would be able to tell you particulars about what is going on for a brand in an area. For example, they would know if there is any problems with the local clinic’s contract with Kaiser.

5. They do not fall into the brand trap. You may have had a particular dental plan for years. Folks around you use the same named company with great success. What happens if you grab the cheap version that doesn’t cover what you need?

6. There are differences that you should know.

In Washington State a Producer or agent is what most people will work with. They can be contracted with one or multiple companies.

For Health Insurance, you can work with a navigator who is unlicensed and can not advise you what plans that you can pick. You can also work with a broker, who is licensed, can advise you and fill in any gaps with additional coverage. Both are called in person assisters.

An Insurance Broker is commonly thought as someone who works with multiple companies. Some will have a Surplus Lines Broker to work with more exotic policies. Health Insurance Agents that work with the State Exchange are referred to as brokers. Since brokers don’t represent insurance companies, they can’t bind coverage on behalf of an insurer when purchasing insurance. They must hand over the account to an insurer or insurance agent to complete the transaction.

If you are not able to get a Health Insurance plan now because it is special enrollment then you would be in a better position November 1st when Open Enrollment begins.

An agent (producer) is a vital tool in assisting you shop for an insurance plan. They will have insight into plans from their training and experience. If you can have a conversation with them then you are off to a good start in finding a plan that suits your needs.