by jsd1239 » Mon Apr 13, 2009 03:30 pm
A friend who sells life and health, would like to hire me part time as an office assistant. I understand that I cannot quote, sell or solicit insurance policys without a license. A little background I have some sales experience. I was a part time independent travel agent (commission only home based) and did fairly well at it, until orbitz, travelocity and a few of the other online travel agency's pulled most of business away. I took an early retirement from the auto industry. I know a little bit about group plans and dealing with the insurance companies claims departments, since I filled in for the union benefits rep when he was out of town or on vacataion.
My friend is willing to mentor me, to see if I would like the business or not before I invest in the licensing course, background check, test and license. I'm not sure if it would be better to get my license first or check it out for a month or so.
My friend is willing to mentor me, to see if I would like the business or not before I invest in the licensing course, background check, test and license. I'm not sure if it would be better to get my license first or check it out for a month or so.
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 07:12 am Post Subject:
Well, experience in sales might help you to some extent but the industry of insurance is a different one altogether. And that is why the agents are required to have license before staring business. Trade of insurance involves finance and the agents are obligated to reserve the best interest of their clients, failing which may jeopardize his business prospects.
I’m not trying to scare you but only outlining the business of insurance for you. Obtaining the license is purely your decision, IMO either way you would be better off. But again the experts will shortly be around :)
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 07:18 am Post Subject:
IMO getting the license first and then start of with the insurance career would hurt. You can then start off on your own once you gather enough experience in this field. If you try to get the license later you may then lose out time which you could have used in soliciting clients.
Just my thought.
Thanks,
Rupert
Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 02:31 pm Post Subject:
Hi jsd1239,
My friend is willing to mentor me, to see if I would like the business or not before I invest in the licensing course, background check, test and license.
Well, to me that's more like a free-look period and there's nothing wrong with it. In order to sell or solicit policies you'd certainly need to have your feet firmly grounded. We all would need to be sure of what type of profession/business we'd like to be in before we start. Another important factor is our 'age' to commence a new business.
I know a little bit about group plans and dealing with the insurance companies claims departments, since I filled in for the union benefits rep when he was out of town or on vacataion.
That's interesting!
What role are you playing in the claims process? Are you only calling up people?
Roddick
Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 02:42 pm Post Subject:
Go ahead and get your license its not hard and the cost is minimal.
Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:57 pm Post Subject: License now or wait
roddick,
To answer your question on the claims process, I called the carrier's customer service department if a claim was denied or hadn't been paid, for the covered individual, to find out the reason or the status of payment. The carrier's would deny payment on claims even though it was covered. I could never figure out why, when they ended up paying anyhow. Some of the employees would get letters or calls from collection agencies, If the bill wasn't paid within 30 days. At times I would have to explain to the employee what their plan covered, since we had four different plans(PPO, HMO, Traditional, Kaiser,Dental and Vision). This is kind of brief job description of a benefits representative.
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 01:24 pm Post Subject:
Hi jsd1239,
Some of the employees would get letters or calls from collection agencies, If the bill wasn't paid within 30 days.
Just didn't get what kinda bills you're referring to...are these calls in relation with the unsettled claims?
Roddick
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 05:02 pm Post Subject:
Go ahead and get your lic. Go for it!!
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 06:53 pm Post Subject: license now or wait
Hi, roddick,
Yes I believe you could call them unsettled claims. When the carrier didn't pay the health care facility the doctor, or both within their billing period. Usually 30 days. Then the insured would recieve a statement informing him his insurance carrier had not paid the bill and he would have to pay it, some had to be paid within 5 days others might be14 days, and if unpaid by the date due it was turned over to a collection agency. I found a good portion of the time, it sat on someones desk, and as their usual response was we are so busy it must have been overlooked.
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 05:42 am Post Subject:
I found a good portion of the time, it sat on someones desk, and as their usual response was we are so busy it must have been overlooked.
Can't this be termed as negligence by the insurer? If the insurer doesn't pay the claim on time and it goes to the collection agency, isn't it denting the credit report of the insured? Can the insured move to the court against the insurer for non-payment of claim?
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 09:04 am Post Subject:
Can't this be termed as negligence by the insurer?
See, I guess it's an insurance carrier's obligation to reciprocate to their clients promptly and in a fair way. If they don't live up to their promise it would regarded as 'bad faith'. Am I right!
Steven
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