AHCP Blog

Why P&C Agents Should Sell Health Insurance or Partner with Someone Who Does

Written by AHCP | 10/24/24 1:35 AM

In today's challenging insurance market, property and casualty (P&C) agents face increasing difficulties, including rapidly rising prices and the need to work harder to find the right solutions for their clients. As these challenges persist, many agents are looking for ways to enhance their services, boost revenue, and provide greater value.

One strategic approach is to add health insurance to their portfolio. This not only diversifies an agent’s offerings but also creates a comprehensive suite of services that can meet a wider range of client needs. By adding health insurance, agents can offer more complete protection for their clients and build stronger relationships.

The Complementary Nature of Health and P&C Insurance

At first glance, health insurance and P&C insurance may seem to address completely different needs: one focuses on personal health and well-being, while the other covers physical assets like homes and vehicles. However, both types of insurance aim to protect clients from financial loss due to unexpected events. Adding health insurance to a P&C agent’s offerings makes sense because it broadens the protection they can provide. Additionally, most clients don’t distinguish between Property & Casualty and Life & Health agents—they simply want comprehensive protection from a trusted source.

Benefits of Selling Health Insurance for P&C Agents

  1. Increased Client Retention: Offering a wider range of insurance products positions agents as a one-stop-shop, reducing the chances of clients seeking services from competitors.
  2. Cross-Selling Opportunities: Understanding clients' P&C needs helps agents get to know their customers and provides valuable insights into their health insurance requirements as well, enabling them to offer tailored health insurance solutions that complement existing coverage.
  3. Enhanced Client Relationships: By providing more comprehensive insurance solutions, agents can strengthen their role as trusted advisors, deepening their relationships with clients across a broader spectrum of financial concerns.
  4. Revenue Growth: Adding health insurance introduces a new revenue stream, which can help offset any lost revenue on the P&C side.

Navigating the Transition

Of course, P&C agents cannot simply start selling health insurance. They need to get licensed, learn about the leading carriers, get appointed, and figure out how to get quotes and present them to their clients. The good news is that AHCP can help with all of this.

  1. Health Insurance Licensing: First things first—P&C agents need to obtain a health insurance license to sell these products to their clients. Taking a short prep class before the licensing exam might be a good idea to ensure success.
  2. Carrier Appointments: To add a carrier’s product to your portfolio, you’ll need to complete the necessary paperwork to get appointed. Our team can streamline this process, making it quick and easy.
  3. Market Research: Understanding the health insurance market is crucial. This includes knowing the needs of various demographics and the different types of policies available. At AHCP, we represent over 500 products from nearly 50 carriers in every state, and we host regular training sessions to keep agents up to speed. Getting appointed is just the start; learning enough about the various solutions to effectively explain them to your clients is essential—and we can assist with both.

Partnering for Success

While adding health insurance to your portfolio is a great opportunity, not all P&C agents will choose to take this step. For those who prefer to focus solely on their current offerings, partnering with an agent who specializes in health insurance can be an excellent alternative. By referring clients to a trusted health insurance agent, P&C agents can provide added value and create the "stickiness" that comes with offering multiple product lines.

Health Insurance Agents: Because P&C agents have relationships with consumers who could benefit from your products, and because not every P&C agent will choose to sell health insurance, consider reaching out to P&C agents to explore partnership opportunities. By collaborating, you can offer P&C agents a valuable service for their clients while gaining a steady supply of warm leads, creating a mutually beneficial relationship.

Closing Thoughts

If you’re a property and casualty agent, incorporating health insurance into your offerings is more than just a strategic shift—it’s a step toward providing comprehensive protection for your clients. This expansion requires careful planning, thorough education, and a deep understanding of both the P&C and health insurance markets. Nonetheless, the potential benefits—such as increased client retention, revenue growth, and stronger client relationships—make it a worthwhile investment of your time and energy. By combining the strengths of health and P&C insurance, you can unlock new opportunities and provide exceptional service, protecting both your clients' physical assets and their overall well-being.

Please reach out to AHCP today – we’d love to work with you (or refer you to one of our agents if you’d prefer to collaborate).