How can you safely work with multiple brokers? (2024)

Last updated on Feb 15, 2024

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Why work with multiple brokers?

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What are the risks and challenges?

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How to choose your brokers?

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How to communicate with your brokers?

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How to manage your broker-client contracts?

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Here’s what else to consider

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Working with multiple brokers can be a smart strategy to diversify your portfolio, access different markets, and compare services and fees. However, it also comes with some risks and challenges that you need to be aware of and manage carefully. In this article, we will discuss some tips and best practices on how to safely work with multiple brokers in the context of broker-client contracts, which are the legal agreements that define the terms and conditions of your relationship with each broker.

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  • Maarten Lightband Principal Client Executive @ Marsh | ANZIIF (Assoc) CIP

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  • Anand Sewsaran Senior Property Underwriter at AIG

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How can you safely work with multiple brokers? (6) How can you safely work with multiple brokers? (7) How can you safely work with multiple brokers? (8)

1 Why work with multiple brokers?

Working with multiple brokers can have various advantages for your financial goals and preferences. Exploring different investment opportunities and strategies across different asset classes, regions, and sectors, as well as leveraging the expertise and advice of different brokers who specialize in different areas or have different approaches, can be beneficial. Moreover, you can negotiate better fees and commissions by comparing different offers and having more bargaining power. Additionally, you can reduce your exposure to operational risks, such as technical glitches, fraud, or bankruptcy, that may affect one broker but not another.

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  • Maarten Lightband Principal Client Executive @ Marsh | ANZIIF (Assoc) CIP
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    While having multiple service providers might seem like you are accessing a wider market, it actually hinders discussion with the market by having multiple parties seek the same options from the same carriers with different submissions. This causes confusion and potentially removing any enhancements a good service providers can achieve when negotiating with various carriers. It is important to agree on a service provider before deciding to approach insurance carriers

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  • Anand Sewsaran Senior Property Underwriter at AIG
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    When working with multiple brokers one has to practice confidentiality as information supplied by one broker cannot and must not be used for another broker as these are their intellectual property

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    I generally would not recommend using multiple brokers for the same reason that one may not consider using multiple CPA or law firms. Shopping insurance is part of what a good broker does, but they also build multi-year strategies (especially for those considering the move to a captive program) which cannot be accomplished with multiple parties involved. Having multiple brokers also causes an administrative burden on clients and can lead to gaps in insurance if not carefully managed.

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  • Sunday Ozomah (Associate Chartered Insurer) Principal Manager at Linkage Assurance Plc
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    when i was with my former company, one of the competitive advantage we had was our broker relationship. It was observed that brokers actually gave us over 70% of our income in multiple years. our ability to acquire experience, income and also socialize gave a the much required leverage to be one of the leading market players in the industry. One of the major benefits of working with multiple brokers is the ability to get various experts giving you their dynamic views to risk while at the same time being able to get the most competitive rate and at the best price.

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2 What are the risks and challenges?

When working with multiple brokers, you should be aware of and manage the risks and challenges associated. This may include higher complexity and administrative burden when managing multiple accounts, statements, tax reports, and communications. Additionally, potential conflicts of interest or ethical issues may arise if your brokers are not aware of each other or have competing interests or incentives. Moreover, you may face increased legal liability and regulatory compliance if your brokers operate under different jurisdictions, laws, or regulations. It can also be difficult to monitor your overall portfolio performance, risk, and diversification if your brokers use different platforms, tools, or metrics.

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  • Sunday Ozomah (Associate Chartered Insurer) Principal Manager at Linkage Assurance Plc
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    The risks includes price badgering where the brokers tend to reduce the rate just for them to acquire the business at all cost. this price war has always been to the detriment of the underwriting companies. The rate was is a major disadvantage for the insurance who also take this businesses from the brokers so as not to loose out from the businesses the brokers have to offer.

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  • Hamim Badri CX Champion/Insurance/ Claims Management / Catastrophe modeller / Management / Risk Management
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    Actually i kind of disagree with the idea of working with multiple brokers due to the following reasons, inter alia: 1. Conflicting Advice:Different insurance brokers may offer conflicting advice and recommendations. This can lead to confusion and make it difficult for you to make informed decisions about your insurance coverage. Discrepancies in advice may arise due to varying interpretations of your risk profile, industry, or insurance needs.2. Fragmented Risk Management:A fragmented approach may hinder your ability to implement a comprehensive and integrated risk management plan, potentially leaving your business exposed to unforeseen liabilities

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3 How to choose your brokers?

Choosing your brokers is an essential step in working with multiple brokers safely. Thus, you must do your due diligence and research each broker thoroughly before opening an account with them. You should consider factors such as the broker's reputation, track record, and credentials – which can be checked through online reviews, ratings, testimonials, and complaints from other clients or independent sources. Furthermore, you should verify the broker's regulatory status, licensing, and registration to ensure they are authorized and regulated by a reputable agency or body in your country or region. Additionally, you should compare the broker's pricing structure, transparency, and competitiveness with other brokers and the industry average to assess their fees, commissions, and charges. Lastly, you should assess the broker's range, quality, and suitability of the investment options, tools, features, and support they offer.

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    Any time you can find a broker who specializes in your industry you will find a wealth of knowledge, particularly in best practices and risk management application as opposed to just focusing on premiums.You should also ask to meet your service team on all levels, not just the high level sales folks and account executives but the account management level that will be servicing your account on a day to day basis to make sure they are a good fit.

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  • Sunday Ozomah (Associate Chartered Insurer) Principal Manager at Linkage Assurance Plc
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    In my experience the best way to choose a broker is to look at the wealth of experience of the people they have at the helm of affairs. what level of professionals do they have to analyze the various risks that is at their disposal. Brokers that would give the best rate at the same time look out for the best interest of their customers.

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4 How to communicate with your brokers?

Communicating with your brokers is a vital component of managing multiple brokers safely. It is essential to establish open, honest, and frequent communication with each broker and inform them of your objectives, expectations, and preferences. For instance, you should disclose to each broker that you are working with multiple brokers and explain your reasons and objectives. Additionally, you should update each broker regularly on your portfolio status, changes, and performance with other brokers. Furthermore, you should seek feedback and advice from each broker on your overall portfolio strategy, risk, and diversification. Lastly, review and evaluate each broker's performance, service, and value periodically; in addition to providing constructive feedback.

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    Your broker should be doing a mid-year formal review to check in with you and find out if your needs are being met, what challenges you are facing and if you have any new exposures or ventures that need to be considered for your upcoming renewal. At this point they should also be talking strategy and analysis to see if your risk tolerance has changed and what their marketing plan will be. This is a great time to provide feedback and ask questions. If you have a trusted relationship with your broker, which you should, you should feel comfortable about reaching out if you have a need that isn't being met so it can be addressed.

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  • Sunday Ozomah (Associate Chartered Insurer) Principal Manager at Linkage Assurance Plc
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    The best way to communicate with brokers is through the various medium gathering to discuss industry related forums. we have this professional forum in my country that underwriters and brokers gather annually to discuss the insurance industry related issues.

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5 How to manage your broker-client contracts?

Managing your broker-client contracts is the final and most important aspect of working with multiple brokers safely. These legal agreements define the terms and conditions of your relationship with each broker, such as your rights, obligations, fees, commissions, risks, and disputes. Therefore, it’s important to read, understand, and sign each contract carefully and keep a copy for your records. When reviewing and comparing contracts before signing, look out for any clauses, terms, or fees that may be unfavorable or unclear. You should also negotiate and modify any contract terms that conflict with your other contracts. Furthermore, monitor and comply with each contract's obligations and report any breaches or disputes promptly.

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  • Thibaut GAULT Courtier gérant chez IC CONSEIL Assurances
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    En effet, la multiplication, parfois nécessaire pour accéder à certains placements, peuvent rendre difficile la compréhension par le client. Chaque intermédiaire doit rester à sa place et donner au maillon en amont ou en aval toutes les informations nécessaires à son travail.Il appartient au courtier en relation avec le client d'expliquer la chaîne d'intermédiation ainsi que le système de rémunération de chaque partie.Les enjeux sont ici, il peut être difficile de rester dans les directives de la DDA, chacun ayant besoinet cela s'entend, de gagner sa vie.

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  • Sunday Ozomah (Associate Chartered Insurer) Principal Manager at Linkage Assurance Plc
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    Managing your broker is very important that client broker relationship is very important that without the relationship the relationship forms the core of how business is done in the insurance market. when you have forums where brokers and underwriters meet, there are social interactions that leads to consummation of businesses.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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