Description

Insurance brokers often work as agents of large insurance companies or independently; in either case, they work directly with clients and must have necessary licenses in their states of employment.Insurance brokers provide insurance quotes via phone, online, or in-person. They must assess consumers’ individual needs prior to providing quotes and may need to conduct valuations of properties or businesses to be insured. They may also take photographs, obtain inspection reports, and compare coverage plans of different insurers. They must always try to secure the best rates without sacrificing quality (above-average ratings by third-party institutions) for their clients and must always be fair, ethical and unbiased in their work.Some insurance brokers may also need to pass series 6 and 7 exams administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), a government agency. Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills are important in this position; on behalf of their clients, they must research ways to reduce premiums by combining different types of insurance, such as home and auto insurance, for substantial discounts. They must also explain any small print that clients should know, such as terms and conditions, and send them certificates of insurance when necessary. Insurance brokers are encouraged to read professional journals relevant to their industry to stay up-to-date in their careers.

Roles & Responsibilities

As an Insurance Broker with 9+ years of experience in Canada, your main responsibilities include:

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, understanding their insurance needs and providing personalized solutions.
  • Research and analyze various insurance products and policies to offer the best coverage options to clients.
  • Negotiate with insurance underwriters on behalf of clients to secure competitive premiums and terms.
  • Stay updated with industry regulations and changes, ensuring compliance and providing expert advice to clients on risk management and claims processes.

Qualifications & Work Experience

For an Insurance Broker, the following qualifications are required:

  • In-depth knowledge of insurance products and services to effectively assess clients' needs and recommend suitable coverage options.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build and maintain strong relationships with clients, insurance underwriters, and other stakeholders.
  • Strong sales and negotiation abilities to close deals and secure competitive insurance premiums for clients.
  • Attention to detail and accuracy in analyzing policy terms, conditions, and exclusions to ensure clients' coverage aligns with their risk management goals.

Essential Skills For Insurance Broker

1

Sales Strategy

2

Life Insurance Policy

3

General Insurance Policy

4

Insurance Management

Skills That Affect Insurance Broker Salaries

Different skills can affect your salary. Below are the most popular skills and their effect on salary.

Managing Accounts

4%

Customer Relationship Management

16%

Commercial Bonds

8%

Insurance Management

1%

Career Prospects

With over 9+ years of work experience as an Insurance Broker in Canada, there are several alternative roles to consider. Here are four options:

  • Underwriter: A role that involves assessing risks, determining coverage, and setting premiums for insurance policies.
  • Claims Adjuster: A position focused on investigating and evaluating insurance claims to determine coverage, liability, and settlement amounts.
  • Risk Manager: A role that involves identifying and analyzing potential risks for an organization and implementing strategies to mitigate them.
  • Insurance Sales Manager: A position focused on leading a team of insurance agents, setting sales targets, and developing strategies to increase revenue.

How to Learn

According to recent data, the insurance broker role in Canada is projected to experience steady growth in the market. Over the past 10 years, the job has shown consistent demand and is expected to continue this trend in the upcoming years. With an increasing population and growing demand for insurance services, employment opportunities for insurance brokers are predicted to expand. Google does not provide specific statistics on the number of future employment opportunities, but the overall outlook for this position remains positive and suggests a promising future in the Canadian market.