NU Online News Service, Aug. 6, 3:14 p.m. EDT
A major independent agent leader threw down the gauntlet, challenging contingent fee opponent Willis to benchmark their brokers' upfront commissions against industry averages when delivering policies to clients.
In a "Final Say" column in the Aug. 9 edition of National Underwriter, Robert Rusbuldt, president and CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, defended the payment of contingency fees to his members, arguing that consumers actually benefit from such compensation arrangements.
He also asserted that Willis CEO Joe Plumeri–who refuses to accept contingents because of the potential for conflicts of interest–is misleading buyers by suggesting that accepting only straight commissions are always preferable, especially if the upfront sales charges are higher to make up for the loss of contingent income on the back end.
To read more about Mr. Rusbuldt's argument, click here.
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