As an insurance agency owner, it’s important to ensure that your employees are protected. It is common for insurance agents to be falsely accused of unethical or illegal practices at some point in their careers. As the agency leader, it’s up to you to ensure they have a way to defend themselves. Discover how to protect your agents from false charges and what to do if a charge is made.
Agents may be prone to false charges due to the nature of their job. Insurance agents are responsible for selling policies and providing advice to clients. As a result, it’s easy for misunderstandings or disagreements to occur between the agent and client. The client may accuse the agent that is unfounded, such as suggesting the agent engaged in fraud or provided incorrect information about coverage.
Carry Professional Liability Insurance
One of the most effective ways to protect your insurance agents is by carrying professional liability insurance. This policy covers claims made against your employee due to negligence or errors. It can help with legal expenses associated with defending against false charges. Professional liability policies also provide coverage for libel and slander suits that may be brought against your agent due to giving incorrect advice. Ensuring your agents have this protection can help them feel more secure in their job and reduce the worry of facing a lawsuit.
Error & Omissions Insurance
Providing E&O insurance for insurance agents is one of the most important ways to protect your agents from false charges. This will provide coverage for legal fees and settlements against claims made by clients or other parties alleging financial losses due to errors, omissions, or negligence on the agent’s part. While the insurance won’t completely prevent false charges, it can provide the necessary resources to defend against them and minimize any losses incurred. This will protect the agent and your agency from the financial consequences of a false charge.
Creating a Supportive Environment
As an employer, it’s important to create a supportive environment for agents, so they feel comfortable coming to you with any issues or accusations. Encourage open communication between you and the agents, so they know they can come to you with questions or potential issues. Additionally, provide training and education on handling disputes and ethical dilemmas that may arise during their job duties.
It’s also important to provide training and resources to help your agents avoid making mistakes that could open them up to false accusations. This includes teaching them best practices when dealing with clients, such as responding promptly to their emails and returning phone calls on time. You should also provide them with resources like industry magazines and newsletters so they can stay up-to-date on changes in the industry that affect their job duties.
Ensure Compliance With Laws & Regulations
You must also ensure all your agents comply with laws and regulations related to their job duties. This means ensuring they understand licensing requirements in their operating state and any other laws or regulations that may apply in particular situations. As an insurance agency owner, you must stay on top of these laws and regulations to guide your agents if needed.
Ensure your insurance agents are also aware of their rights regarding false charges. Every agent should be educated on their state’s laws, regulations, and company policies. Ensure that all agents have a copy of these documents, so they can refer back to them if needed. Provide reminders about the laws and regulations and any new policies that may have been implemented.
Investigate Charges and Take Action
If your agent is accused of unethical or illegal practices, the first step is to investigate the charge. Ask them for their side of the story and review any documents associated with the claim that you can access. In addition, speak to other employees involved in the situation, as they may have important information that could help you make a decision. You can prepare the following, so the investigation runs smoothly:
- Establish a timeline of events
- Gather documents, emails, or other evidence related to the charge
- Interview the involved parties and ask follow-up questions
- Provide video or audio recordings, if possible
Once the investigation has been completed, it’s important to take appropriate action. Depending on the severity of the charge, this can range from reprimanding your agent to suspension or termination. Each case must be handled fairly and consistently with all employees, so everyone is treated the same.
Protecting insurance agents from false charges is essential for any successful agency. This helps protect your agency’s financial health but also helps ensure that agents feel supported and have an open line of communication with you if any issues arise. With these steps in place, you can rest assured that everyone at your agency is protected against false charges.
