Unkefer & Associates, Inc. is committed to serving as a resource for independent agencies, agents, insurers and their policyholders by helping associates honor the public trust and to discharge their regulatory responsibilities with competence, diligence and with the highest sense of integrity.
Trust is the foundation of all insurance business. As the representative of the industry, producers are the first and perhaps the only personal contact a consumer has with an insurance company. Producers earn each client's trust and confidence by conveying and demonstrating a strong commitment to business ethics.
The producer continues to be an important part of the face of the insurance industry and will continue to influence consumer perceptions that affect ethical behavior and the regulation of that ethical behavior. We all have a responsibility to preserve this opportunity for future generations of producers and fulfill our fiduciary obligations to our clients by working within the guidelines established by state or federal regulators to ensure professionalism and integrity among the men and women who work within our industry.
The public decided long ago that insurance regulation — fair, firm, honest insurance regulation — was in everybody's interest. The job of protecting consumers and preserving a competitive marketplace was delegated to the states (Public Law 15 – McCarran Ferguson Act), which allows for each state to regulate their states' business. It is important that we remain mindful of all the state or federal regulations affecting the insurance and financial services. No single industry is exempt from regulation.
Unkefer & Associates, Inc. recognizes the importance regulation has on our industry and the direct impact it has on producers. We encourage all producers to subscribe to these principles:
1. To conduct business according to high standards of honesty and fairness and to render that service to its customers which, in the same circumstances, it would apply to or demand for themselves.
2. To be competent, of good character, have appropriate education and qualifications and customer-focused business practices.
3. To engage in active and fair competition by the use of relevant, factually accurate information.
4. To use advertising and sales materials that are clear as to purpose and honest and fair as to content by the use of meaningful tools, such as a “buyer’s guide” and “disclosure” forms.
Unfortunately, every industry is plagued by a few dishonest, unethical people. No one is immune. The IRS 2001 Roper Survey found only 76% of respondents said that cheating on taxes was unacceptable. Our Nation spent $1.7 Trillion dollars on health care in 2003 and it is estimated that 20-30% of that was fraudulent.
Insurance Ethics isn't much different than the Ethics requirement for any other Fiduciary position. Every producer has a legal and ethical obligation to the industry and to their client. Unkefer & Associates, Inc. continues to provide top producers with tools and resources to achieve a high level of respect and professionalism within the industry.
back to ethics menuUnkefer & Associates is fully committed to the education of the agents we work with. You will find hours of training presentations on our website not only discussing the products and companies we represent but also topics of interest and concern to Americans interested in safety and efficient wealth transfer. We place special emphasis on Suitability and Compliance issues in our Annuity Agent Survival Guide training. Additionally, we encourage all agents in our industry to continue to enhance their knowledge of insurance and financial related topics so they may better serve the customers they work for. In fact, most states require continuing education to maintain the different insurance licenses required to operate as an insurance agent.
Many agents have also chosen to enhance their knowledge even further by taking courses, tests, or attending seminars on topics related to insurance professionals. Some of these courses offer a designation or title to the participant upon completion. Recently some of these designations have come under scrutiny by consumer advocates and regulators. Arguments have been made that these "impressive sounding" designations may lead the consumer into a false sense of security about the qualifications of a particular agent. And, unfortunately, some designations have been found to be relatively empty or void of educational content.
Unkefer & Associates encourages agents to be life-long learners to better serve the American marketplace. However, without commenting on each designation individually, we advise agents to consider the source of these designations carefully before adding them to their credentials.
For example, if you find that the coursework for a designation was informative but not authoritative, you should consider not adding this designation as a post script on your business card. In the end, a designation does not ensure proper representation of the products you are selling. You must understand exactly how the products you represent may help your customers. Knowledge and experience are perhaps, your most valuable assets. We seek to enhance your personal knowledge and allow you to benefit from our experience with the goal of making suitable recommendations on all your sales.
Let us know that you have read this information and that you agree with this commitment to professionalism and putting your customer's personal goals well above your own. Serving with excellence is the first step to truly realizing the best that life has to offer. Personal fulfillment flows from the passionate serving of others!
The following is a list professional designations that are generally recognized by the insurance and financial services industries and the by community in general.
Each designation is issued by accredited universities, colleges or professional societies that involve a rigorous curriculum.
All recommendations for the purchase or exchange of an annuity product should be suitable for the consumer based on information known by the agent at the time the recommendation is made. Prior to making a recommendation for the purchase or exchange of an annuity product, the agent should make a reasonable effort to obtain relevant information from the consumer regarding his or her insurance needs and financial objectives. Our insurance companies provide a suitability form to assist you in collecting this necessary information. To further assist you, we have created a companion form that works in conjunction with the insurance company form.
You can access our suitability form now by registering with our website and visiting our Sales Tools web page. You can also further your compliance training by visiting our Agent Survival Guide on-demand training presentation.
You can also view the
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE COMMISSIONERS (N.A.I.C.)
SENIOR PROTECTION IN ANNUITY TRANSACTIONS MODEL REGULATION
By clicking on the link below:
www.unkefer.net/suitability.pdf
