How often have you called your insurance company only to reach their telephone tree speaking off a list of extensions while you continually repeat “representative” until you’ve yelled yourself hoarse, only to be told by the robotic voice that transfers you which then gets you put on hold for fifty-eight minutes or more? All this just to ask a simple question about your coverage or order a new ID card; or perhaps you needed to discuss an issue with a claim. The amount of time we waste, the headaches along with the stress of waiting for a return call that never happens. Don’t you wish there was an easier way; that someone would do this for you? Look no further! Landmark to the RESCUE!
At Landmark Insurance, we are not a “1-800 Insurance Agency” or even a Captive Agency(answering only to a carrier), we are an Insurance Broker, we are the middleman between you and the insurance companies. We represent your best interests. No need to go online and doeverything yourself; we do it for you! We don’t only represent one Insurance Company; each of our five departments, yes, FIVE DEPARTMENTS; represent multiple carriers, and along with our top-notch Agents comes quality customer service that delivers personalized service as well. We don’t “write it and forget it,” only showing up at renewal time. In fact, Landmark Insurance makes it a point to tell you that if you have an issue, DO NOT try and call your insurance company first, we are just a phone call or email away and can often resolve an issue much quicker and without the headache.
At Landmark, we are here for the little things, such as helping our insureds get new ID cards to calling the Carrier when you are at the Pharmacy and hearing they don’t have coverage, to walking you step-by-step through the claims process after being in an automobile accident.
Your Landmark Team is your advocate.
What is the Difference Between an Agent and a Broker?
The key difference between an insurance agent and an insurance broker lies in whom they represent and how they operate:
An Insurance Agent:
- Works directly for one or more insurance companies, not you, the client.
- Sells policies from those specific insurers.
- Can be a captive agent (representing only one company)
Because Landmark Insurance is a Broker, we emphasize to our insureds and prospects that we work for them, representing many different companies which enables us to provide our insureds with the coverage that best suits their needs and budget. Being an independent Broker is particularly important when an insured has a claim. We advocate to get it expedited or help resolve an issue our client may be having. Doing our best to find you the right policy is not just our ethical obligation, it’s what makes us a Broker.
What We as A Broker Can Do for You:
- A Broker or Independent Agent can “shop” someone’s insurance with many different companies so they do not have to do it themselves.
- Brokers clearly explain coverages and educate clients so the insured can make an informed decision on what best suits their needs.
- WE are your advocate. We work independently for you, the client, NOT the insurance companies.
- As a Broker we can provide all types of insurance coverages; Home & Auto, Business Insurance, Life & Health, Employee Benefits, Financial Services, etc.
In a few short words, Agents represent their insurers and sell their policies, while Brokers represent their clients and evaluate them and find suitable policies for their needs.
A True Claims Story
Kara works for Landmark Insurance in our Commercial Department and she has been nicknamed “the Pitbull”. She made no less than ten phone calls and emails sent combined over a four-day period after severe weather damaged her clients’ property; for which he was properly insured, including an additional $25,000 policy rider.
An adjuster was sent to look at the damage, and an estimate followed along with the money to the insured for the repairs. However, the adjuster did not properly review the client’s coverage on their commercial property policy and therefore only paid a small portion of what was actually due the client.
This is where Kara stepped in once she became aware of the situation. “As Broker, we are here to make sure that our clients are getting the most out of their coverage and what they pay for”, Kara responded when asked about the claim. All of this took place without ever having to bother the client.
Kara knew at once that the Insurance Carrier overlooked the fact that the client had an insurance rider on the policy. The claim was resolved and the client was paid in full for the claim. The base level policy by itself would cover repairs up to $1,000 for outdoor signs and that is exactly what the insurance paid, the endorsement however, granted an additional $25,000 in coverage. This should have been included in the adjusters’ report from the beginning.
Without a Broker to dispute this claim, they would have been left to do it themselves. How many people actually read the fine print of their policies? How many know who to call? Or have the time to make all of those calls? That is why you have a Broker to advocate for you, who works for you on your side, not the insurance company. That is why you call Landmark Insurance. “Large Enough to Serve You, Small Enough to Care!”®
A Medicare Story
Here you are sixty-four years old, a few months shy of your 65th birthday where you will become Medicare eligible, and even though you JUST applied for Medicare online, your mailbox has been piling up with leaflets and pamphlets from AARP. Your email inbox has been inundated with pings from Humana, Aetna and again, AARP. Company after company is calling and contacting you in every way possible.
There are so many options. Part A, Part B, Plan C, Part D Prescriptions. What does is all mean? Which Company do I go with? This one says it’s the best rate, this one says you get free golf, a free gift comes with this one, this one says you will have dental. How are you supposed to figure this out and yet make the right decision? STOP!
If this is you, unless it comes directly from Medicare or Social Security, throw it all away, delete it, and call an Insurance Broker. As an Independent Agent, we can educate you on the entire Medicare process, from your plan options, to pricing out over thirty or more A Rated Carriers at one time, including those that have been hounding you.
With just your prescription list and some other personal information, we can help inform you of the most cost-effective options for you; for a Medicare Supplement and Part D Prescription Plan, or Medicare Advantage Plan. If you have questions, we most likely have the answers, having a team of trained Health agents on staff.
When you are ready to proceed with an application, it is all done electronically on our end, and we notify you when enrollment has gone through, urging you to keep an eye on your mail for your welcome packets and ID Cards. If you have more questions, our Agents and customer service representatives are here for whatever you may need. Claims issue? Give us a call. Premiums skyrocket 5 years later and you want to shop around? Give us a call. It’s Open Enrollment and you received a letter about your plan and you have questions? Give us a call.That is why we are here. We have the ability to offer you multiple options and we believe in educating you so that you can make an informed decision that best suits your needs.
How Landmark Insurance is YOUR Community Broker
Landmark Insurance has been an Independent Insurance Brokerage for 46 years, expanding our Personal Lines Department and Commercial Lines Department to include Individual Life & Health Department thirty years ago when Jill Hall was hired. Group Health and our Financial Services Department were soon to follow. Each of our departments offers over thirty Carriers that we can “shop” to find you the best coverage, rate, and customer experience. And yes, some of those Carriers include the 1-800 Companies that you see on tv, or as some of our Agents say, “We have now gone over to the Dark Side.”
The reality of it is, when you shop with us, we compare all the Carriers, the rates and the risks for you, so that you don’t have to. No one wants to shop for insurance, and they don’t want to do it by flipping from website to website. An Independent Broker makes sure to educate and discuss options so that you can make the right decision for you – and if you have questions, we are here to answer them. No robotic phone trees or being transferred to East Asia- we live right here in your community. You see us at your community events, your local coffee shop, and churches. Our children attend local daycares and schools right alongside your children and grandchildren, and there’s a good chance we may even be neighbors!
You know that you can approach us on a Saturday at Walmart and let us know that you need to file a homeowners claim because the storm last night blew a tree onto your garage, or if out at a local restaurant, just stop by to say hello and ask if we do Medicare insurance. We are right here in your community, we are approachable, we have options, and hopefully we have answers. And at Landmark Insurance, we are truly the Broker who is “Large Enough to serve you, Small enough to care!”
