FAQs
General
Insurance is a local business. How do you know my
market?
Digital has benefits consultants licensed to operate in every
state; and we work with the same carrier contacts as you. We have
experience in more than 500 markets nationwide, and we have
representatives located in key regions of the country while our
local market presence continues to grow.
How are you prepared to address health care
reform?
Digital is prepared to address health care reform and structural
changes in the marketplace in a way that sets our firm apart from
other advisors. We already have sophisticated assessment tools and
access to data from tens of thousands of accounts and hundreds of
thousands of individuals. Combined with expertise about rate
structures, subsidies and tax credits, Digital will become a true
partner with our customers by guiding businesses through major
strategic decisions and helping employees make the right decisions
for themselves and their families.
If you continue to expand, will your business model
eventually put small brokers out of business?
Quite the contrary. As market dynamics change, our partnership
model offers an opportunity for small agencies to grow. The
complexities presented by health care reform will demand enhanced
services, more timely communication and greater efficiencies. Most
firms cannot afford to invest in the technology and resources that
will be required to perform effectively as our industry evolves and
commissions shrink. A partnership with Digital delivers the
necessary tools and information, and frees up agents' time to focus
on more profitable business. We believe a go-it-alone strategy will
become increasingly difficult for brokers unwilling or unable to
invest in their business.
How is Digital able to serve this market segment
successfully when it presents so many challenges for traditional
agencies and brokers?
We founded the company to address the employee benefits needs of
the underserved small business segment. Often traditional brokers
don't focus on small groups because they lack the resources to do
it efficiently. In 1990 we began building our unique technology
platform, relationship management tools and expertise. We grew
rapidly by partnering with brokers to manage their smallest
accounts, freeing them to focus on larger companies. We now
represent more than 400,000 insureds and serve more than 20,000
employers, achieving marketplace leadership in this arena. The
current economy and the advent of health care reform make the
infrastructure we've built tremendously relevant today.
Tell me more about the services that Digital's customers
receive at no extra cost.
Digital provides a collection of services that small business
customers will not find elsewhere. In addition to strategic
planning throughout the year, our Benefits Resource Center - ideal
for businesses with no or minimal HR staff - delivers reliable,
practical tools and state-specific information to address many of
your HR needs 24/7. Digital's Customer Advocate Center is a huge
time-saver for you, with representatives to answer employees'
questions about claims, plan eligibility, provider networks and
more. Another asset: employee access to our Wellness Management
Center, encouraging healthy lifestyles that lead to lower insurance
premiums. Behind the scenes, Digital has robust support teams
dedicated to your customers' business and improving our service to
you.
Partnerships
Every dollar coming in the door right now is precious.
Help me understand how partnering with Digital will benefit our
firm if we have to split commissions.
In an era of frozen or shrinking commissions and health care
reform, to remain competitive, most agencies need to focus on
larger, more profitable groups. Yet due to the demands of their
current business, many can't find the resources to do this.
Companies that partner with us have analyzed the cost/benefits
regarding how much time it takes to service their smallest accounts
versus the return on that investment. We have helped hundreds of
firms deploy a segmentation strategy, positioning them for future
success. They find that their smallest accounts drain time, energy
and resources that would produce a better return if agents were
free to focus on larger accounts.
Why is Digital a good choice as a company to partner
with?
Digital Insurance is the nation's leading employee benefits
agency specializing in insurance for small business and mid-sized
companies. Because we provide the outstanding products and services
that employers desire -- we attract a lot of customers. No one else
has our size or resources, or does what we do. Collectively, the
volume of business from the companies we represent wields
significant buying power and clout with insurance carriers.
In your partnership arrangements, how do you determine
what size customers you manage?
We don't; you do. And it varies across the board. We customize
the relationship based on your needs - and your clients'. Few
arrangements are identical. Among the variables: the size of
accounts we manage (by number of lives or annual revenue),
commission split, and whether we operate under the Digital brand or
your own. Some prefer to sell specific blocks of business for a
cash infusion; most desire some type of segmentation strategy,
where we manage specific accounts based on a predetermined
size.
How do you transition accounts?
Once you engage in a partnership, our experience doing similar
migrations in more than 500 markets helps ensure a smooth
transition of accounts. Our process includes a comprehensive
communications strategy to generate support from your staff, build
confidence with your customers and keep your outstanding reputation
intact.
Acquisitions
I'm considering retirement, but my options seem limited.
What can Digital offer me?
The first question on any seller's mind is "What is my agency
worth?" Valuation practices are subject to numerous factors,
including agency size and market fluctuations, but they can range
from one-and-a-half times annual commissions to substantially more.
Ultimately, however, the valuation process is pretty
straightforward. While some prefer an immediate infusion of
capital, most sales occur over a period of time with the principals
aligning with Digital during a transitional phase. We can share
financial pro formas with you to demonstrate the advantages of each
approach.
Selling is a tough decision. In addition to financial issues,
prospects are concerned about protecting their customers - and
employees. It may reassure you to know that Digital has grown in
this challenging market precisely because our robust suite of
services enhances the customer experience. Our continued success
depends on protecting the relationships you've cultivated. Also,
when buying a firm, we often hire its employees, providing job
security for valued members of your staff and continuity for your
customers.
I love selling, but have concerns about managing my
agency with so many industry changes. Does Digital have any
opportunities for people like me?
In today's market, we've discovered some top-performing agents
want to continue selling, but desire to leave behind the hassle of
managing accounts and an agency. They need tools to grow, but lack
the capital to invest in technology. Digital offers an intriguing
solution through its Agency Acquisition Model. These leaders join
our company, gaining greater liquidity and reduced financial risk,
while securing operational support, improved carrier clout and the
ability to deliver premier services. There is unlimited income
potential through upfront and ongoing vested payments for previous
efforts, incentive to reward retention and new sales, and lifetime
vested commissions for past and future production. The best
candidates for this arrangement are motivated entrepreneurs with
small firms who excel at sales and want to remain in business for
10 or more years.
Digital Insurance Overview
Digital Insurance is the nation's leading employee benefits
agency specializing in insurance for small businesses and mid-sized
companies. Our national footprint, technology, resources and
benefits expertise help customers control costs and simplify the
health care journey. We level the playing field for employers and
employees, delivering the same advantages experienced by large
organizations. Respected for its industry leadership and responsive
service by knowledgeable professionals, Digital's innovative
solutions empower customers to navigate the complexities of health
care reform and guide individuals to become better health care
consumers.
Contact Information
Digital Insurance
400 Galleria Parkway, Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30339
770.250.2900
www.digitalinsurance.com