Who We Serve

FAQs

General

Insurance is a local business. How do you know my market?Divider Line

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?Divider Line

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?Divider Line

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?Divider Line

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.Divider Line

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.Divider Line

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?Divider Line

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?Divider Line

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?Divider Line

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?Divider Line

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?Divider Line

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