Questions to Ask Benefits Broker
Essential questions to help you evaluate benefits brokers, understand their services, and ensure you find the right partner for your employee benefits needs.
1What services do you provide and what's included in your broker services?
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What services do you provide and what's included in your broker services?
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Why this works
Clarifies the scope of services and helps you understand what the broker will handle versus what you'll need to manage yourself.
2What's your experience with companies of our size and industry?
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What's your experience with companies of our size and industry?
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Why this works
Shows relevant experience and helps you understand if the broker has experience with similar companies and understands your industry's needs.
3What's your approach to benefits strategy and planning?
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What's your approach to benefits strategy and planning?
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Why this works
Reveals their strategic approach and helps you understand how they develop benefits strategies and what planning process they use.
4What are your fees and how are you compensated?
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What are your fees and how are you compensated?
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Why this works
Shows cost structure and helps you understand how the broker is paid and what fees you'll be responsible for.
5What are your relationships with insurance carriers and how do you leverage them?
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What are your relationships with insurance carriers and how do you leverage them?
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Why this works
Reveals carrier relationships and helps you understand what leverage the broker has with insurance companies and how they use it.
6What are your technology tools and how do you support benefits administration?
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What are your technology tools and how do you support benefits administration?
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Why this works
Shows technology capabilities and helps you understand what tools and systems the broker provides for benefits management.
7What are your communication and reporting processes?
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What are your communication and reporting processes?
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Why this works
Reveals communication style and helps you understand how the broker communicates with you and what reporting you'll receive.
8What are your compliance and regulatory support services?
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What are your compliance and regulatory support services?
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Why this works
Shows compliance expertise and helps you understand what support the broker provides for regulatory compliance and legal requirements.
9What are your employee education and communication services?
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What are your employee education and communication services?
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Why this works
Reveals employee support and helps you understand what education and communication services the broker provides for your employees.
10What are your claims advocacy and support services?
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What are your claims advocacy and support services?
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Why this works
Shows claims support and helps you understand what assistance the broker provides when employees have claims issues.
11What are your renewal and negotiation processes?
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What are your renewal and negotiation processes?
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Why this works
Reveals renewal approach and helps you understand how the broker handles renewals and what negotiation strategies they use.
12What are your benchmarking and market analysis capabilities?
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What are your benchmarking and market analysis capabilities?
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Why this works
Shows market expertise and helps you understand what benchmarking and market analysis the broker provides to help you stay competitive.
13What are your wellness and health management programs?
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What are your wellness and health management programs?
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Why this works
Reveals wellness support and helps you understand what wellness programs and health management services the broker offers.
14What are your retirement and financial wellness services?
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What are your retirement and financial wellness services?
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Why this works
Shows retirement support and helps you understand what retirement planning and financial wellness services the broker provides.
15What are your data analytics and reporting capabilities?
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What are your data analytics and reporting capabilities?
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Why this works
Reveals data capabilities and helps you understand what analytics and reporting the broker provides to help you make informed decisions.
16What are your client references and success stories?
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What are your client references and success stories?
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Why this works
Shows track record and helps you understand what results the broker has achieved for other clients and what success stories they can share.
17What are your team structure and who will be working on our account?
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What are your team structure and who will be working on our account?
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Why this works
Reveals team composition and helps you understand who will be working on your account and what expertise they bring.
18What are your response times and availability for support?
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What are your response times and availability for support?
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Why this works
Shows availability and helps you understand how quickly the broker responds to questions and what support you can expect.
19What are your growth plans and how do you stay current with benefits trends?
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What are your growth plans and how do you stay current with benefits trends?
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Why this works
Reveals future focus and helps you understand how the broker stays current with benefits trends and what growth plans they have.
20What makes you different from other benefits brokers?
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What makes you different from other benefits brokers?
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Why this works
Shows unique value and helps you understand what sets this broker apart from other options and why you should choose them.
Best Practices for Benefits Broker Selection
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Focus on Experience and Expertise
Ask about their experience with companies like yours and their expertise in your industry to ensure they understand your specific needs.
Understand Service Scope
Clarify what services are included and what you'll need to handle yourself to ensure you have realistic expectations about the relationship.
Assess Technology and Support
Ask about technology tools, communication processes, and support services to ensure you'll have the resources you need to manage benefits effectively.
Question Sequences
The Service Understanding Sequence
The Experience Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Focus Only on Cost
While cost is important, focus on the value and services provided. A cheaper broker might not provide the support you need.
Don't Ignore Technology
Make sure the broker has modern technology tools and systems to support your benefits administration and employee experience.
Don't Skip References
Ask for client references and success stories to understand what results the broker has achieved for other companies.