Chapter 5- Methods of Sale in South Africa Flashcards

1
Q

List the 4 different sales channel through which insurance products can be sold? (4)

A
  • Brokers
  • Company agents
  • Direct response marketing
  • Bancassurance
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Describe the broker’s sales channel? (2)

A

• Independent brokers are self-employed brokers who do not represent any one particular office, and will have sales contracts with a number of insurers
o Commission is paid directly to the broker’

• Corporate brokers are companies that have been established as brokerages and are often owned by a bank.
o Favours specific insurers where the insurer and the bank have cross shareholdings
o Insurer pays commission to the brokerage, which in turn remunerates its sales staff

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Describe company agents sales channel? (3)

A

• Commissioned agents are employed by a life office and mostly are only permitted to sell products of that office for commission

o General agents are commission agents who are allowed to sell products of a limited number of specified other insurers in terms of agreements between the insurers

• Salaried agents do not sell on commission but on fixed salary with performance bonuses (e.g. in worksite marketing)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Describe direct response marketing sales channel? (4)

A
  • Media advertisements
  • Direct mail
  • Telesales – can allow for sales process to be completed immediately
  • Internet sales – becoming increasingly popular
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Describe Bancassurance sales channel? (2)

A

• Selling of banking and insurance products through the same channel (usually to bank customers)

• E.g. banks insist on life insurance for mortgage borrowers, personal loan holders, credit card holders
o Borrowers are not obliged to buy insurance from the lender – but many do so as it is an easy option

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Describe the challenges associated with multiple sales channels? (2)

A

• Conflict between channels
o Independent brokers need assurance that their client information will not be given to company sales staff, especially if the broker no longer supports the company
o Direct response canvassing may compete with brokers or agents when aimed at the same target market

• Experience differs  challenges for underwriting and pricing
o E.g. if brokers’ business has better experience  they can place the business elsewhere
o  provide different prices for different channels
o OR provide brokers and their clients with additional services that will justify the higher price

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Describe the general regulation and principles underlying commission payments? (5)

A

• Commission paid to brokers and company agents are regulated under the Long-term Insurance Act

• Principle of “equivalence of reward”:
o total sales cost must be materially in accordance with the maximum commission regulation

  • Companies often pay lower commission to agents, but then pay production and persistency bonuses not directly related to sale of the specific product  BUT principle of equivalence of reward must be adhered to
  • Fee-based structures where clients pay a professional fee for the adviser’s time is becoming more common
  • Commission is specific to the insurance industry. Unit trust and linked investment service providers (LISP) have “advice fees” which are not regulated
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Describe the three different methods of paying commission? (7)

A

Upfront commission:
• Commission is paid in full over the first number of years of the contract, based on the full contract term
• Calculated using premium and term of policy
• Single or recurring premium policies

As-and-when commission:
• Commission is a percentage of every regular (monthly) premium and is payable when the premium is received, with payments continuing throughout the full policy term
• Recurring premium policies only

Trail commission:
• Commission is a percentage of FUND VALUE with payments continuing throughout the full policy term
• Aggregated trail commission paid may not exceed the maximum aggregated as-and-when commission that can be paid (regulation)
• Single or recurring premium policies

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly