In this episode of Shoptalk, David Carothers discussed the concept of "found money" and the importance of auditing experience mods. By identifying claims that were overstated on NCCI worksheets, producers can get insurers to recalculate and issue refunds for overpaid premiums. David also delved into how agencies can add value by asking better, emotionally-driven questions to prospects, focusing on underlying issues like lost productivity, workers' comp claims, and operational risks. He warned against telemarketing agencies that pitch audit work for a 10% revenue share and emphasized that these tasks should be handled internally for maximum benefit.

Key points:

Found Money and the Power of Mod Audits

David explained how auditing experience mods for discrepancies between reported claims and actual closed claims can uncover "found money" for clients. By having NCCI recalculate the mod, agents can help clients recover overpaid premiums, creating a significant opportunity to build trust and add value.

Watch Out for Outsourced Auditors

David cautioned against agencies that pitch themselves as mod audit specialists and ask for a 10% share of account revenue. These telemarketing agencies often aim to infiltrate your book of business. Instead, he suggests learning how to perform these audits internally, which will benefit both the client and the agency.

The Right Questions Can Drive Change

David emphasized that asking open-ended questions, especially those that tap into emotional responses, is key to uncovering clients' pain points. Asking about frustrations with claims, such as workers’ comp issues, can uncover financial impacts that need to be addressed, which moves the conversation beyond just quoting policies.

Total Cost of Risk Focus Leads to Better Conversations

Instead of focusing solely on premium and coverage, David encouraged producers to address the total cost of risk. Asking questions about financial impacts, downtime, and claims frustrations helps shift the conversation to a more consultative and strategic role, ultimately positioning the producer as a trusted advisor.

Diagnostic Approach to Risk Management

Drawing parallels to the medical profession, David shared that producers should act as diagnosticians for their clients. By asking the right questions and understanding the full scope of the client’s risks, producers can move beyond transactional sales and develop deeper, long-term relationships with clients.

Why Total Cost of Risk Is the Missing Link in Marketing and Prospecting - Part 2