Our Compensation and the TIS Promise

For most of our services, we are compensated by commission paid to us by the insurance companies we represent. Average commissions generally range anywhere from 1% on large group health insurance to 15% on property coverages. Life insurance commissions are typically higher.

Like almost all industries, the insurance industry has traditionally awarded its sales force with performance incentives. Accordingly, in addition to commissions, we are eligible for profit sharing from many of our carriers, known in the industry as “Contingency Commissions.” These commissions are contingent upon several factors, most predominantly premium growth and profitability (profitability calculations are based on loss ratios, i.e., the amount of claims paid by the insurance company for business written by us relative to the amount of premiums generated from our sales).

The Controversy

We have become aware that many of our publicly traded competitors, known as “National Brokers”, including Marsh, Willis, and AON, have begun criticizing these Contingency Commissions on the basis that such incentives create a conflict of interest between Independent Insurance Agents, like TIS, and our clients. In fact, they claim, because of this conflict of interest, they have decided to no longer receive this type of compensation.

However, for many years, these National Brokers gladly received Contingency Commissions. Why the change? Because serious charges were brought against these National Brokers alleging they were in fact manipulating the system and engaged in fraudulent activities such as presenting inflated quotations and demanding that insurance carriers play along by either refusing to quote the insurance or intentionally inflating premiums.

On October 14, 2004, the Attorney General of New York filed a complaint against Marsh. The result? Marsh paid an $850,000,000 penalty. Thereafter, AON paid $190,000,000 and Willis paid $50,000,000.

The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America Position

“To suggest that incentive compensation should be ended because a few bad actors abuse it is like saying we should ban college athletics because some programs may cheat,” says Big “I” CEO Robert A. Rusbuldt. “The goal of the investigation should be to prosecute those alleged to have committed crimes or engaged in illegal activities. That is exactly what Attorney General Spitzer is doing, and we applaud him. There is no place in the insurance industry for unlawful conduct, whether it is related to compensation issues or anything else. We want there to be responsible reforms to address real issues, not theoretical problems.”

For full coverage, please click here.

The TIS Position and Promise

TIS has a heritage of putting the needs of our clients first, and we are committed to continuing this heritage. This principle of Clients First is a core value upon which our company is based and from which all other values flow.

To affirm this commitment, TIS, its owners, directors, officers, and employees make the following promise:  

  • In every instance, we will deal honestly with you, put your needs in front of our own, and pursue your best interests when dealing with third parties, including the insurance carriers we represent.
  • When selecting insurance carriers from which to request proposals, we will not consider, nor take into account in any way, possible Contingency Commissions which may be earned as a result of our dealings with any carrier.
  • We will provide to you all competitive proposals which are received by us from the various carriers and make our recommendation based on what is best for you.
  • We will provide to you, upon request, the amount of compensation we receive from all sources as a result of handling your account.
  • We will provide to you, upon request, copies of any Contingency Agreement which we are a party to with any insurance carrier providing coverage to you.

The TIS PROMISE was issued in response to allegations of price fixing and other wrongs committed by the largest brokers in our industry. It was distributed to all of our commercial clients so that each knows TIS has always believed we grow and succeed by serving the interests of our clients. Period.