Any tips dealing with health insurance agents

[global expat]

I bought my first private insurance for the first time in May last year . The agent only presented me with one “basic” plan, which was the most expensive option available.  Upon checking the provider’s website yesterday, I discovered significantly cheaper plans.  This experience reinforces my belief that prioritizing commission over customer needs is unethical.

  Is it morally right for insurance agents and brokers to exclusively promote the most expensive plans, withholding information about more affordable options?  

 

I do not trust them. How can I protect myself from potentially unethical agents in the future?

[NumbNut]

Luigi Mangione has a few tips for you

[scubascuba3]

Next time do thorough research before signing up

[global expat]

6 hours ago, NumbNut said:

 

I agree man. You cannot trust these people. 

 

What do you look for when shopping for health insurance? 

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

An insurance agent's primary duty is to his or her principal, the insurance company. Agents have no obligation to provide advice. They often only know the features of the insurance product or products that their principal offers and cannot provide options from other insurers and can only explain the features of the products they sell.

 

Under the law of agency, the principal of an independent insurance broker is their client, not the insurer. The broker will therefore have an obligation to act in the interest of the person seeking insurance coverage. Brokers can provide options from several insurers and can explain differences in coverage and claims-paying attitudes.

 

I would suggest finding an independent insurance broker that has distribution agreements with several insurers and ask that broker to provide quotes after discussing your specific needs and objectives. A good broker will be able to give you guidance and options.

 

Good luck.

[NumbNut]

2 hours ago, global expat said:

I agree man. You cannot trust these people. 

 

What do you look for when shopping for health insurance? 

I'm not insured, no plans to get insured either.

 

I've been very fortunate with my health up to now, so I reckon anything that comes up should be easily taken care of with a minimum of fuss and NO insurance agencies involved at all.

 

Good luck with your search 

[global expat]

@Etaoin Shrdlu who are good brokers you recommend? But are brokers commission driven too? They might give us plans that will give them commission. 

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

4 hours ago, global expat said:

@Etaoin Shrdlu who are good brokers you recommend? But are brokers commission driven too? They might give us plans that will give them commission. 

 

Insurance companies in Thailand compensate their distribution systems, both their own agency systems and independent insurance brokerage companies, by commission. It isn't going to be possible for the personal lines insurance buyer to do much about this.

 

Mitigating this is the fact that there isn't much variance in the commission levels paid by different insurers for the same line of coverage. Plus, there isn't anything preventing a client from discussing commission levels with their broker when reviewing options.

 

The insurance brokerage industry has changed a lot since my day. There are a lot of new players and many of them are involved in personal lines insurance. Perhaps other AN members can provide suggestions based upon their recent experience.

 

 

 

 

 

[baansgr]

On 2/11/2025 at 7:43 AM, global expat said:

I bought my first private insurance for the first time in May last year . The agent only presented me with one “basic” plan, which was the most expensive option available.  Upon checking the provider’s website yesterday, I discovered significantly cheaper plans.  This experience reinforces my belief that prioritizing commission over customer needs is unethical.

  Is it morally right for insurance agents and brokers to exclusively promote the most expensive plans, withholding information about more affordable options?  

 

I do not trust them. How can I protect myself from potentially unethical agents in the future?

Go direct.ro the insurance company and buy the plan you want however, keep in mind the agent will still get his 30% commission regardless....and yes this is the way it works 

[newbee2022]

On 2/11/2025 at 7:43 AM, global expat said:

I bought my first private insurance for the first time in May last year . The agent only presented me with one “basic” plan, which was the most expensive option available.  Upon checking the provider’s website yesterday, I discovered significantly cheaper plans.  This experience reinforces my belief that prioritizing commission over customer needs is unethical.

  Is it morally right for insurance agents and brokers to exclusively promote the most expensive plans, withholding information about more affordable options?  

 

I do not trust them. How can I protect myself from potentially unethical agents in the future?

Go always to the insurer's website. Agent's income is created by commissions. Better to sign without any agent directly with the insurance company 

[hereforgood]

I had an issue with a agent selling insurance but it wasn't trying to be sold to me. Here's the background. I worked and was on the Thai social scheme paid taxes and got my medical with the government hospital that I was registered with which was in Sriracha. I had a lot of work done at that hospital including a double hip replacement and I never had to pay one baht out of pocket. Thai government picked up the whole bill and they continue to do so. So I knew another employee that was in the same position that I was in with another company and he had the government insurance also. But he made an appointment with an insurance broker upon the broker pressuring him about needing really good insurance. Well I explained to him what I had went through and how good that government insurance is despite what many think. The agent told him it really isn't that good and doesn't cover everything. Well I was told that not only does it cover everything but if my government hospital can't do a procedure that I need they will send me to a private hospital that can and I will still be covered for that 100%. So don't let the insurance people try to push you into something you don't need or don't want ask for every option.

[WDSmart]

Don't cough at lot while filling out your application...