What does every employer need to know about the new State of California Partnership Program announced February 4, 2004?

The California Partnership for Long-Term Care is an innovative program of the State of California, Department of Health Services in cooperation with a select number of private insurance companies. These companies have agreed to offer high quality policies that must meet stringent requirements set by the Partnership and the State of California. These special policies are commonly called "Partnership policies".   This is the only group long-term care insurance plan, endorsed by the State of California.  The State of California is allowing this plan special incentives and enhancements.  These partnership policies are the only policies sold in California that contain a special lifetime "asset protection" feature, and now there is finally a group partnership policy.  This plan can be offered as a voluntary benefit, costing the employer nothing.  Yet, there are real Employer Costs when there is no plan offered.  Derendinger Insurance meets all broker requirements.

What is an Insurance Broker?

An Insurance Broker is an independent agent who represents the buyer, rather than the insurance company, finding the buyer the best policy through analysis of needs, financial considerations, and extensive comparison-shopping. A licensed Insurance Broker acts in the best interest of the client.

Why do I need an Insurance Broker?

Benefits packages have become an important component in attracting and retaining quality talent for any organization. Employees regard the Benefits package as part of their total compensation. An experienced Broker will tailor your plan to your company needs. Your broker of record considers your company's demographics, financial restrictions, and employee desires. After determining exactly the right match for your organization, the Broker goes shopping for the best plans and the best prices to meet your needs. Your Broker works for you. He does not work for insurance companies. He uses years of experiences, solid relationships, and simple best practices to obtain the finest program for your needs.

This service sounds expensive? How much do your services cost us?

The employer pays the broker nothing.  Our services are free to the organization. We receive payment from the provider of the plan or the insurance vendor. 

If you receive payment from a particular carrier, wouldn't you choose the carrier that paid the largest commission?

Our customers are so smart. They ask excellent questions. Commissions paid by carriers do not vary significantly. The difference in commission would not be large enough to sway our decision. What does affect our decision is your needs, the type of coverage that a carrier offers and the level of service they offer our clients. Our experience has proven that the least expensive coverage is not always the best. A carrier who requires complicated claims filing processes and does not provide a high level of service will, in the final analysis, be far more expensive than a plan provided with user-friendly procedures and exceptional customer service. Our agency has taken smaller commissions to present the best package to our clients.

What happens after the Broker and Organization agree on a benefits package?

This phase of the Broker/Client relationship is extremely important. Your new or improved benefits package has to be introduced and set into smooth motion. We stay with you through this process. We educate the staff explaining changes in their policies. We arrange for and process all the necessary paperwork that secures each employee's membership. We are there for the full transition. Benefits plans must be administrated. We are there with your benefit's administrator to streamline the process. We'll train your staff to process claims, educate your employees so that they receive maximum benefit from their plans with the least amount of confusion or effort. We make sure everything is in place, running smoothly and completely understood.

Then what? What happens if I need your services for some reason after the plan is in place?

Derendinger Insurance does not disappear. We are your broker from the day you choose to call upon us until the day you choose to leave us. We are there on the other end of a phone, we are there in person, and we are there to answer questions at any and all times that your organization needs us. We check with you regularly even if you do not have questions. We visit your site, chat with you concerning your satisfaction level. It's our job to anticipate your needs. We don't wait until there is a problem. We are your partner in a successful and exceptional benefits program.
 

Will you constantly be selling our employees or our organization new types of insurance?

Absolutely not. If your employees want to add a new line of coverage, we will investigate that line fully and present the information to Management. We do not call your employees and suggest that they add any type of insurance to their portfolio. Naturally, if an employee approaches us independently for information regarding a personal need, we will act in his best interest and according to his needs.   However, it is incumbent on a professional broker to make clients aware of new lines of insurance that offer maximum protection to employers and employees.   Ethically, we must protect the organization and its employees.

Will you be available when we need your advice or direction?

Always. A conscientious broker must be available for questions and counsel in accordance with his client's needs. You will be provided with contact numbers that will allow you to connect personally with a qualified staff member 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Should a serious emergency arise, we will be at your side to assist with compassionate and expert handling of your situation.  

Will you assist us if our organization faces a serious injury or worse?

Derendinger Insurance is broker to some high-risk groups such as public servants, Police and Fire departments. Injury and death are a painful reality in our business. Yes, we will be there to assist. We will begin the benefits payment process immediately, we will support you and your employees through difficult emotional times, and we will support the family of the employee as well. We do so with compassion, understanding, and dignity. We are there.  

We like our current plan, but it is very costly. Can you help?

Yes. Your current plan may be available at less cost without compromising the quality of the plan. We will study the market and present you with viable options for cost savings.  

Our employees react strongly to changes in their benefits programs.  How do you make change easier for them?

Change of benefits plans, however slight, can be an emotional issue for employees. We understand that these changes are best made only when necessary and only after employees have been fully educated in both the plan and the process. Benefits impact personal lives. They impact spouses, children, partners, and financial futures. Employees are reasonable. With proper education and information they accept change more easily. We take the time to make sure that every member of your staff comprehends his or her benefits fully. We consider their families as well, providing educational sessions for spouses and partners. We take the smooth transition of benefits plans very personally. We understand your staff takes it personally as well.

What about updates? Will you provide updates on legal issues, changes in service or trends within the insurance industry?

Communication between Derendinger Insurance and your organization is ongoing. We advise our clients through newsletter, personal telephone contact or scheduled visits of any changes in the industry that would impact the nature of your business or services. We stay connected. We stay in touch and we remain familiar and friendly faces.

Does the size of our organization matter to Derendinger Insurance?

No, not at all. Our agency serves small start-up organizations and companies with thousands of employees. The service quality is the same. Your business may be housed in the back end of a garage today, but tomorrow it may occupy an impressive stretch of real estate. The service level is the same. It is personal and tailored.

We want to connect with the same people when we need service. What is your employee turnover rate?

In our 45 years of business we have "retired" staff members, but we seldom lose them. Our turnover rate is extremely low, almost non-existent. We attribute this to an excellent working environment and the selection of employees who share the Agency's philosophy regarding customer service. When you call, we will know who you are. We will know what your package contains and we will know your employees. You'll connect with a voice or a face with which you are familiar and in whom you have established trust.

What qualifies you to be our Insurance Broker?

The State of California requires that Insurance professionals be licensed. Life Agents and Fire and Casualty Broker-Agents are held to strict regulations that include education level and satisfactory completion of State mandated tests. 

Derendinger Insurance has 45 years of experience in the Industry. Every member of our staff is required to hold appropriate licenses related to their position. Continuous education is required both by law and by our Agency. We cut no corners when it comes to staff qualifications and promote our employees' participation in seminars and workshops related to their profession.  More important to us than what the State requires of us, is what we at Derendinger Insurance require of ourselves. Our knowledge and skill level must be cutting edge in order to provide our customers with excellent service. Our personalized level of service is unmatched in the industry.

What are the advantages to our company in having Derendinger Insurance as our Broker of Record?

Derendinger provides your organization with exceptional service. We don't claim to provide the most outstanding customer service, we actually provide it. The advantages you will experience include:

• Personalized and tailored service that matches your business needs.

• Exceptional communication levels providing your organization with vital information and updates.

• Cost-effective programs and benefits plans that do not compromise the quality of your personal or group coverage.

• Qualified personnel with excellent backgrounds, education, and experience. Real people who base their personal reputation on your satisfaction.

• Presence: Once we enter into a partnership, we are with you for the duration. We will be as visible as you desire offering assistance and resources that benefit your organization.

  

You mention customer satisfaction and service frequently. How do you monitor customer satisfaction?

We ask our clients. Our regular customer surveys provide our clients with a means of expressing concerns, service issues, and satisfaction. The vast majority of our clients respond to our surveys. They may do so anonymously if they prefer. Our clients tell us when improvement is needed. They suggest services that would be helpful to their operations and they give us ideas to help us maintain excellent customer service levels. If a service issue arises, our clients do not have to go through a lengthy process and many different staff members to get their issue resolved. Our clients pick up the phone and call the CEO and President. Customer satisfaction issues are addressed at the highest level. They are the core of this organization.  

I'm persuaded. Who should I contact to learn more or arrange a meeting?

Call the main office at 408-252-7300. You'll receive immediate information and assistance. You may write the CEO personally at marc@Derendinger.com. You may use our online contact form if you prefer and you will be contacted promptly.