Broker Academy, a new series of meetings and training courses for insurance brokers

Both events gathered nearly 100 representatives of brokerage firms from all over Poland. The meetings were held in Dźwirzyno, in the north of Poland, and Zakopane, in the south. Brokers learned about new products and tools dedicated to serving policyholders and group clients.

Of particular interest was the strategic partnership between the two Insurance Companies and the bundling of the insurers’ products into a combined portfolio.

- For a few years now, Open Life’s group insurance products have included additional contracts provided as health packages by TU Zdrowie. This partnership, and this synergy, makes it possible for us to embody on a daily basis the watchword of this year’s Broker Academy, “From Health to Life.” As a result, our clients enjoy not only a benefit payment from Open Life in the event of, for example, a serious illness or accident, but also complete the entire diagnostic or rehabilitation process cashless. The life and health insurance bundling is the future of the corporate client market, and we at Open Life have already been on this path to growth for quite some time - says Michał Jakubowski, director of the Group Insurance Sales Department at Open Life TU Życie S.A.

- The last two years have brought a lot of changes both in terms of voluntary health insurance and life insurance. The COVID-19 pandemic has directly affected product solutions, but also the aspects of servicing the insureds and the policyholders. Fully aware that we are now operating in a different environment compared to just a few years ago, we have readied the organization to deliver business goals efficiently and at the top level of service. The pandemic has also had its toll on the health of most Poles, a fact to keep in mind as we design not only medical but also life insurance plans. During the Broker Academy, we also pointed out that as regards Clients, very often the same person is responsible for the area of life and health, so we have a very good chance to bring up both issues in our talks - says Bernard Kucharski, TU Zdrowie’s Deputy Sales Director responsible for cooperation with Intermediaries.

The discussion and the opportunity to learn more about the industry, the people and the issues involved were an important part of both academies. The topics addressed included the availability of health care services as part of the public health care system and challenges for the commercial insurance market, in terms of the growing demand for medical services with an insufficient supply of physicians.

Participants also expressed interest in the synergies between group life and health insurance, as well as system solutions and tools that TU Zdrowie and Open Life were preparing for brokers and their clients.

During the academy, brokers took part in training sessions on assessing and analyzing the parameters of health plans with a special focus on aspects of benefit functionality and accessibility.

- The Broker Academy turned out to be a jackpot. The meetings attracted a lot of interest from the brokerage community, and were a good opportunity to make it clear to brokers why they should recommend our deals. Direct contact and informed discussion proved that we are a reliable and trustworthy business partner. We will certainly continue to hold such meetings in the future -  adds Michał Jakubowski.

- In the course of both meetings, we found out how much we missed face-to-face meetings and discussions about important things happening in the market in the recent “pandemic” time. Besides the formal and training part, we enjoyed a lot of engaging behind-the-scenes talks. Many people expressed interest in continuing discussions at individual meetings and workshops, which makes us very pleased, for we wanted the Academy to be, above all, an inspiration for further operational activities - Bernard Kucharski concludes.

The need to discuss ongoing developments and their impact on the industry has been a common conclusion for both events. Such meetings are an opportunity for organizers to present their products, but also a time to listen to brokers and understand the challenges they face. For the brokerage community, on the other hand, there is the benefit of gaining a better product understanding, learning about new products, but also about ways to use tools to support sales and build rapport.

Both companies have announced that further editions of the Broker Academy will be organized in other regions of Poland in the not-too-distant future.