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2015 Best Practices Study
Key Benchmarks
Profile
Revenues
Expenses
Profitability
Employee Overview
Producer Info
Service Staff Info
Technology
Insurance Carriers
Appendix
2015 Best
Practices Study
In addition to the average results for each study group, the study provides insights on how the “best of the best”
are operating. This table will help you understand the terms used to report this information.
HEADING
REFERS TO
Average
The average results achieved by all the firms in the study group for a particular factor.
(Extreme high and low results distorting the average have been excluded.)
High
The highest results achieved in the peer group for a particular factor.
Low
The lowest results achieved in the peer group for a particular factor.
Top 25%
The average results achieved by the Top 25% of the firms in the group for that particular
factor or line item.
(The firms comprising this group will be different for each factor or line item.)
Top 25%
Profit
The average results achieved by the 25% of firms in this revenue category having the
greatest pro forma profitability as a percent of net revenues.
(The firms comprising this group
are the same for each factor or line item.)
Top 25%
Growth
The average results achieved by the 25% of firms in this revenue category experiencing the
greatest growth in net revenues.
(The firms comprising this group are the same for each factor
or line item.)
Glossary
REVENUES
(as reported for most recently completed fiscal year-end and stated as a percentage of gross revenues)
Property & Casualty:
1.
Commercial Commissions & Fees
— Commissions (both direct & agency billed) and fees earned in lieu of
commissions for the sale of commercial P&C insurance
2.
Bonds
— Commissions from the sale of all bonds (surety, fidelity, etc.)
3.
Personal Commissions
— Commissions (both direct & agency billed) from the sale of personal P&C insurance
4.
Value Added Services
— Revenues from a Worker’s Comp TPA, loss control , engineering, risk management,
consulting services, self-insurance programs, underwriting and claims services, additional carrier compensation
or reimbursements for services provided on their behalf, etc.
5.
Contingent / Bonus
— Profit sharing, bonus, and supplemental income received from insurance carriers
6.
Total P&C
— The sum of items 1 - 5
Life & Health / Financial
7.
Group Medical Commissions & Fees
— Commissions & fees from the sale of group health/medical insurance
ONLY
8.
All Other Group Commissions & Fees
— Commissions & fees from the sale of all other employee benefits
products and services, including group life, dental, disability, pension, 401(k)s, PEOs, and investment products.
Also includes any revenue from the delivery of value added services (VAS), i.e., revenues from a Benefits TPA,
HR/Wellness/other consulting services, actuarial services, risk management, cost containment, and other VAS
related to employee benefits or L&H/Financial Services.
9.
Individual Commissions & Fees
— Commissions from the sale of individual life, health, dental, disability &
investment products
10.
Bonus / Overrides
— Bonus or incentive payments paid to agency for L&H production, usually for volume,
persistency, growth, etc.
11.
Total L&H / Financial
— The sum of items 7 - 10
12.
Investments
— Income from interest, dividends, premium finance, late charges, gains/losses on sales of
marketable securities (investment type securities)