Kevin Paterson, sales & marketing director, Assurant Intermediary, commented: “In these challenging times it can be difficult for firms not only to find the budget for training but also to find time for staff to attend courses or seminars. Most businesses are operating at full stretch, so losing critical hours can have a major impact on achieving targets.
“Assurant Intermediary has always looked to support brokers with training tools and face-to-face sessions. The launch of our new online facility is another step forward in making it easier for brokers to increase their knowledge, explore new lines of business and become more confident in their ability to boost revenues by selling the general insurance products we provide.”
The online training facility includes multiple choice product knowledge tests and ‘at a glance’ guides across the range of general insurance products provided by Assurant Intermediary. These products include buildings and contents, mortgage and rental payment protection, income protection and landlords’ let property.
Online tests guide brokers through every element of the product, including the sales process. There is an 80% pass mark. If brokers fail the first time round, each subsequent test is completely different, ensuring a true understand the product to pass rather than just learning the answers.
Paterson concluded: “Professional competency has always been a hot topic, but it is moving further up the agenda as the Retail Distribution Review approaches. Although mortgage brokers aren’t necessarily affected by the implications of the RDR yet, it would be imprudent to ignore the wisdom of improving skills, knowledge and professionalism.
“No-one can afford to miss out on valuable income because they don’t have the skill to sell all types of products and services, and this is particularly true when it comes to selling general insurance products.”
