Working with an Insurance Broker is Policyholder's Choice

An insurance broker is an intermediary – like an agent – between a customer and an
insurance company. Physicians may wonder why some colleagues use the services of a broker when they can have direct access to ISMIE’s professional staff, products and services. Actually, it is a policyholder’s choice whether or not to work with a broker.

ISMIE’s partnership with brokers has evolved over the years. Before the mid-1990s ISMIE was a “direct writer,” initiating and maintaining direct relationships with its policyholders, and did not accept business through a broker.

By the mid-1990s, more than 30 companies were writing medical liability insurance in Illinois. At this time, an increasing number of physicians, including ISMIE policyholders, began to use brokers to shop for insurance coverage. To accommodate ISMIE insureds and prospective insureds, ISMIE agreed to accept business from brokers.

As long as policyholders choose to use brokers, ISMIE will accommodate that choice. All ISMIE policyholders, whether their business is direct or through a broker, can be assured they will receive the best possible price, coverage and ISMIE’s unequalled physician-first service.

To access a document of frequently asked questions about brokers, go to www.ismie.com,
or call the Division of Underwriting at 312-782-1654, or toll-free at 800-782-4767.