Afni News

What Are the Responsibilities of a Bilingual Insurance Agent?

November 23, 2023 in

As an insurance agent, you will have a handful of responsibilities. But there is nothing to worry about. This article will help you figure out what are the responsibilities of a bilingual insurance agent so you can be prepared for your new job.

Thanks to the multicultural society, the role of a bilingual insurance agent is increasingly crucial for the industry. Here, you will learn about the day-to-day tasks while having this pivotal title.

Let’s find out whether you have what it takes to be a top insurance agent at Afni.

The Role of an Insurance Agent

The insurance industry provides individuals with protection against unforeseen risks. As societies in the US continue to grow and get more diverse, the role of bilingual insurance agents is becoming more vital.

As a bilingual insurance agent at Afni, you will be a mediator, making the insurance policies and regulations easily accessible to individuals from various linguistic backgrounds.

Job requirements for bilingual insurance agents

If you want to join the Afni family and work as a bilingual insurance agent, you will have to have the following qualifications:

• At least 18 years old
• Excellent written and spoken knowledge of the second language required in the job ad (typically English-Spanish language pair)
• GED or high school diploma
• Permit to work in the US
• Communicative skills
• Computer skills
• Ability to multitask, time management, and work in a fast-paced environment
• Working experience in sales is a plus

Before you start working with clients, you will have to become a licensed insurance specialist. Your bilingual employment includes a paid training program, so you have the knowledge to work as an insurance specialist.

What Are the Responsibilities of a Bilingual Insurance Agent?

The responsibilities of a bilingual insurance agent are diverse. They can start as simple as answering clients’ questions and continue with policy documentation, underwriting, or insurance claims handling.

Customer engagement and sales

Most of the time, you will find yourself advising clients on their insurance options. This includes active listening and understanding their needs. All information will help you find the perfect policy for the client. With every initial or follow-up contact with the client, you must assess and address their needs.

The communication between you and the client can be in person or by using other communication methods like phone and email. At Afni, most of the insurance specialists are, in fact, sales representatives. They are required to take inbound calls.

The calls are typically from warm leads, and your job will be to convert them into insurance sales. You will have to build strong relationships and help the customers pick the best insurance policy.

At Afni, insurance policies that bilingual agents typically specialize in are:

• Home Insurance
• Renters Insurance
• Landlord Insurance
• Fire Insurance
• Flood Insurance
• Earthquake Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Business and Commercial Insurance

Another responsibility will be to compare different insurance policies on clients' requests. For a successful comparison, you must know the pros and cons of each policy so the client can make an informed decision.

Explaining policies

Working in the customer service of the insurance sector, you must be able to explain the policies to the client. During the interviews for insurance specialists, candidates often ask, are there challenges in being a bilingual insurance agent? One of the greatest challenges is using simple terms to explain complex insurance policies.

You must be prepared to answer all kinds of questions. Some common questions clients ask are related to the following:

• Coverage type and amount
• Premiums
• Renewal periods
• Life circumstances that require insurance coverage changes
• Payment methods and deadlines
• Underwriting process lengths
• Exclusions
• Deductibles

Policy documentation and underwriting

Other responsibilities for bilingual insurance agents may include policy documentation and underwriting. Before the insurance company accepts the client's application for coverage, they must go through the process of underwriting.

If you are responsible for the underwriting, you will have to process applications. Underwriting means you must calculate the amount of risk the client presents to the insurance company. According to the company’s criteria, you will have to assess the coverage eligibility of the applicant.

Your main responsibilities as an underwriter will be:

• Figuring out the most suitable policy and conditions
• Looking for solutions to reduce frequent policy claims
• Analyzing the applicant’s personal, financial, and medical details

Claims handling and support

Another bilingual role in the insurance sector is being an insurance claims handler. For this job position, your responsibility will be to manage claims from the start until settlement. But do bilingual agents handle claims differently?

In short, your responsibilities are the same as your colleagues who speak English only. Your duties will include:

• Assisting clients in the process of making claims
• Gathering details about the insurance claim
• Issuing forms about the claim
• Investigating claims validity
• Examining whether the insurance policy covers the damage
• Negotiating with third parties about the claims compensation and outcome

Bilingual-Specific Responsibilities

Wondering what are the responsibilities of a bilingual insurance agent and how they differ from the responsibilities of colleagues who speak one language? To understand that entirely, you will have to look from different aspects.

So, what are the key duties of a bilingual insurance agent? Here are the most important ones and the reasons you will be earning more money than your monolingual counterparts.

Multilingual client interaction

By communicating in the client's preferred language, you will be able to explain the insurance policy to them effectively. Your responsibility will be to provide an accurate translation of the contract and claims. In addition, you will ensure your clients are aware of their rights and responsibilities after signing the contract.

With effective communication, you will minimize the risk of misunderstandings and misinterpretation. But, you must use your language proficiency to explain everything in a clear and concise manner.

Cultural sensitivity

Being a bilingual insurance agent isn’t only about speaking two languages. You will have to understand the diverse cultural practices of your current and potential clients.

The cultural competency might help you build better trust and loyalty with the clients. Knowing the second language fluently, but also their culture will help you adapt your communication style and recognize cultural nuances in insurance needs.

Benefits of Working As a Bilingual Insurance Agent

With the responsibilities of a bilingual insurance agent being discussed, you must assess whether it is worth it being one. To do that, you must understand the benefits of holding the job title.

In the insurance sector, everything evolves around your client base. Only because you can speak two languages gives you a head start. You can have a broader client base, enhance your marketability, and increase your sales opportunities.

If you work on commission, you might be able to close deals that monolingual agents can’t. By speaking a language your clients understand, you will build trust and potentially make more insurance sales.

On the other hand, even if you don’t work on commissions, you still will be making more money. Legally, at Afni, they must pay you a bilingual pay differential.

Being bilingual improves your overall communication skills. By knowing two or more languages, you may be more adaptable in diverse situations, which can help you communicate better.

Ultimately, if you start working as a bilingual insurance specialist, you have the opportunity to advance in your career. If you are good enough, you will be a valuable asset to the insurance company and may even be considered for promotions.

Become an Insurance Specialist At Afni

Afni is aware of your vital role as a bilingual insurance agent. We are a company that nurtures multilingual talent in the insurance industry and sees a bright future for the industry.

Before your first day, Afni will ensure you know what are the responsibilities of a bilingual insurance agent so you have a clear picture of your everyday tasks. We offer much more than a steady job with full-time schedules.

Our salaries are competitive, and you will be earning a $1 per hour differential. You can also make a nice monthly bonus with the referral program.

If you want to continue your education, you might be eligible to get a yearly tuition reimbursement of up to $5,250. Afni wants you to grow and accelerate your career path. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to become a part of our Afni family. Check out the open job positions and show why you are the right person for the job.

About the Author

Samantha is the Recruitment Marketing Manager for Afni and brings a wealth of knowledge and tips for job seekers. She holds a bachelor's degree in public relations and marketing from Mount Saint Vincent University as well as a masters degree in digital marketing and advertising from Liberty University.