Following our recent press release,, many of you asked for additional details about the Western Asset Protection and Brokers Alliance partnership. We created the FAQ below to answer the most common questions. Still wondering about something? Make sure to reach out! We look forward to helping you take advantage of our expanded service package.
Q. How does this joint partnership work? Are you merging or remaining as separate companies?
A. Western Asset Protection and Brokers Alliance will remain separate companies while serving the same agents. Complementary product lines will target clients from the time they begin to consider retirement and forward, tailored to their specific financial planning and insurance needs.
Western Asset Protection is one of the top Medicare insurance agencies in the nation in production, setting an exceptional standard with service, technology and innovation. Brokers Alliance is one of the leading life and annuity brokerages in the nation with premier training, technology and agent support.
Brokers Alliance (BA) will serve as an extension of Western Asset Protection (WAP) for life and annuities, and WAP will serve as an extension of BA for Medicare products.
Q. How is this joint collaboration between Brokers Alliance and WAP different than if I contracted with both WAP and BA individually?
A. If an agent originates at BA and needs Medicare insurance support, that agent will remain in BA’s hierarchy but will receive training, service and support through Western Asset Protection. If an agent originates at WAP, and requires life or annuity product assistance, the agent will remain in WAP’s hierarchy and receive support from both WAP and BA for various aspects of the sales process.
Q. How can WAP agents tap into Brokers Alliance services?
A. Agents can call Kristi DeWitt-Quintero at (602)955-5353 ext.308 at WAP first to understand what the type of case is, if it’s something she can quote and assist with, or if the case requires more advanced support from BA directly.
Q. How will the commission structure work? Who will be sending commission checks?
A. Commissions are typically paid directly by both Medicare insurance health plans and life and annuity insurance carriers. On the occasion that a commission needs to be paid out, both BA and WAP are equipped to pay commissions. WAP would pay Medicare commissions, BA would pay life.
Q. Do I need to be appointed and contracted with both companies?
A. One contract per agent is needed for each insurance carrier with which they wish to write. That individual contract will name both BA and WAP.
Q. Where do I send quote requests?
A. Life and annuity quote requests for agents who are working with WAP can work with Kristi DeWitt-Quintero (602-966-5353 ext. 308 or Life@WesternAssetProtection.com) or contact BA directly (at Louis.Messina@BrokersAlliance.com). Medicare supplement quotes can be run by downloading WAP’s quote tool on the Apple App Store by searching “Western Asset” (available now) or by going to Google Play and searching “Western Asset” (available 8/5/2016) or by contacting JoAnne Huff at Western Asset Protection at (602) 955-5353 ext. 292 (JoAnne@WesternAssetProtection.com).
Q. What is the workflow for back-office underwriting and other follow-up?A. All life and annuity back-office support will run through BA. Brokers will also receive added support from a dedicated case management at WAP. All Medicare insurance will be supported by WAP.
Q. What tools are available to help me sell life insurance and annuities?
A. Both BA and WAP have extensive online quoting and sales tools, with online training as well as in-person training. Both offices are located in the Phoenix area and both BA and WAP welcome local agents to set appointments or stop by for any individual support they require.
Q. Are there any incentives for cross-selling or placing more than one product line through WAP and Brokers Alliance?
A. If earning more money by helping one client with more than one need is an incentive, then YES!
Q. Who do I contact to learn more?
A. Brokers Alliance – Eric Palmer at 800-290-7226 ext. 103
Western Asset Protection – Kristi DeWitt-Quintero at 602-955-5353 ext. 308
