Eastbridge Survey: Benefit Brokers Gain Voluntary Market Share in 2011

Sales of voluntary insurance products rose in 2011 to $5.5 billion in premium, fueled chiefly by the largest producer channel, benefit brokers, according to a new report.

Eastbridge Consulting Group Inc., Avon, Conn., disclosed this finding in its 2011 U.S. Worksite/Voluntary Sales Report. The study estimates sales for the entire voluntary industry, with detailed data on the performance of more than 60 worksite marketing carriers, both group (voluntary) and individual (worksite) carriers/products.

The benefit broker channel generated about $3 billion in new sales, an 11% increase over 2010 sales. The benefit broker’s share of voluntary sales now stands at 55%, up from 52% last year.