Definition of "Twisting"
Most generally, twisting in insurance is regarded as an unfair trade policy or practice. Twisting means a life insurance policy holder’s misrepresentation on behalf of an insurance broker or agent. Through manipulative persuasion, the latter intends to convince their client to cancel and buy a new insurance policy at their company. On the other hand, churning in finance implies that the switch to a new policy occurs at the same company. Yet, it still doesn’t serve the client’s interests.
The definition of twisting in layman’s terms
Think of twisting as a “bait and switch” tactic. As the word indicates, we deal with a distorted aspect of reality or a dishonest strategy to achieve one’s objectives. An agent strives to sway you to move your insurance over to them by nullifying your existing policy and transferring the new one to their agency. However, they will resort to misinformation, fraud, and lies. In fact, the recent insurance coverage barely differs from the former.
These crooked agents’ attitude is questionable and highly unethical. To combat misinformation, institutions adapted the following preventive measures. Once a customer intends to change their life insurance, it’s standard procedure to fill out a form stating and acknowledging the pros and cons of why they chose that particular new policy.
Measures against twisting
First and foremost, twisting is illegal. For this reason, most US states adapted laws outlining full disclosure of applicable comparative information on existing insurance policies. These laws may notify the insurance company that issued the existing policy to allow it to respond to the agent’s proposal. The Insurance Fraud Prevention Act offers protection for clients against financial wrongdoings. In addition, they require agents to provide transparency when trying to persuade their customers to switch policies.
Conclusion
The insurance industry can have certain pitfalls in store, just like the miscellaneous labyrinth of real estate finance. Don’t fall victim to twisting! Before leaving your present insurance company in favor of a brand new policy at another firm, learn about its advantages, benefits, and disadvantages!
Popular Insurance Terms
Life insurance distribution system under which the state underwrites and sells life insurance to any resident of Wisconsin who makes application. ...
Investment strategy that advocates the transfer of amounts from one category of investment to another category according to a perception of how each of these categories of investments will ...
Covers losses resulting from the malfunction of boilers and machinery. Most property insurance policies exclude these losses, which is why a separate boiler and machinery policy or a ...
Changing state of the economy associated with changes in human wants and desires such that losses or gains occur. Dynamic changes are not insurable. ...
Number of bits a modem can receive or send per second. ...
Property and/or liability coverage for a municipality. Municipalities are responsible for maintenance of through ways as well as a myriad of public services. Liability insurance for ...
Endorsement to a scheduled property floater that provides named perils coverages for props, costumes, and other materials that might be used by a theatrical company. Coverage is provided ...
Assets of an insurer that are due and payable in the current year but have yet to be received by the insurer. ...
Section in some property insurance contracts that eliminates further coverage for buildings after they have collapsed from causes other than fire or explosion. For example, fire coverage ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.