Insurance decisions don’t come with a clear roadmap. The fine print feels endless, the options look identical, and yet the consequences of choosing the wrong policy can be significant.

 

Here’s what I know for sure: selecting an insurance company can be complicated. 

Even after years in this industry—partnering with dozens of insurance companies and advising families, business owners, and professionals—I still find myself pausing when making decisions about my own coverage.
 

I’ve sat on all sides of the table: 

  • As an advisor, guiding clients through policy choices and product structures. 
  • As a daughter, filing a long-term care claim for my mom.  
  • As a mother, helping my kids navigate car, renters, health, and life insurance. 
  • As the primary income earner in my family, deciding on disability, life, and LTC coverage for myself.
     

Here’s what I’ve learned: insurance decisions don’t get easier just because you’re in the business. They get easier when you understand how to align the structure of a policy—and the company behind it—with your long-term objectives.
 

The Common Misconception

Most people assume all insurance companies are more or less the same. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Carriers operate with different structures, priorities, and planning philosophies—and those differences have real implications for clients. 

Some are mutual companies, owned by policyholders and geared toward long-term commitments. Others are stock companies, accountable to shareholders and often more influenced by short-term performance metrics. Increasingly, we’re also seeing carriers backed by private equity or structured with hybrid models.
 

None of these approaches is inherently better than the next. But the strategic fit matters. If you’re looking at a 30-year horizon, a company built for quarterly earnings may not be ideal.
 

Why This Matters More Today

The landscape has shifted. The traditional mutual model is no longer the default. We now see a growing presence of private equity-backed and publicly traded carriers, many of which are introducing volatility into an industry that was once prized for its stability. For clients with significant assets and long-term planning goals, this creates risk—not just in product performance, but in alignment.
 

The Solution: Start with Your Time Horizon

Are you solving for a 5-year bridge to retirement or a 30-year wealth transfer plan? Your answer should inform the structure of the product and the nature of the company behind it. 

  • Short-term needs: Stock carriers might offer competitive pricing and strong upfront performance. 
  • Long-term goals: Mutual carriers often bring stability, consistent dividends, and policy longevity.
     

Recently, I worked with a family that felt paralyzed trying to compare two seemingly identical policies. Once we clarified their long-term goals and unpacked how the carriers operated, the right choice became obvious. They walked away feeling informed and confident—instead of overwhelmed.
 

You deserve that same clarity.
 

If you’re unsure whether your current coverage still aligns with your goals—or if you’re just starting to evaluate options—I’m here to help. This isn’t about selling you a product. It’s about protecting the people and priorities you care most about.
 

Let’s have a brief strategy call to evaluate alignment. You don’t have to navigate this alone. 

 

 

About the Author: Eryka Morehead is the dynamic Founder and CEO of Collaborative Insurance Solutions. With nearly two decades of experience in the financial services industry, Eryka has established herself as a leading insurance strategist, known for her ability to simplify complex information and deliver impactful solutions for her clients.

 

 

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Collaborative Insurance Solutions does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or accounting guidance. Please consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.