by David Bell | Jan 31, 2025
As an insurance broker, you’re not just selling policies—you’re the lifeline keeping your clients out of financial and legal disaster. And let’s be honest, some clients need a little… extra encouragement when it comes to following the rules.
Sure, they might think compliance is just another box to check, but skipping the basics—like properly reporting payroll or providing workers’ comp—can land them in hot water faster than they can say “IRS audit.”
Why Your Clients NEED to Follow the Rules (Even If They Don’t Want To)
We all have that client—the one who loves to cut corners. Maybe they think workers’ comp is optional. Maybe they’re paying people under the table like it’s a 1920s speakeasy. Either way, it’s a disaster waiting to happen.
Your job? Make sure they understand the risks. Because when they get hit with fines, penalties, or worse—guess who they’re going to blame? Yep. YOU.
Here’s what happens when clients ignore compliance:
💰 Massive IRS fines – Uncle Sam doesn’t play games. If payroll taxes aren’t reported, expect penalties that hurt.
⚖️ State audits – State agencies are cracking down on misclassified employees. If your client calls a worker a 1099 contractor but treats them like an employee, they’re in trouble.
🤕 No workers’ comp = major lawsuits – If an “under-the-table” worker gets hurt, your client could be on the hook for all medical expenses AND potential legal action.
🚨 They could LOSE their business – Many non-compliant businesses end up shut down when the fines and legal fees stack up.
How You Can Help Your Clients Stay Out of Trouble
The good news? You have the power to protect your clients (and yourself) from a compliance nightmare. Here’s how:
✅ Check in regularly – If a client hasn’t reported payroll, ask why. Are they really not working, or are they just skipping the process?
✅ Make sure they understand 1099 vs. W-2 rules – Misclassifying employees is one of the fastest ways to get audited. Educate them before it’s too late.
✅ Push workers’ comp coverage – Some clients might think they can get away without it—until an injury happens and they’re drowning in medical bills. Don’t let them take that risk.
✅ Offer the right solutions – Whether they need traditional workers’ comp, PEO solutions, or HR compliance services, make sure they’re covered properly.
Don’t Let Your Clients Fall Into the Non-Compliance Trap
At the end of the day, an uninformed client is a liability. If they fail to comply, their business (and your reputation) could be on the line. Be the expert they trust, guide them in the right direction, and keep them compliant.
Need resources or solutions for your clients? Let’s talk—we’re here to help you help them. 🚀
by David Bell | Jan 10, 2025
Hey there, insurance agents! So, you want to find the perfect prospect for a Professional Employer Organization (PEO)? Great choice! PEOs are like the Swiss Army knives of business solutions—handling HR, payroll, benefits, and even workers’ comp (hey, that’s our bread and butter!). But how do you sniff out the ideal client without feeling like you’re speed dating the entire small business community? Let’s dive in!
- Know Your Type (Of Business, That Is)
Not every business is ready for a PEO relationship. You want to target small to mid-sized companies, typically with 10 to 200 employees. There are some products for smaller employers and even companies without employees. Generally, you should look for the prospects big enough to need HR support but not quite ready to build their own HR department. Think growing tech startups, construction companies, manufacturers, and healthcare practices. If they constantly complain about HR headaches or compliance confusion, you’ve found your match!
- Listen for the Right Complaints
Prospects won’t walk up and say, “I need a PEO!” (If only it were that easy.) Instead, listen for these telltale signs:
- “I’m drowning in paperwork.”
- “Our benefits are too expensive.”
- “I can’t keep up with changing labor laws.”
- “Payroll gives me nightmares.”
- “My workers’ compensation is too expensive.”
When you hear these, it’s your cue to swoop in with the PEO solution. You’re not just selling—you’re saving them from HR doom!
- Network Where the Action Is
Your next PEO prospect isn’t hiding under a rock—they’re networking too! Attend local business events, industry trade shows, and chamber of commerce meetings. Better yet, sponsor a breakfast event. (Who says no to free coffee and bagels?) Engage with business owners, and drop hints about how you can make their work lives easier.
- LinkedIn: Your Digital Wingman
LinkedIn isn’t just for job seekers; it’s a goldmine for prospecting. Join groups where business owners hang out, share insightful posts about HR trends, and slide into DMs—professionally, of course. A post titled, “Is Payroll Stress Keeping You Up at Night?” is bound to get some bites.
- Partner with CPAs and Business Consultants
CPAs and business consultants already have the ears of your ideal prospects. Form strategic partnerships where they refer clients to you when HR headaches arise. It’s like getting a trusted friend to set you up on a date—much warmer than a cold call!
- Be the HR Superhero They Didn’t Know They Needed
When pitching, don’t just talk features—tell a story. Explain how a PEO can help them attract top talent with better benefits, stay compliant with ever-changing regulations, and save time so they can focus on growing their business. Paint yourself as the HR superhero swooping in to save the day. (Cape optional, but highly encouraged.)
- Follow Up Without Being “That Person”
No one likes being ghosted—and no one likes a pushy salesperson. Find the balance. Send helpful resources, share industry news, or invite them to a webinar. Show you’re there to help, not to hound.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not About Selling, It’s About Solving
At the end of the day, finding the right PEO prospect is about listening, educating, and offering real solutions. You’re not pushing a product—you’re offering peace of mind. And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want less stress and more time to actually enjoy their business?
Now go out there, charm those prospects, and help them discover the magic of a PEO partnership!
And remember—you’ve got this. (Super hero cape still optional.)
by David Bell | Oct 9, 2024
Our subsidiary, PayGo Plus LLC provides program administration for DB Staff Pro, Inc. under the product name Staff Pro Plus.
Many small businesses and entrepreneurs need support that gives a piece of mind and lowers costs as compared to assigned risk alternatives.
StaffPro Plus* does that and much more.
Sign your small employer-clients up for this subscription-based service to:
*Find support staff for temporary projects
*Ensure proper employment forms are completed
*Pay wages & provide benefits
*Obtain Worker’s Comp Certificates of Insurance
*Report wages under our staffing company’s FEIN
*Focus on building the business
*Give StaffPro the office administration responsibility & risk
*Leverage our HR Consulting Platform
by David Bell | Mar 3, 2023
What makes a company successful? It’s the people.
It is our mission to find out more about the abilities of each person we are associated with professionally and personally.
Our company is always looking for great people with a passion for success. We have built the company around the strengths of our people.
When you build a company around people and judge the success of the company based on individuals, you have something special. A company is nothing more than a vehicle for the success of employees, partners, clients and vendors.
I know we’re standing in front of a vintage Rolls in this photo but if you know us, you know we’re more comfortable in beach attire and driving a truck.
A special thank you to everyone who has contributed to the success of this company. We look forward to growing the company family and emerging into a position of market leadership. We believe that we are only as good as the people we associate with and we’ve been so fortunate to work with some of the best people in the world.
by David Bell | Oct 10, 2018
We live in a world that has rules, regulations, and laws that are designed to help us work together symbiotically in all aspects of life — from business to our personal lives.
Like most of us, you’ve heard the sayings: “rules were made to be broken” or “coloring outside the lines.” In theory, these types of approaches may sound great.
These concepts may evoke mental pictures of doing whatever it takes to “get the job done,” regardless of set parameters and guidelines.
Unfortunately, the practice of rule breaking can only lead to problems.
Why? Well, on the other side of “rules were made to be broken” there’s this saying: “don’t let your sins find you out.”
Rules in Business Are Important to Success
In business, compliance helps organizations and their employees grow. They are designed to help with accountability, safety, job security, and protection of rights.
As an insurance agent or broker, you are well-versed in the details surrounding claims and policies. These insurance guidelines are in place to support compliance, rules, and regulations.
Imagine if you will, an employer who doesn’t follow the rules and regulations surrounding workers compensation. When you think about that scenario—which you may have already experienced first hand—you can quickly see how havoc, chaos, and turmoil can evolve.
Now apply that same logic to how employers pay their employees.
Standards for Paying Employers and Contractors
Most businesses have paperwork and procedures in place to ensure their employees and contractors receive the correct benefits and payments.
The onboarding process is systematic and brings many benefits from engaging team members to building trust and boosting business growth.
It makes sense to have a straightforward process in place for paying the people hired to do a job. When you do, people are eager to help you achieve the project or goal you’ve enlisted their support to accomplish.
So why would any employer want to pay someone “under the table?”
It may have never occurred to you, but some employers pay the people that work for them in this discrete and non-visible way.
Results from Paying Workers “Under the Table”
There are several reasons that employers are tempted to pay employees in “under the table” or with cash-only. They could want to avoid:
- Withholding payroll taxes
- Workers’ comp insurance
- Employee documentation (e.g., immigrants without proper work visas)
- Administrative record-keeping
- Paying for benefits
“Under the table” or “off the record”—no matter what name you use, it is against the law. If you are caught doing this, the consequences are severe.
As an insurance professional working with emplo
yers, you are responsible for knowing how the practice of under the table payments could impact your clients.
You employer clients could be impacted by potential:
- Criminal prosecution
- IRS audits and penalties
- State audits and penalties
- Injuries to “under the table” employees, which may not be covered
- Employment practices claims from employees
- Problems gathering records in the event the employer faces litigation or criminal investigation
- and much more…
Help Your Employer Clients & Avoid Liability Claims Against Your Errors and Omissions Coverage
Did you know many clients sign up to use our StaffPro solution, yet they never report their payroll?
You can turn the situation around by going the extra mile to communicate what they need to do.
Monitoring risks are critical to the success of your clients and the solutions you offer them.
Leverage your responsibility as their insurance broker of record to ask questions like:
- Did you know that signing up and getting a Certificate Of Insurance is only the first step in addressing your obligation as an employer?
- Since you’ve signed up, you haven’t reported any payroll. Are you just not working?
- Do your workers meet the definition of a 1099 contractor?
- Did you know that not filing payroll for your workers can result in your business being shut down?
When you monitor the risks and reinforce the procedures with your clients, you are guaranteed to avoid liability claims against your own errors and omissions coverage.
You can also make more money when your employer clients use the solutions you provide them correctly.
Actively guide your clients and create a win-win situation for everyone.
How You Can Provide Employer Compliance Solutions
We have a team of professionals that provide consultation and resources dedicated to ensuring compliance. Depending on the circumstances, we have multiple products and services directed to employers.
Don’t let your employer clients mistakenly fall into the non-compliance trap.
Help guide them by educating them about the various possibilities and offering a solution that can save them from a hornet’s nest of problems.
For your small contractors, Staff Pro Plus helps your employer clients manage a fluid workforce. (But remember that subscribing to the service is just the beginning of the process.)
For your larger clients with permanent staff, you can offer PEO solutions or traditional workers’ compensation.
Since you want to be more than a broker or agent, consider providing multiple Human Resource products and services to address all your employer clients’ needs comprehensively.
Make sure you cover the bases by consistently offering real solutions and asking questions that guide your customers to use the products correctly.
by David Bell | Sep 25, 2017
Are you a small contractor without employees? Are you tired of paying higher premiums for coverage on yourself?
Syndicated Insurance Resources has a product designed just for you. Subscribe to our StaffPro Plus staffing service –offered through our sister company, PayGo Plus, LLC–report wages under the staffing company’s Federal Employer Identification Number to receive a certificate of insurance. Remember the policy is under the name of the staffing company. In the end, this saves you higher premium costs.
Need to find or add staff? No problem.
Our staffing company can help find support staff for temporary projects. We help you get the proper forms for employment completed, pay the wages and provide the benefits.
Get Worker’s Comp Certificates of Insurance Fast.
In 24 hours or less, you can receive a Certificate of Insurance. Everything you need is quickly and easily accessible through StaffPro Plus.
Access Affordable Coverage Today!
For $110/month, you can access the StaffPro Plus to get Worker’s Comp Certificates of Insurance, find and pay support staff, as well as provide benefits. It is so easy and cost-effective, you’ll wonder why it took you so long to sign up.
