It’s peak season, and that means it is crunch time for quoting, enrollments, and renewals – so your clients get the coverage they want and need for 12/1, 1/1, and 2/1. During this critical time of year, time management can be a challenge. That is especially true when you consider the major celebrations on the calendar during November, December, and January.
Don’t be distracted by everything happening during the season, it’s important to stay focused. You want to maintain your 2024 momentum and deliver for the clients. Then you can ask them in the future for referrals that can fill your pipeline throughout 2025.
Thanksgiving is November 28th this year. Historically, it was moved to the fourth Thursday in November in 1941 to prevent it from being on the last day of the month. The rationale by Congress was that moving it to the fourth Thursday would give retailers additional time to take advantage of Christmas-driven sales. (From 1863 to 1940, Thanksgiving was on the last Thursday of November.) It may seem late this year, but the holiday falls on November 28 roughly every five to six years.
Some health insurance carriers and administrators are closed on Thanksgiving alone, while others are closed on the following Friday, too. Because the holiday is so near to the month’s end, cut-off dates may shift, so keep that in mind for any groups with coverage effective 12/1.
Demands on your time and potential holiday conflicts are even more challenging in December. You’re facing carrier and administrator deadlines for submissions and multiple celebrations. Buddhists mark Bodhi Day on December 8. Catholics celebrate Immaculate Conception Day on December 9, one day later this year than usual. The Feast Day of Our Lady Guadalupe occurs December 12. The festival of Yule begins December 21. Christmas is Wednesday, December 25. Hanukkah begins December 25 and continues through January 2. Kwanza is December 26-January 1. New Year’s Eve is December 31, followed by New Year’s Day on January 1.
Because Christmas is on a Wednesday, New Year’s Eve is on a Tuesday, and New Year’s Day is on a Wednesday, you face potential early closures or full closure on a mix of days. It is important to plan accordingly. Remember, too, that turnarounds on Ease builds are also affected during Q4.
For a complete list of Q4 Small Group deadlines, download the California submission deadline calendar or the Nevada submission deadline calendar from the W&B online Insurance Forms Library. Or contact your W&B rep for January due dates.
If your holiday schedule includes parties or other gatherings, make the most of those opportunities by networking. You could set the stage for a follow-up meeting that will open the door to referrals and future sales. If you send cards (whether marking the holidays or sending best wishes for 2025), that, too, could lead to your follow up early in Q1.
If you are working with Word & Brown on your case submissions, you can count on us to be here through January (and after) to help you in any way we can. Although some of our staff may be away from the office from time to time, others will be on hand to deliver our legendary Service of Unequalled Excellence with your California and Nevada new business and renewals. If you’re not yet doing business with us, call us at 800-869-6989 or visit us online to get started.
