Employer Groups Frequently Asked Questions
How long have you been in business?
The Berenguer Group was established in 1988.
How much experience do you have in your business?
Every benefits consultant is licensed and qualified to provide the very best advice as to your employee benefits needs. We have over 100 years combined experience. Our principals are:
Mr. José M. Berenguer, III, J.D. - CEO
Mr. José M. Berenguer, III is an Attorney who limited his practice to Health Care, a former Certified Health Care Risk Manager, a Life, Health and General Lines Agent. He has been involved as Attorney for Insurance Carriers (as outside and as General Counsel) and/or Agent since 1982. In one capacity or another he has dealt with all local carriers and many Regional and national carriers as well as the State and Federal agencies that regulate them. He heads up our Key Biscayne Office.
Mr. Juan Francisco Berenguer - President
Mr. Juan Francisco Berenguer is licensed by the Florida Department of Financial Services since 1991. He is a former marketing director for a major South Florida HMO and attained the Life Underwriters training Council Fellow designation “LUTCF”. Juan has been recognized by a number of carriers and employer clients with awards in excellence. He heads up the Pinecrest Office.
Ms. Ana Maria Berenguer - CFO
Mrs. Ana M. Berenguer has been in the industry since 1988. She has served as VP for Government Contracts, Marketing Director, Compliance Officer, and/or Corporate Officer for several HMOs and/or insurance Carriers. She is licensed by the Florida Dept. of Financial Services since 2001 as a Life and Health Agent. She obtained her Bachelor of Business Administration in 1984. She specializes in Compliance and Claims support.
Mr. Jorge T. Baste - VP
Mr. Jorge T. Baste is licensed by the Florida Department of Financial Services since 1995 as a Life and Health Agent. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Hospitality from Florida State University in 1992 and his Registered Health Underwriter(RHU) designation from The American College in 2014. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Miami-Dade Association of Health Underwriters since 2005 and is currently serving his second term as the President which will run through June of 2018. In 2017 he was honored with a Special Service Award as well as Recruiter of the Year by the Florida Association of Health Underwriters. He heads up our Coral Gables Office.
What types of accounts do you service?
We insure and provide service to individuals and groups, both small and large groups. Our clients represent all types of industries.
What types of licenses do you hold?
Every Benefits Consultant holds a Florida License to conduct insurance business in the State of Florida; some Benefits Consultants hold licenses to conduct business in other states; and José M. Berenguer, III is a member of the Florida Bar since 1982, and a former State of Florida Certified Health Care Risk Manager.
Have there been any lawsuits against you or your firm? If so, how many and what type?
There have been no lawsuits filed against The Berenguer Group, or against any of the principals of The Berenguer Group, or against Mr. Jose M. Berenguer, III as either attorney or insurance agent. We do carry E & O coverage.
What types of services do you provide? Dedicated customer service personnel, 800 number, etc? What are your firm’s standard services?
We become a part of your HR Department and at the same time become part of the Carrier’s customer service department.
We assist you with yearly open enrollment, periodic benefits education, and take part in the orientation of new employees. This is done by scheduling benefits orientation usually quarterly for employers with 90 day probationary periods and more often for employers with shorter probationary periods.
We handle enrollment and termination of employees, billing issues, and represent your employees with problems complaints and grievances. We will represent them with complaints filed with the Florida Department of Financial Services or the Agency for Health Care Administration. We will not, however, file suit or arbitrate with a Carrier. This would make us pariahs to the Carriers and ineffective agents for our employer groups (We will provide list of competent attorneys in field.).
Additionally, we offer Benefits Restructuring services to employers seeking cost saving solutions at any time of the year as no need to wait for your renewal. Simply contact us and a Specialist will discuss the process in more detail.
Our toll free number is 1-800-422-1143.
What is your total number of clients?
We represent more than 175 employer groups.
Who are you preferred brokers for?
We work with all of the carriers in your geographic service areas, we obtain quotes from all and will place you with the carrier of your choice. Our position is that we represent the client, and will place the client with the carrier of its choice. The client makes the decision.
We work and have business with all of the carriers, but we do not make the decision, the clients do.
How did you become a preferred broker for them?
All of the carriers grant preferred status as a result of volume production. This is the case with all carriers. We have a good working relationship with all carriers and, more importantly, with their regulators.