Why the “One-Stop Shop” for Business Insurance Could Be Costing You More

By Tom Hart, Benton Oakfield

Many business owners in New York—and across the country—have been sold the convenience of a “one-stop shop” for all their insurance needs. One broker to handle general liability, workers' comp, benefits, and everything else. On the surface, that sounds efficient. But in practice? It’s often a costly mistake.

The Illusion of Simplicity

The appeal of one point of contact is real. It feels streamlined. One person, one email thread, one renewal date. But that convenience can come at a steep price. In the insurance world, specialization matters—especially when it comes to something as complex as employee benefits.

Jack of All Trades, Master of None

As a broker specializing in employee benefits, I’ve been offered the opportunity to add property and casualty insurance to my portfolio. I always say no. Why? Because doing the job right means knowing every regulation, every tax implication, every tool for optimization—and those differ wildly between health insurance and P&C coverage.

General liability and workers' compensation are entirely different beasts from health benefits. Trying to juggle both can lead to bad advice, missed opportunities, and compliance issues.

Employee Benefits Are an Investment—Not a Commodity

Too often, I meet business owners who were told by their “do-it-all” broker to just pick a plan from a list. No strategy, no customization, no vision. That’s a red flag.

Employee benefits aren’t a checkbox—they’re one of your most powerful recruitment and retention tools. Done right, they help attract talent, reduce turnover, and even lower your tax burden. But that only happens if you’re working with someone who knows how to design and manage a benefits package strategically.

The Cost of Poor Guidance

If your broker isn’t proactively helping you structure your plans to maximize return on investment, you’re likely overpaying—and your employees might still be underinsured. Health insurance alone is an 800-pound gorilla that requires constant vigilance and adaptation. When it’s tacked on as an afterthought by someone focused on other lines of coverage, you’re left vulnerable.

Better Strategy, Better Outcomes

At Benton Oakfield, we focus exclusively on employee and life insurance benefits. Why? Because that’s what we’re built for. We understand how to leverage benefits as part of a business strategy. We’re not here to “sell a policy”—we’re here to help you make your business better.

That’s the difference between a one-stop shop and a dedicated partner.

Final Thought

The old saying applies: “Jack of all trades, master of none.” When it comes to insurance—especially your employee benefits—settling for someone who tries to do it all may mean you’re getting the short end of every deal.

If you want to talk strategy, not just policy, reach out to us at Benton Oakfield. We’ll help you turn benefits into a business advantage.