Eliot Spitzer's investigations into insurance broker's contingent compensation may have had some unintended benefit for Aon, by forcing the door open for clients to seek the opinion of more than one brokerage firm for their risk placements, the firm's chief executive said.

The comments came yesterday during an insurance investor's conference sponsored by Merrill Lynch. In answer to a question, Gregory C. Case, president and chief executive officer for the Chicago-based brokerage firm, said that after the New York Attorney General's investigation, many accounts felt it was necessary to get a second or third broker to look over aspects of their insurance business.

"It was really wonderful for Aon, because it gave clients the chance to see us for the first time," Mr. Case said. "It ebbs and flows."