During the past decade or so, the largest personal insurance carriers in the U.S. have contributed to the greatest spike in advertising spending in any marketing category. The trend seems stronger than ever. According to Kantar Media, insurers spent roughly $1.3 billion in advertising in the second quarter of 2013 alone, up 12.9% during the same period a year earlier.

And while the growth in insurance advertising started as a call for consumers to save money, the advertising has clearly shifted to turf that specialist high-net-worth providers should own: professional agents who complete thorough due diligence (“discount double-check”), policy language that is broad enough to protect against “mayhem,” and experts that will make you smarter about insurance (even if you didn't attend Farmers University). The billions spent to reinforce these issues creates a challenge for specialist insurers and brokers.

The Start of a Solution

Within the past few years, a group of agents, brokers and carriers established the Private Risk Management Association (PRMA), an independent, non-profit group to lift the specialist high-net-worth category through greater professionalism, awareness and advocacy. PRMA aims to reverse the trend and grow the category by creating a forum for insurance and wealth management professionals to share insights and drive issues that improve the experience of the high net worth consumer. It plans to provide educational opportunities for the workforce in the niche market, establish standards and distinguish those who have mastered the specialty, as well as provide networking, recruiting and career advancement services for association members.