What is the term used for agents persuading insureds to cancel a policy that is not in their best interest?

The term that describes agents persuading insureds to cancel a policy that is not in their best interest is known as twisting. Twisting occurs when an insurance agent misrepresents or omits important information to convince a policyholder to switch from one insurance policy to another. The practice is unethical and can lead to significant financial detriment for the policyholder, who may be misled into thinking they are getting better coverage or lower premiums.

In the context of insurance regulations, twisting is explicitly prohibited because it undermines the trust and integrity of the insurance industry. Instead of genuinely benefiting the client, twisting primarily serves to benefit the agent, often through higher commissions on the new policies they sell. This is why regulatory agencies closely monitor for activities associated with twisting.

Other terms have their own specific definitions within the insurance context. For example, churning specifically refers to an agent's practice of convincing an existing policyholder to replace policies in order to increase commissions, regardless of the client's best interests, but the focus is on outright replacing rather than cancelling without providing clear benefits. Flipping, on the other hand, typically relates to switching coverage frequently in a way that is not necessarily detrimental but can still pose risks to the insured.