About Us

Laughlin Insurance was established in 1997 by Paris Laughlin.  Our office is located in Northeast Portland Oregon in the Gateway area.  We offer many carriers and programs for health insurance, Medicare, life insurance, disability income protection plans, dental plans, Compliance & Administrative services, and more.  We help employers, human resources representatives, benefit managers, employees, Medicare beneficiaries, and individual consumers.  We also offer tax credit qualified employer and individual health plans, and can help you check for the tax credits that can help pay premiums. 

Brokers Making A Difference  
For more than 85 years, health insurance brokers and benefit specialists have provided valuable healthcare financing services to millions of employers and individuals.  Professional agents have extensive knowledge about health insurance plan design, benefits and pricing.  The agent goal is to help all employers and individuals find appropriate health insurance at an affordable cost.  Licensed independent insurance agents are also called producers or brokers.  Brokers are making a difference.Some agents are also certified with the federal and state health insurance marketplaces, and provide a wide range of services for both individual consumers and the business community. An agent may also perform a couple of dozen hours of learning throughout the year, and renew licensing annually with insurance regulators.  The marketplace agents are required to perform annual recertifications.  Agents may also have special certification and training to sell Medicare health plans.  Agents may also have special recognition from marketplaces.  Producers interface with insurers, marketplaces, acquire quotes, check for financial assistance, favorable tax treatment, analyze plan options, and consult clients through the purchase and renewals of health insurance plans. 

Licensed independent insurance producers provide guidance to employers regarding benefit and contribution arrangements to ensure compliance with applicable State and Federal laws and regulations; assist with establishing section 125 plan tax savings under the Internal Revenue Code, provide compliance awareness and compliance solutions, health reimbursement arrangements, flexible spending arrangements, and other programs to maximize tax advantages and ensure compliance with applicable Internal Revenue Service guidelines; create educational materials and provide on-site assistance to aid in employee benefit communication; assist in managing eligibility for new hires and terminated employees; provide advocacy for employees through the health insurance claim process; and advocate for employers with insurers in developing proposals, renewals, and for service issues throughout the year.

In order to meet these responsibilities, licensed independent insurance producers are required to complete continuing education on an ongoing basis in order to maintain appropriate licenses. This requirement to maintain educational standards helps assure the insured public that producers remain current with the ever-evolving insurance market. 

It is essential that licensed independent insurance producers continue to perform these duties, and others, as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has made significant changes to the regulatory environment for health plans. To understand these changes, employers and consumers will need professional guidance even more in the future. This service is especially important for small businesses, as such producers often fill the role of a human resources department as well as professional consultant.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners--whose core mission is to protect consumers in all aspects of the business of insurance--strongly advocates for the continuing role of licensed independent insurance producers in health insurance, and has expressed that the ability of insurance agents and brokers to continue assisting health insurance consumers at a time of rapid insurance market changes is more essential than ever.

The term 'independent insurance producer' means an insurance agent or broker, insurance consultant, benefit specialist, and any other person required to be licensed under the laws of the particular State to sell, solicit, negotiate, service, effect, procure, renew or bind policies of insurance coverage or offer advice, counsel, opinions, or services related to insurance.

There are many ways we apply our special experience and training to help you. We hope you will see extra services or resources that you did not expect. Please review the list below and let us know if you have questions or need assistance.

Read more about Brokers making a difference here.