What practice is involved when an insurance agent convinces a client to switch policies for personal gain?

The practice involved when an insurance agent convinces a client to switch policies for personal gain is known as churning. This term specifically refers to the unethical practice where an agent pushes a client to replace an existing insurance policy with a new one, often to earn a commission on the new policy rather than to provide a better benefit to the client. Churning can diminish the client's benefits and lead to unnecessary costs, as the client may face new waiting periods and lost coverage.

This distinction emphasizes that the act is not merely about switching policies but involves a manipulation of the client’s trust for the financial benefit of the agent, which is a violation of ethical insurance practices. The term captures the exploitative nature of the behavior, contrasting it with other possible terminology that does not convey the same level of unethical motivation.