What does the term "churning" refer to in insurance practices?

The term "churning" refers to the unethical practice of persuading clients to switch policies for personal gain. This behavior involves insurance agents encouraging clients to cancel their existing policies and purchase new ones, primarily to generate additional commissions for themselves, rather than serving the best interests of the clients. Churning can lead to financial losses for clients due to the potential loss of benefits accrued in their original policies, such as surrender values, and it generally undermines the trust that is essential in the client-insurer relationship. This practice is viewed as a violation of ethical standards in the insurance industry, as it prioritizes the agent's financial benefits over the clients' needs and well-being.