How to Choose an Insurance Agent

Introduction

So many folks out there have no idea just how to choose a good family insurance agent. In this article… I’ll give you a few pointers on how to choose a good family insurance agent, one who’ll look out after you and your family’s needs.

Identify Your Needs

To begin, you’ll have to identify just what’s important to you. Just for grins, I took a short poll of people around my office and here’s a list of what’s important to them in choosing a family insurance agent.

• A referral from a friend
  
• Agent represents more than one company
  
• Location
  
• Credentials
  
• A good personality
  
• Knowledge about their products
  
• Honesty
  
• Customer service
  
• A good product at a fair price
  

A Referral From A Friend

Ask a friend who they use as their insurance agent.

I’d venture to guess that most people end up doing business with those who’ve been referred to them by friends. Who better to give you advice on what local insurance agent to use than one of your close friends who has worked with the same agent for several years. They’re in a much better position to provide you with the positives and negatives about that agent than you may learn from any advertising source. So make sure you look to your friends when shopping for your family insurance agent.

Agent Represents More Than One Insurance Company

There are two basic types of insurance agents.

* Direct Writers – Those agents who are employees of an insurance company. Direct Writers represent only the products and services that their insurance company has to offer.
* Independent Insurance Agents – Agents who generally work for an independent insurance agency. Independent insurance agencies represent more than one company. They are typically able to provide you with more product and coverage options that direct writers.

While these two types of agents are certainly different each has their advantage. I’ve found that many clients truly enjoy the options that come with the independent agent while others prefer the big company branding that seems to come along with the direct writers.

Location

Just how important is it for you to be able to visit your agents office? Believe me when something goes wrong on an insurance policy your best friend and advocate for correcting the problem will more than likely be your agent! So is it important for you be able to visit your agents office? Sometimes. How close to your home or place of work is their office? What are their office hours? If the need arises, will you be able to make it to your agents office, conduct business and make it back to work over your lunch time? Just a few things for you to think about!

Credentials

A good insurance agent will help you establish adequate liability limits, properly evaluate replacement cost of your home and contents, advise you on deductible options, life insurance limits, retirement planning and many more specific insurable situations with the sole purpose of providing you with adequate asset protection.

So the continuing education of your agent is extremely important. Look for an agent with continuing education credentials. Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Certified Risk Manager (CRM), Life Underwriters Training Council Fellowship (LUTCF), and the Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI) are just a few professional level credentials that you should look for when seeking an insurance agent.

A Good Personality

You’ll need to be able to get along with your agent. Believe me, you don’t have to be best friends, but it’s always nice when you can work with someone who’s company you enjoy. Life is way to short! Find an agent you like!

Knowledge About Their Products

An absolute must!

The insurance agent you select must have broad knowledge about the products and services they have to offer. You’ll find there is a broad spectrum of agents hawking their goods ranging from those who are great salesmen/women with little product knowledge to those who know their product like the back of their hand!

Remember, you’re choosing someone who’s main job is to provide protection to your family. Protection from loss of family assets with liability coverage, protection form the loss of family income with various life insurance products, protection from the loss of home and property with various property insurance products. So it is very important that the family insurance agent you choose knows his or her products inside and out!

Honesty

Well…..believe it or not, there are insurance agents who are not honest! Fortunately, dishonest agents are very few and far between.

Just how can you tell who’s honest or not. That’s a hard question. Think about people you meet on the street. Can you tell if the man in the blue suit carrying the briefcase is honest or how about that lady in the green hat?

When it comes to honesty I’ll defer you to two of the above sections. First, deal with someone who has been referred to you by a friend. Second, look for those agents who take their business serious and prove it by achieving professional designations. And remember, honesty is something that is proven over time, again and again.

Customer Service

Look for an agent who will service your account.

I find so many times you’ll secure an insurance policy from an agent only to have all the service work done by someone else in the agency. When it seems like every time you call to have your policy modified and you find you’re being passed off to someone else, someone who you’ve never met, then I’d start looking for another agent! It’s true, in some agencies, after the original sale, you may never talk with your agent again! Well…..unless you need to purchase another policy! Enough!

Again, find an agent who will service your account. It’s ok to talk with others in the agency at times but you should always have access to your agent. Make sure you do.

A Good Product at A Fair Price

You can always find it CHEAPER! No matter what you’re looking for, milk, bread, shoes….but when it comes to protecting your family and your hard earned assets is “cheaper” really better?

For some, purchasing auto insurance from “the cheapest insurance in town” agency may be ok. But for many buying the “cheapest” may not be in their best interest!

Be wary, there really are significant differences in insurance products and a good insurance agent will help you make a sound purchasing decision for your family.

Summary

When shopping for a family insurance agent remember to look for an individual who takes what they do seriously. Check referrals, credentials and verify who will perform your policy service work. Ask about products and pricing, don’t forget, the “cheapest” insurance may not be in your best interest when it comes time for the product to protect your assets!

And if you are looking for a great business insurance agent these same guides apply, just turn your efforts towards a professional insurance agent who has knowledge in the business insurance arena.

Hopefully this article will help you choose an Insurance Agent and find the best insurance agent for your needs!

Thanks… I Look forward answering your questions!
Chris OBrien
James F Collins Insurance Agency
East Aurora, NY 14052
716-652-4203
chris@jamesfcollins.com
www.JamesFCollins.com