How to choose an insurance agent is one of the most important financial decisions you can make. The agent you select will have a major influence on your insurance coverage, costs, and service experience for years to come. Having an insurance agent who truly understands your needs and goals is invaluable.
The insurance market is vast, with many complex policies and options to evaluate. A good agent serves as your guide. They have expertise that helps ensure you get adequate coverage at a fair price, without gaps or surprises. Rather than you having to become an insurance expert yourself, the agent handles the legwork and advises you objectively.
Beyond assisting with policy selection, an agent acts as your ongoing representative for claims, billing questions, and policy updates. You want an agent who will fight for your best interests if any issues emerge. The right agent saves you time, money, and headaches over the long run.
With so much riding on your choice, it’s important to carefully research and vet potential agents. The agent’s skills, experience, business practices, and compatibility with you can determine how satisfied you’ll be. Taking the time upfront to find the right agent pays off exponentially.
Review current insurance policies and coverage gaps
Taking the time to review your current insurance policies is an important first step when looking to work with a new insurance agent. Make a list of all your current policies, including health, life, home, auto, disability, umbrella, and any other insurance you have.
For each policy, review the coverage details and limits. Do you have adequate coverage for your needs? Are there any gaps that should be addressed? Common gaps to look for include:
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Underinsured home or auto policies. As your assets grow over time, make sure your liability limits have kept pace.
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Lacking disability insurance. Many people underestimate the chances of becoming disabled and being unable to work. Disability insurance provides income replacement if you can’t work due to illness or injury.
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No umbrella insurance. An umbrella policy provides additional liability coverage above and beyond your other policies. It can be useful for those with substantial assets at risk.
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Outdated life insurance. If you purchased life insurance years ago, your needs may have changed based on marriage, children, new debts, etc. Review if coverage is still adequate.
Take notes on where your current policies fall short or have room for improvement. This will help guide discussions with potential agents on where coverage gaps exist in your current insurance portfolio. Having this review completed shows you’ve done your due diligence before meeting with an agent.
Ask friends, family, colleagues for insurance agent recommendations
Getting recommendations from people you know and trust is one of the best ways to find a good insurance agent. Your friends, family members and colleagues who are happy with their insurance agent will likely be more than willing to suggest their agent to you.
Reach out and ask them about their experience working with the agent. Find out how responsive and helpful the agent is. Ask if they feel the agent provided them with the best coverage options for their needs and budget. Learn whether the agent makes the process of filing claims easy and smooth.
Listen for enthusiasm in how they describe their agent. The more confident and satisfied they sound, the better sign that is of a competent and caring insurance agent.
Pay attention to trends in the recommendations you receive. If multiple people mention the same agent as someone they are very pleased with, make sure to look into that agent.
Insurance is a very personal service, so trusted recommendations from your closest contacts can be invaluable in your search process. Leverage their experiences to find an agent that will make you feel taken care of as well.
Verify licenses and certifications
When choosing an insurance agent, it’s important to verify their licenses and certifications. This ensures they have the proper credentials to sell insurance in your state.
Start by asking the agent about their licenses. Agents should be licensed by the state for the types of insurance they sell. Common licenses include life, health, property, and casualty insurance licenses. Verify active licenses by checking your state insurance department’s website, which provides license lookups.
Agents may also hold professional certifications, which require passing exams on insurance fundamentals and continuing education. Common certifications include:
- Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU)
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
Ask agents which certifications they hold and confirm they are in good standing by contacting the certifying organization.
Additionally, check for any disciplinary actions against an agent’s licenses or certifications, which may indicate questionable business practices. Your state insurance department’s website provides information on disciplinary actions taken and license revocations. Also search for the agent’s name on the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) website, which lists any disciplinary actions by brokerage firms.
Taking these steps helps verify an agent has the proper credentials and is in good standing with state regulatory bodies. This helps ensure you choose an ethical, knowledgeable insurance agent you can trust.
Consider years in business and specialty areas
When choosing an insurance agent, it’s important to find someone with expertise relevant to your specific needs. Look for an agent that specializes in the types of insurance you want to purchase. This might include auto, home, life, health, or business insurance.
Seek out an agent who has many years of experience in the field. Longevity is usually a sign of a reputable agent who provides quality service. Newer agents may not have the breadth of knowledge and connections that more seasoned ones do.
Try to find an agent that is an expert in the types of policies you need. For example, if you own a small business, look for an agent well-versed in commercial policies. If you have a teen driver at home, find someone knowledgeable about auto insurance for high-risk groups.
Don’t rely on a generalist if you have specific insurance needs. Look for niche expertise relevant to your situation. An agent who specializes will be better equipped to find you the right coverage at the best price.
It’s worth investing time to research and find an experienced, specialized agent. Their expertise will prove invaluable as they guide you through important insurance decisions. The right agent-client relationship can last for years, so choose one with relevant knowledge and longevity in the field.
Check Online Reviews
When choosing an insurance agent, it’s important to get a sense of their reputation and track record. One of the best ways to do this is by checking online reviews from past clients. Look for reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook to see what others are saying. Pay attention to responsiveness, communication style, customer service, and overall satisfaction.
An agent with many positive reviews is likely a good choice, while one with many negative comments may be best to avoid. Look for reviews that provide details and context, not just general star ratings. An agent with a mix of reviews may still be worth considering if the negative ones seem relatively minor or infrequent. Checking reviews is a simple way to gain helpful insight into working with a potential insurance agent before ever contacting them.
Get quotes from several agents for comparison
Shopping around for insurance quotes is the best way to find competitive pricing and make sure you’re getting the best deal. It’s recommended to get quotes from at least 3 different agents before deciding on a policy.
When comparing quotes, be sure to compare policies that offer the same coverage so you’re making an apples-to-apples comparison. Look at the premium amount, deductible, and any exclusions or limitations on coverage.
Getting multiple quotes allows you to see the price variation between companies. Insurance rates can vary widely, even for the very same coverage. The more quotes you get, the better chance you have of finding an affordable policy.
Quotes and rates can be affected by many factors such as your driving record, credit score, vehicle type, age, location and more. Each company weighs these factors differently in their pricing models. That’s why the only way to find the lowest price is to compare several quotes side-by-side.
In addition to premium price, also consider the reputation and financial strength ratings of companies you’re considering. Make sure to choose an established insurer that can deliver on promises of coverage.
Getting quotes takes little time and effort thanks to online quote tools that allow you to compare rates from multiple providers at once. Take advantage of these comparison shopping services to efficiently shop for the best deal.
With a bit of upfront work to get quotes, you can potentially save hundreds of dollars per year and find the right insurance coverage at the best available price.
See if agent can bundle policies for discounts
When choosing an insurance agent, it’s important to inquire whether they can offer discounts by bundling multiple insurance policies together. Many insurance companies will provide a discount if you purchase multiple policies, such as home and auto insurance, from them. This is because it is more efficient for the insurance company to service multiple policies for the same customer.
Some key points when asking about bundling discounts:
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Ask the agent if they can provide a discount for bundling home and auto insurance, as this is one of the most common bundles. The discount can often be 5-15%.
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Inquire about bundling discounts for other policies like life, health, umbrella, and specialty insurance. The more policies you can bundle, the higher the discount.
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Make sure to get discount details in writing, so you know exactly how much you’ll save. Discounts may apply just for purchasing from the same company, or require policies to have overlapping dates.
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Check if discounts increase over time for loyal customers who renew bundled policies.
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See if the agent can compare bundled quotes from multiple insurers to find the best discount. Independent agents who work with multiple companies will be best for this.
Getting a bundling discount is an easy way to optimize savings when choosing an insurance agent. Just make sure to ask the right questions upfront.
Frequency of policy reviews and updates
When choosing an insurance agent, it’s important to consider how often they will review and update your policies. You want an agent who will regularly check in with you at least annually to discuss any changes in your life situation that could impact your insurance needs. For example, getting married, having children, buying a home, or starting a business are all major life events that may require adjustments to your policies.
The right agent will proactively reach out on a schedule to review your existing coverage, recommend any beneficial additions or changes, ensure proper valuation of insured assets, and confirm all beneficiaries are up to date. They will look for ways to save you money by bundling policies or taking advantage of discounts you may qualify for. A proactive review process demonstrates that the agent has your best interests in mind and is not just trying to sell you policies.
You also want an agent who is responsive whenever you have questions or need to make policy changes in between scheduled reviews. Life is unpredictable, so the ability to easily reach and get a timely response from your agent provides peace of mind. They should be readily available by phone, email, or to meet in person when necessary.
Choosing an insurance agent who makes regular policy reviews and is available to handle requests in between reviews ensures you have the right coverage in place as your needs evolve over time.
How to Choose the Right Insurance Agent for You
Choosing an insurance agent is an important decision that requires careful consideration. The right agent should make you feel comfortable and give you confidence that they have your best interests in mind. When evaluating agents, weigh factors like credentials, experience, service offerings, and price. However, don’t underestimate the value of your gut feeling on finding the best fit.
Credentials like professional designations can indicate an agent has comprehensive training and expertise. Look for titles like Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) which require extensive education, exams, and ethical standards.
Consider the agent’s experience with clients similar to you. An agent well-versed in your needs whether family, life stage, or profession, can provide more tailored guidance. Ask how long they’ve been in the business and request referrals from past clients.
Evaluate the agent’s breadth of services like policy reviews, claims assistance, and ongoing support. You want an agent who proactively ensures your coverage adapts over time.
Price is key but avoid choosing only on cost. An agent who rushes you into a policy without exploring needs may lack the care to serve you long-term. Be wary of rates that seem too good to be true.
Finally, pay attention to your gut feeling during interactions. The right agent-client relationship requires trust and comfort. Make sure the agent listens attentively, answers questions thoroughly, and instills confidence.