Insurance is a topic that can feel really overwhelming—with so many options to choose from, unfamiliar terms to wade through, legal requirements, and financial considerations, it’s important to find an agent you can trust to provide you the best coverage for your needs and your budget. The following questions will help you in your search for a reliable and honest insurance agent who has the expertise and the integrity to meet your insurance needs:
- Are you an independent agent?
Some insurance agents work for one particular insurance company, which means that they are only able to sell policies from that one company. Independent agents, however, work more like brokers who are able to shop around and present you with options from a variety of carriers. Working with an independent agent means that you will have access to competitive pricing and a range of policies so that you can choose the one that best suits you. You will also be able to compare policies from one insurance carrier to another, evaluating how they stack up against each other in price and policy terms.
- What types of coverage can you offer?
It takes time and effort to find an insurance agent you trust and to go through the process of vetting the agent for quality and experience. Why go through that process multiple times for each type of insurance you need? Finding out in advance whether the same agent can offer you automobile insurance, life insurance, and homeowner’s or renter’s insurance can make the overall process faster, easier, and more efficient for you.
- Who helps when I need to file a claim?
People don’t file claims when things are going well; claims are a sign that something unexpected and difficult has happened, like a car accident, theft, or damage to your home. This means that you are making phone calls and filling out unfamiliar documents when you are already in a state of stress. Having support from your insurance agent at this time is critical, so it’s important to ask up front what kind of help is available to you in the event you need to file a claim. Make sure that the agent you are considering will be able to offer you a level of support that will give you peace of mind should you ever need to file a claim.
- Do you have references I can contact?
One of the best ways to learn about the honesty and quality of work of any professional is to talk to the people who have worked with them before. Referrals, testimonials, and recommendations can all help fill in the blanks so you can have a complete picture of the person you are considering trusting with the protection of your most valuable assets.
- Can I get any discounts?
Particularly when you are working with one insurance agent for multiple policies, it may be possible to “stack” them or get a multi-policy discount. When looking for an insurance agent, ask what kinds of discounts they may be able to offer you, from stacking multiple policies to waiving fees or offering lower cost installments.
You may have to ask a few questions to find the right insurance agent for you, but once you do, you will have a trusted partner to help make sure you have protection for the things that matter most to you.