| Insurance 101 - Finding The Right Agent | | | | Meet each agent in person. If to this point you |
| The field of insurance is complicated and highly | | | | have only talked with your potential agents over |
| specialized. Few people know a lot about it, and | | | | the phone, insist that any follow-up meetings be |
| most of us find it confusing, boring, or both. | | | | face-to-face. Do the agents appear professional? |
| Insurance agents are often held in similar esteem | | | | Do their offices seem well-managed? If not, then |
| to used car salesmen, and as a result, our | | | | these are factors to take into consideration. |
| insurance needs are often put on the backburner | | | | Keep in mind that a good agent will ask you |
| until it is too late. | | | | plenty of questions to find the right policies for |
| Having the appropriate insurance coverage for | | | | you. The difference between a salesman and an |
| your various needs is a crucial element of financial | | | | insurance professional should be readily apparent. |
| security, and thus it should not be overlooked. | | | | Don't buy insurance from someone who tries to |
| Finding the right insurance agent, with whom you | | | | guilt you into purchasing more than you think you |
| can determine what types of coverage are right | | | | can afford, or intimidate you with what he or she |
| for you, makes navigating the complex world of | | | | considers their superior knowledge. In fact, |
| insurance considerably less difficult. | | | | learning as much as you can about the different |
| Three Steps To Get Started | | | | types of insurance that you're in the market for |
| Shop around. Talk with at least five agents from | | | | can be your best defense against an agent who is |
| at least three different companies or offices. Talk | | | | more of a salesman than a true professional. |
| with them about your insurance needs and see | | | | Making the Final Selection |
| what types of coverage they have in mind. | | | | Before signing the dotted line, it is important to do |
| Compare not only the premiums you will pay, but | | | | a little more homework. First, review the financial |
| also the coverage being provided. | | | | stability of the agent's company. If the company |
| A good agent will explain things thoroughly, and it | | | | goes under, then all of the premiums you will |
| should be evident whether they are looking out | | | | have paid won't amount to anything. |
| for their own interests by trying to sell you the | | | | There are several annual reports on the financial |
| most insurance possible, or looking out for you by | | | | soundness of insurance firms, the most famous |
| trying to find the types of insurance that best suit | | | | of which is Best's Insurance Reports. |
| your needs. Visiting with at least four or five | | | | Secondly, check your state's insurance |
| agents will make these distinctions clear. | | | | department for claims and complaint information |
| Evaluate. Evaluate the different types of | | | | on your agent's company. Some companies |
| coverage proposed by each agent you meet. You | | | | develop a bad reputation for not paying on claims, |
| should be able to eliminate at least two agents | | | | and no matter how friendly your agent is, it is |
| from consideration right away. Schedule follow-up | | | | important to remember that insurance is a |
| meetings with the other agents to ask them any | | | | financial product, and you and your agent are |
| new questions you might have. | | | | ultimately involved in an impersonal, business |
| Also, call the Better Business Bureau to see if any | | | | transaction. |
| of the agents you are considering have had any | | | | While it is important to have an agent with whom |
| complaints against them. If so, what were the | | | | you can get along, at the end of the day, your |
| complaints? An agent with a bad record should | | | | insurance must be a useful element in your |
| definitely be avoided. | | | | financial planning. |