| Think about your present insurance. Do you have | | | | they are doing something right. "Word of Mouth" |
| a great advisor or was it more a default | | | | is solid gold compared to the fluff of any |
| selection? | | | | marketing campaign. |
| By default, did you succumb to marketing | | | | There are two types of insurance agents: Direct |
| strategy based on advertising or do you have a | | | | Writers and Independent Insurance Agencies. |
| trusted advisor based on relationship? | | | | The Direct Writers are employees of an insurance |
| Which do you think can help you best: nameless, | | | | company and only represent the products and |
| faceless entity with "employee-du-jour" or | | | | services that their insurance company has to |
| someone who makes a commitment to be there | | | | offer. Because Independent Insurance Agencies |
| for your family and business? | | | | represent more than one company, they can give |
| Unfortunately many folks don't realize the value | | | | you more product and coverage options than |
| of choosing an insurance advisor and fall prey to | | | | direct writers. This is truly your "one stop" shop |
| the marketing schemes that focus solely on | | | | for making protection choices. |
| costs. The upshot is that they become reliant on | | | | You want an agent who values their business |
| someone that doesn't properly understand their | | | | through professionalism and honesty. Look for |
| needs. How can you possibly expect someone to | | | | someone who has an ongoing commitment to |
| assess your needs unbiased when their focus is | | | | insurance education as well as a proven track |
| on cost? | | | | record. And remember, a good insurance agent |
| You wouldn't schedule surgery with the cheapest | | | | listens to your needs and then shows you ways |
| doctor, would you? Your selection would be based | | | | to meet them. Unfortunately, there are some |
| on their credentials and trust In terms of | | | | agents hawking their goods ranging from those |
| protection, wouldn't you also want someone who | | | | who are great salesmen/women with little |
| is capable of satisfying those needs with your | | | | product knowledge to those who know their |
| best interests at heart? | | | | product like the back of their hand! Cheaper isn't |
| Choosing a great insurance advisor involves some | | | | always "better". |
| key factors: | | | | A good insurance agent compares "apples to |
| * Trust | | | | apples" not "apples to oranges" to give you the |
| * Represents more than one company | | | | best value for your needs. Remember, you're |
| * Professionalism | | | | choosing someone whose main job is to provide |
| * A good product at a fair price | | | | protection to your family. So it is vital that they |
| People like to do business with someone they | | | | are a knowledgeable professional whose focus is |
| trust. If someone has been established in the | | | | on your needs. |
| community for a number of years, it means that | | | | |