How To

How to Find a Good Insurance Agent

By eHow Personal Finance Editor
Rate: (13 Ratings)

In general, there are two types of insurance agents - independent agents who write for more than one company and contract agents who represent a single company.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Car Insurance
  • Health Insurance
  • Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Storm Insurance
  1. Step 1

    Contact at least five different agents. Consider using an insurance broker who can help you comparison shop.

  2. Step 2

    Consider the agent's office and professional staff. Ask for customer references and contact some of them to find out how they like the agent and their services.

  3. Step 3

    Ask for printouts of any proposal they offer.

  4. Step 4

    Ask for the A. M. Best rating of the company offering the policy. Best is the oldest industry monitoring company. An A or A++ rating from Best signifies a good reputation and solid financial foundation.

  5. Step 5

    Deal only with an agent who wants to sell a policy you need and can afford rather than the policy that he or she wants to sell you.

Tips & Warnings
  • Seek out an agent that listens.
  • A good agent will ask questions about your insurance needs.
  • Make sure you are comfortable with the agent's recommendations and advice. Don't do business with someone you don't like; find another agent who represents the same company.
  • In addition to price and personality, evaluate how quickly an agent responds to your needs.
  • Avoid agents who won't take seriously your concerns about buying the best coverage possible for the least amount of premium.

Comments  

| View All 9 Comments

Eurocrat said

Flag This Comment

on 12/5/2008 You might want to consider a fraternal insurance company as these insurance companies offer member benefits beyond what typical commercial insurance companies offer. Agents seem to have more of a stake in fraternal companies as they themselves are often members.

Flag This Comment

on 10/30/2008 I am not sure how a consumer would find a good agent other than through a referral. Otherwise, you are learning about your agent through trial and error.
http://www.lowcostaffordableinsurance.com/low_cost_life_insurance.php

aaatexas said

Flag This Comment

on 7/15/2008 "Step 4 Ask for the A. M. Best rating of the company offering the policy. Best is the oldest industry monitoring company. An A or A++ rating from Best signifies a good reputation and solid financial foundation."

AAA Texas is an A+ Superior rated company by the way...

aaatexas said

Flag This Comment

on 7/6/2008 A great way to save on your car insurance is to switch to a member-owned company which will allow you to get lower rates. Once a member of AAA Texas you are eligible for their insurance products.

If you contact me for a new membership, I will:

-waive $20 admission fee on AAA membership
-include a FREE spouse/associate member (an additional $26 savings!)
-provide a FREE, no obligation, comprehensive insurance review (average AAA member saves over $350 a year on their car insurance!)

My contact information is below:

Paula Harold
AAA Texas
harold.paula@aaa-texas.com
1-800-222-8586 ext.5078

I'd love to answer any questions about the membership or insurance in general. Just send me an email!

GNGAmerica said

Flag This Comment

on 6/5/2008 Many Insurance brokers specialize in a certain niches as the insurance market is so vast. Some agents specialize in personal lines insurance (Auto, Homeowners, Life) while others specialize in commercial insurance (Business, Commercial property, Equipment, Construction, etc.) Some will do both personal and commercial to some degree. Ask your potential broker if they specialize in the insurance you need.

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Have you done this? Click here to let us know.

I Did This

Related Ads

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

eHow Personal Finance
eHow_eHow Business and Finance