Choosing An Agent

Insurance Agents are chosen for many reasons. Some, not always are the right ones. Be sure to consider the following key points when choosing an Agent that is right for you.

Is your agent pro-active? Your insurance agent should be proactive in contacting you about changes you should make to your business or personal insurance. Most businesses change from year to year, payrolls increase, operations change, vehicles and equipment are purchased.

• Is your agent performing a yearly review to go over your changes?
• Are they “shopping around” with their insurance carriers to find you the best rates and coverage?
• Do you find you are calling around every year or so to find a better rate or coverage? You then contact your agent, only to find they now can offer a better deal after you are about to leave them.
• Do you then keep your business with them now that they matched another offer simply because you’ve been there for a long time? Your agent should be giving you innovative suggestions to control your insurance costs.
• Increase your deductibles on your home, buildings & vehicles.
• Take collision off your older vehicles.
• Increase the value of your properties to meet policy requirements.
• Obtain Motor Vehicle Records and pre-employment screening for new employees BEFORE hiring.

Your insurance agent should earn your business every year by performing. Consider retaining your insurance agent on their performance instead of longevity. Select an agent or agency who demonstrates that they have a pre-active system of keeping you informed on a yearly basis and has a proven track record of prompt, timely service. Most importantly, make sure they bring “value” to you with ideas and information.

Call me for a 2nd opinion on your insurance. 800-564-0900

I have noticed more people interested in buying auto insurance over the internet or through an 800 number.

As an insurance professional, I find this trend very intriguing.
After all, buying auto insurance is not like buying a computer, cell phone or any other commodity. 

So, with this in mind, I wanted to find out for myself what type of advice I would get attempting to purchase auto insurance.    I decided to call a well known company you see on TV, radio and everywhere.    

The sales rep was very friendly and polite.  As we began, she was more interested in quoting a comparison price based on my current coverage versus offering me advice on what coverage I should have.   When I asked her recommendations, she asked if I was a homeowner and promptly recommended $100K/$300K bodily injury limits and said I could go LOWER to save money.  $100,000 of liability coverage does not go very far if someone is severally injured.  Amazing, I thought, her goal was to save me money instead of protecting me.   Our agents would have used these limits as the minimum and would have recommended higher limits. 

Next discussion was about collision and comprehensive coverage.   She recommended no collision on 2 of my older vehicles even though their value is $4,000 and $7,000.  Our agents would have reviewed the additional cost to have collision versus the financial impact of losing $7,000 after an accident.  

In the end their rate was higher than my current policy, $1,496 vs $1,236 with considerably lower liability limits and higher deductibles.  So, all the offers of saving money may be appealing but not when it’s at the expense of reduced coverage. Consider the value of advice from an insurance professional as a key ingredient in making a buying decision.