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So many folks out there have no idea just how to choose a good
family insurance agent. In this hub I’ll give you a few pointers
on how to choose a good Marietta insurance agent, one who’ll look
out after you and your family’s needs.
Identify Your Needs
To begin, you’ll have to identify just what’s important to you. Just
for grins, I took a short poll of people around my office and here’s
a list of what’s important to them in choosing a family insurance agent.
• A referral from a friend
• Agent represents more than one company
• Location
• Credentials
• A good personality
• Knowledge about their products
• Honesty
• Customer service
• A good product at a fair price
In the next few sections I’ll explore each of these points a little closer.
A Referral From A Friend
Ask a friend who they use as their Marietta insurance agent.
I’d venture to guess that most people end up doing business with those who’ve
been referred to them by friends. Who better to give you advice on what local
insurance agent to use than one of your close friends who has worked with the
same agent for several years. They’re in a much better position to provide you
with the positives and negatives about that agent than you may learn from any
advertising source. So make sure you look to your friends when shopping for
your family insurance agent.
Agent Represents More Than One Insurance Company
There are two basic types of insurance agents.•
Direct Writers – Those agents who are employees of an insurance
company. Direct Writers represent only the products and services
that their insurance company has to offer.
• Independent Insurance Agents – Agents who generally work for an
independent insurance agency. Independent insurance agencies represent more
than one company. They are typically able to provide you with more product
and coverage options than direct writers.
While these two types of agents are certainly different each has their advantage.
I’ve found that many clients truly enjoy the options that come with the independent
agent while others prefer the big company branding that seems to come along with
the direct writers.
Location
Just how important is it for you to be able to visit your agents office? Believe
me when something goes wrong on an insurance policy your best friend and advocate
for correcting the problem will more than likely be your agent! So is it important
for you be able to visit your agents office? Sometimes. How close to your home or
place of work is their office? What are their office hours? If the need arises,
will you be able to make it to your agents office, conduct business and make it
back to work over your lunch time? Just a few things for you to think about!
Credentials
A good Marietta insurance agent will help you establish adequate liability limits,
properly evaluate replacement cost of your home and contents, advise you
on deductible options, life insurance limits, retirement planning and many
more specific insurable situations with the sole purpose of providing you
with adequate asset protection.
So the continuing education of your agent is extremely important. Look
for an agent with continuing education credentials
A Good Personality
You’ll need to be able to get along with your agent. Believe me,
you don’t have to be best friends, but it’s always nice when you can
work with someone who’s company you enjoy. Life is way to short! Find
an agent you like!
Knowledge About Their Products
An absolute must!
The Marietta insurance agent you select must have broad knowledge about
the products and services they have to offer. You’ll find there
is a broad spectrum of agents hawking their goods ranging from
those who are great salesmen/women with little product knowledge
to those who know their product like the back of their hand!
Remember, you’re choosing someone who’s main job is to provide
protection to your family. Protection from loss of family assets
with liability coverage, protection form the loss of family income
with various life insurance products, protection from the loss of
home and property with various property insurance products. So it
is very important that the family insurance agent you choose knows
his or her products inside and out!
Honesty
Well…..believe it or not, there are insurance agents who are not
honest! Fortunately, dishonest agents are very few and far between.
Just how can you tell who’s honest or not. That’s a hard question.
Think about people you meet on the street. Can you tell if the man
in the blue suit carrying the briefcase is honest or how about that
lady in the green hat?
When it comes to honesty I’ll defer you to two of the above
sections. First, deal with someone who has been referred to
you by a friend. Second, look for those agents who take their
business serious and prove it by achieving professional
designations. And remember, honesty is something that
is proven over time, again and again.
Customer Service
Look for an agent who will service your account.
I find so many times you’ll secure an insurance policy from
an agent only to have all the service work done by someone
else in the agency. When it seems like every time you call
to have your policy modified and you find you’re being passed
off to someone else, someone who you’ve never met, then I’d
start looking for another agent! It’s true, in some agencies,
after the original sale, you may never talk with your agent
again! Well…..unless you need to purchase another policy!
Enough!
Again, find an agent who will service your account. It’s ok
to talk with others in the agency at times but you should
always have access to your agent. Make sure you do.
A Good Product at A Fair Price
You can always find it CHEAPER! No matter what you’re looking
for, milk, bread, shoes….but when it comes to protecting your
family and your hard earned assets is “cheaper” always better?
For some, purchasing auto insurance from “the cheapest insurance
in town” agency may be ok. But for many buying the “cheapest” may
not be in their best interest!
Be wary, there really are significant differences in insurance
products and a good Marietta insurance agent will help you make a sound
purchasing decision for your family.
Summary
When shopping for a family insurance agent remember
to look for an individual who takes what they do seriously.
Check referrals, credentials and verify who will perform your
policy service work. Ask about products and pricing, don’t
forget, the “cheapest” insurance may not be in your best interest
when it comes time for the product to protect your assets!
And if you are looking for a great business insurance agent
these same guides apply, just turn your efforts towards a
professional insurance agent who has knowledge in the business
insurance arena.
Hopefully this hub will help you find the best insurance
agent for your needs!