A good insurance advisor will not only save you valuable time but will also save you precious dollars. The most astute advisors will be up to date with industry trends, concerned with your personal insurance needs and capable of explaining your options in an easily understood and accessible way.
Independent insurance agents are not wedded to one provider; this means you can guarantee impartial advice that will best suit you and your circumstances.
To help you find your perfect match, here are five tips to make the selection process easier.
Personal Recommendations
A personal recommendation from a friend or colleague is a great starting point. Testimonials from people you know and trust are an excellent measure of an advisor’s skills.
Research Complaints
Research complaints. Check out Facebook or Google Reviews and check-in with representative bodies or government agencies that regulate or licence insurance providers. You may want to steer clear of any agents that have numerous complaints or several poor reviews.
Interview Potential Advisors
Once you’ve drawn up a shortlist of potential agents, it is a good idea to meet them in person. There is no substitute for a face-to-face meeting when it comes to assessing someone’s experience, expertise, and ability to communicate effectively. Draw up a list of questions that you can ask each agent to compare their service offerings.
In addition, you will want to engage an agent that you can trust. Meeting them in person will help you to assess whether you would feel comfortable working with them.
What’s more, insurance policies can be complicated and convoluted. A good insurance agent will translate legal terms and outline the differences between policies and providers. An in-person meeting will give you a good idea if they can satisfy this requirement.
Check Out Their Credentials
Never assume that an insurance advisor is fully qualified and licensed. Double-check their credentials by asking to see their certification; this will give you peace of mind that the agent is, indeed, qualified to help you.
Specialist Advisors
Some advisors specialise in particular areas such as household, car, income protection or health insurance. If you have specific needs, then it may be worth considering a specialist advisor. They will be able to personalise their advice according to your needs.
Taking the time to select an agent that is a good fit for your needs will take all the hassle out of sourcing the best insurance and ensure that you are adequately covered should you ever need to make a claim.