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A Guide To Finding The Right Insurance Agent

Finding the right insurance agent can be difficult. There are dozens, even hundreds of insurance agencies to choose from, but how do you know if any of them are reputable?

Picking the right agent is important because they’re the ones who will be helping you find the right insurance policies for your needs. If they don’t have years of experience working with similar insurance needs and extensive knowledge about a particular type of policy or product, then you could be missing out on key information that could save you money.

SF Services helps you choose which insurance is right for you.

There are several ways to find a good insurance agent who will take care of your insurance needs. Here is how you can get started:

  • Ask for Recommendations from People You Trust
  • Read Reviews of Insurance Agents Online
  • Interview The Agent With These Questions
  • Get At Least 3 Quotes From 3 Different Agents

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Ask For Recommendations

Ask for recommendations from friends and family members. If you don’t know anyone who uses an insurance agency near you, then ask your friends and family members if they have a recommendation for a local agent. They may have had a positive experience that you can benefit from.

You can also ask for recommendations from your employer. Many companies offer their employees the opportunity to select their own insurance agency, which means they probably know someone who works closely with a local company. That’s another way to get an accurate recommendation that can help you make the right decision in regards to choosing an agency near me.

Try asking your auto mechanic or a trusted business owner who is in a similar line of work as you are. If you need home or commercial insurance, ask your realtor for a recommendation. 

Read Reviews

The Internet makes it very easy to find reviews written by actual customers. Not only will they tell you how great an agent is, but they’ll also give you a heads up on any serious problems that have arisen in their experience with them. You can also check to see whether the insurance agency has any complaints against it and read up on the services it offers its customers.

Once you have gotten a good list of recommended agents, you can begin searching for reviews about those agents on various platforms like Google, Facebook, and Yelp. To begin searching, go to the search engine of your choice (for example, Google) and type in name of the insurance agent you want to find reviews for. As a comparison, you should find at least 10-15 great reviews with written descriptions about why the agent deserved the review.

Interview The Agent

Yes, interview the insurance agents you are considering purchasing your insurance through. After all, they are the ones working for you! Whether you’re looking for car insurance or health insurance, it’s important to find an agent who can help you make the best decision. To help your search, here are some questions to ask your list of prospective agents.

Questions to Ask Prospective Insurance Agents:

1) What type of insurance coverage do you offer?

2) How long have you been in this business?

3) How long have you worked with this company?

4) Are you licensed to sell all the products that you offer?

5) Do you have a license in this state, or if you do business in multiple states, those states?

6) What is your commission rate on the products that I buy?

7) How long will it take to get a quote from this company?

8 ) What is the coverage limit on my policy?

9 ) What are your normal office hours? 

The answers to these questions should give you a very good idea of which agent will be the best fit for your coverage needs and budget. 

Get Multiple Quotes and Ask About Discounts

Once you have narrowed the list down to the top few agents, request a quote. By this point in the search, you will have a good idea of exactly what kind of insurance coverage you need. Make sure you get at least 3 different quotes from 3 agents so you can compare the type and amount of coverage, as well as the cost of the policy. And to be clear, don’t just get one quote from one agency, get 3 quotes from each agency that is quoting you. Most agents are able to offer you different coverage limits at different prices, so you want to see all your options before making the decision on the policy that is right for you. This works especially well if you are getting quotes from an independent agent like SF Services, who can deliver multiple quotes from different insurance providers like Progressive, Liberty Mutual, Allstate, and 17 other carriers. 

Additionally, some insurance agents offer discounts for having more than one policy with the agency, or for having a good driving record. This could be a great way to save a lot of money on your policy premiums. 

Purchase Your Policy, But Always Keep Shopping

Once you have chosen your agency, make sure you regularly shop for the best coverage and premium price. Again, a significant benefit for purchasing your insurance through an independent insurance agent is that they can shop all their carriers for you each time you want to check for the best coverage or the best deal. Insurance rates and factors that influence those rates are always changing, like age, driving history, or provider rates. Sometimes shopping your policy each year could result in hundreds or thousands of dollars in savings, or it could provide you additional coverage in the event of a life update. 

Getting the right insurance can mean the difference between a smooth, worry-free life with insurance and a world of problems. It’s important to make sure you get the right policies for your needs at the best price. When you’re trying to find the right insurance agent, these tips will help guide you from start to finish, and act as a good reminder for you when shopping for additional policies in the future.