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| Finding an insurance professional |
Insurance agents sell several insurance products; each product requires a separate license (health, casualty, life, business, long term care, annuities). State Insurance Departments maintain annual analyses of complaints filed against insurance companies and agencies. Insurance agents can be independent agents who have access to different policies for different companies. Direct writers work for one company and captive agents are independent contractors for major insurance companies. Associations often contract with insurance companies to provide member's benefits. When choosing an agent you are actually choosing two parties - the insurance company and the agent. You should be comfortable with both. Insurance companies are rated by independent services such as A.M. Best, Moody's and Duff & Phelps.
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The following questions may help in your selection:
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- What insurance products (ex: life, casualty, health, business, etc) do you offer?
- How long has your agency been in business?
- How long have you been with this agency?
- How long have you been selling insurance?
- What did you do before you sold insurance?
- What trainings or continuing education classes have you completed? When were they?
- Do you have a professional designation such as Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), or Certified Financial Planner (CHF)?
- When are you available and how do I contact you? Who do I talk to if you're not available?
- How are claims handled and by whom?
- How can you accommodate any future changes that I have in my life with regard to insurance needs and planning?
- What other services do you provide?
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