Insurance agent: does the word sound familiar to you? The figure of a family member or a person who bothers you to meet your monthly sales goal may come to mind. Or remember a person rushing to make a last-minute investment to save on income taxes.
A good insurance agent is like a good doctor or lawyer that you should have a good relationship with. You never know when you will be faced with an emergency that needs the help of an insurance agent. Selling you an insurance product is only a very small function that an agent must perform. As a professional dealing with insurance products, you can play an important role in securing your future and that of your family, in planning important events in your life, such as your child’s marriage or planning for retirement. The following are some of the important attributes to look for in an insurance agent:
1. I should be a good educator
The world of personal finance evolves day by day. Companies are courting clients with new investment products and sales gimmicks. A good insurance advisor is someone who should help you eliminate clutter and determine what your exact financial goals are and recommend products to help you achieve them. You should be well informed about the new products available on the market, what are their key features, how safe or risky they are, and what kind of instruments they invest in, so that I can give you in-depth advice.
2. You should be the seller of products for various insurance companies.
This way you can offer options and help you select the product that best suits your needs. If you sell products from an insurance company, then they would be more interested in you buying it rather than determining which one is best for you.
3. Level of customer service
Your insurance agent should facilitate your interaction with the insurer. He should make it easy for you to pay your premium, send you reminders when your premiums are due, and keep you updated on the status of your policy. In short, you should act as a single point of contact between you and the insurance company.
4. Assist you in the claim process.
Claiming insurance is a very important process. You usually ask for a claim when you are in a state of distress, such as the death of your breadwinner or a health insurance claim when someone in your family is hospitalized. Similarly, you would need a prompt settlement of your claim if you want to fund a planned event, such as your child’s education. A good insurance agent should help you with this process, help you with the paperwork, and promote your case to officials at the insurance company. He should be your advocate with the insurer and facilitate prompt and proper claims.
Selecting an insurance agent is more important than selecting an insurance product itself, as a good agent will automatically help you plan your insurance portfolio. In addition to this, you should put in the quality time and effort to plan your insurance portfolio with your advisor.