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Eason Insurance Agency, Inc.(209) 723-07713321 G Street, Ste. AMERCEDCA Lic: 0C97581, 0610707

Life changes.Your insurance agent can help you stay in step.

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Let me help you get the protection you need.Whether you’ve had a baby and bought a new car, or now have a teenager on the road, your insurance should keep up with your life. Call today for a free review to help you decide what protection is right for you.

How to

ImportantPoints...

choose an Insurance agent

If you care enough to research for best insurance agent, your professional representative will care about you, too.

Why your carrier is importantThere are plenty of reasons to review

your insurance carrier – buying a new car, a new home, losing or changing jobs, or starting a new business are just a few. There types of insurance that are required by law or loan stipulations, such as car and home insurance, respectively. Then there are types of insurance that you need to think more about, like life or disaster insurance. Purchasing these and other plans may seem superfluous, but they’re important to pro-tecting yourself and your family from the financial costs associated with unforeseen events.

A good insurance agent can help you through financial situations spanning from auto accidents, to medical problems, to natural disasters. As you begin your search, keep in mind you have a couple of options. There are independent agents or captive agents, sometimes called “direct agents.” Independent agents may represent many different legitimate companies and can sometimes offer a better deal than the agent limited by one company. A captive agent writes exclusively with one company, but both independent and captive agents repre-sent a company or companies and receive commission from them.

For more complicated transactions, such as finding coverage for a small business, you may want to look into an insurance broker. Ideally, a broker represents your company to find the maximum coverage for the best possible price. They generally charge a fee for their service.

Characteristics to look forYou’ll want to choose an insurance agent

you can trust implicitly, not just with your money, but with the lives of you and your family. Do your research before you give out any information, especially your Social Security number or banking information.

If an agent approaches you with an offer that seems too good to be true, it prob-ably is. While most independent agents are legitimate, you may be better of finding an insurance company with a solid, long-standing reputation. Be especially wary if the agent cannot show credentials or doesn’t

have an office.Referrals from friends and family are a

great way to find an agent. One study from the National Association of Insurance Com-missioners (NAIC) suggests that 79 percent of consumers ask for advice from family and close friends when in the market for an insurance agent. Another 65 percent said they asked colleagues and acquaintances. Get to know their personality and how they work by asking questions about customer service, market trends and rate fluctuation. Many simply review insurance agents and agencies online. You’ll find a lot of larger companies this way, but many companies also post profiles of their independent agents. For small business needs, you may want to speak with a trade association of other business owners.

There is an option to forego an agent altogether and simply purchase coverage directly from the company online. However, for more complicated situations or if you simply want personal service, it’s best to stick with an agent.

When evaluating your list of potential agents, there are many things you should keep in mind. Have conversations with prospective agents, preferably in person, but over the phone is OK too. Explain your situ-ation and ask for a quote. While this number is not completely accurate, you also don’t have to work with them just for getting a quote. Get a feel for how the agent works and communicates. This will be a good indication if you’ll be able to work with him or her.

One of the easiest characteristics to judge is attitude. If the agent is responsive to calls and emails, it shows that they’re apprecia-

tive and respectful of your business. Make sure he or she is actively looking for new insurance solutions to solve your unique concerns and that the agents insurance philosophies match your own. Experience is relative, so make sure your agent has experi-ence in the areas you care about.

Look for letters behind the agent’s name. These represent designations and credentials they’ve earned from groups and associa-tions. Ask them what these credentials mean and what they had to do to earn them. Make sure the agent you’re working with is licensed in the state you’re being insured in. While you’re at it, check with an organiza-tion like the Better Business Bureau to see if the agent or their company has had any complaints filed against them.

The financial strength of the company is also important. There are five major fi-nancial rating services, each using different combinations of qualitative and quantitative data to assess the company. Generally, a rat-ing from A to F is assigned to the company, but be sure you understand the rating system before you automatically rule someone out.

Putting yourself firstDon’t be afraid to ask your prospective

agent for references. Sometimes this is the best way to get an accurate idea of their integrity and how they work. Ask questions and, when in doubt, move on. There are plenty of agents and companies out there.

Even with a stellar insurance agent, it’s important to develop your own personal knowledge of the business. Understanding the terms and coverage available will help you make informed decisions about the coverage you and your family or business require.

When you have a list of potential agents, make appointments with each of them and prepare your list of questions. Questions about quotes or coverage should be asked now, and if he or she doesn’t know the answer, they should know how to find it. If you’re using an independent agent, you should have plenty of different options. Evaluate these options with your agent to make sure you’re picking the most appropri-ate policy for your unique situation.

• Get Personalized Service. You may think that shopping online can get you the best prices, but you may be sacri-ficing customer service down the road.

• Protect Yourself. Don’t give any personal information, such as your social security num-ber, to anyone over the phone until you’ve verified the legiti-macy of the company you’re working with.

• Keep Good Records. ask for copies of all the paperwork you sign and keep a copy of the payment receipt or check for your initial payment.

• Ask the Right Questions. ask the agent if the company offers a full range of products and what kind of discounts they have for bundling insur-ance plans.

Do your research before you give out any information, especially

your Social Security number or banking

information.

HOW TO GUIDE 2013 HOW TO GUIDE 2013