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When it comes to your insurance, does it matter if the agent is captive to one company or one that represents multiple companies?

Captive Agent: Works solely for one insurance company (Allstate, State Farm, Farmers)
Independent Agent: Represents multiple insurance companies

Lets say that you are currently insured with Allstate and have been for the past 10 years. Allstate decided to raise there homeowners insurance by 30% this year. Last year you paid $800.00 for your homeowners insurance, this year it will cost you $1040.00.

Question:

1. Will you shop around for a lower rate or are you loyal to Allstate?
2. If an independent agent was able to save you $400.00/year would you switch companies?
3. What is the main reason that you would switch insurance providers?
4. Which agent would you prefer? (Captive agent or Independent agent)
5. Which agent do you think is looking out for your best interests? (Captive agent or Independent agent)

When it comes to your insurance protection what is most important to you? This is a very important question to ask yourself. If I was to rephase this question and ask you If all companies charged the same price, then what would concern you most?

Not all insurance companies are created equal, sure you can save money going with a no name company, but when that day comes where you have to file a claim, will your claim be paid out? If you end up in a lawsuit will your company back you up or will you be left to fend for yourself? If not, then how important is the savings now? I am not saying don't shop around for the best deal on your auto insurance, all I am saying is do some reasearch on that company to make sure they are a reputable company. Ask your friends and neighbors if they have any experiance with such a company.

Insurance is put in place to transfer the risk from you to the insurance company in exchange for a premium. All the risk is on the insurance company, if you are involved in an atfault accident and sued, the only party that is obligated to pay out is the insurance company. This is where having the right amount of coverage is important, if your insurance coverage isn't enough to satisfy a lawsuit then you will be stuck with the remainder of the monies to be paid out.

Steps to take to prevent this bad day from turing into a bad life:

1. Find out as much as you can about the insurance company.
2. Don't let the insurance company tell you what coverages you need or don't need, this should be determined by you and your agent.
3. Never settle for less coverage than you are currently carrying.

When it comes to insurance, you are the boss, your agent is working with you to help you choose the right protection plan for you and your family.

 

 

How many people put off life insurance until it is too late? People have mixed feelings about life insurance, its a waste of money, term -vs- whole life, I have no need for it, etc...

I am guilty for putting life insurance off myself until I realized what and why life insurance is there to help protect the ones we love. Life insurance to me is a peace of mind knowing that my loved ones will be able to go on living when I am gone.

How many people out there have extra money laying around to pay for someones final expenses? I know I sure don't, so how would you feel if someone close to you past away with out having any life insurance and you were left with the bill? I bet you wouldn't be too happy knowing that you will now have to come up with a few thousand dollars to lay them to rest.

I was talking to someone the other day who happened to be in this exact situation. She was 32 at the time and her husband was only 35 when he died of a massive heart attack right in the middle of ther living room. Unfortunately for her, he did not have any life insurance at the time and his family didn't have any money to help with the final expenses. After his death, she drained there bank account to pay for all the funeral expenses, had to get a part-time job to try and make ends meet. She ended up losing there house and having to move into an apartment.

Life insurance is something that we all tend to keep putting off, thinking that we are in good health and nothing bad could possibly happen to us...

I want to hear your thoughts and opinion on this topic.

Do you think your current insurance agent is a salesperson or an adviser (See Salesperson -vs- Adviser)?

I want to know what it is about your current insurance agent that you like or dislike.

Tell me a little about your agent, did they explain your coverages to you?

How were your coverages selected?

Why did you select your current agent?

If all insurance companies charged the same price what would be most important to you in selecting your insurance plan?

I am asking for your help, so I will be able to build my agency around what is most important to you the insured.





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I was in the basement working on the computer when my daughter comes down to inform me that some of the kids in the neighborhood are shooting there BB gun at the house. Julia and I head outside to find no kids around with a BB gun. The last thing we need right now is broken windows and dents in the vehicles. Looking back at what we use to do as youngsters is really a scary thought.

I was thinking who would people rather work with a salesperson or an adviser? Here are key differences between the two that I could think of, if you know of anymore, please add to the list.

Salesperson

• Pushy
• Phone Quote
• Don't Care
• Outgoing
• Manipulative
• Out for themselves

Adviser

• Knowledgeable
• Good Listener
• Educator
• Client-First
• Helpful
• Integrity - Ethical
• Dependable

After breaking the two down it was obvious to me who I would rather work with... I am sure everyone has had an encounter with both an adviser and a salesperson, which one was a more comfortable experience?

I want to hear you thoughts and stories on this topic.

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