When Choosing and Insurance Agent:

Contact at least five different agents.

Consider using an insurance broker who can help you comparison shop.

Is the agent's office and staff professional?

Ask for customer references and contact them

Did the agent provide printouts of his proposal?

Did the agent provide brochures and company ratings of the companies appearing in the proposal?

Does the agent listens?

Are you are comfortable with the agent's recommendations and advice? Do you like the agent?

How quickly did the agent respond with a proposal?

How long has the agent been in business, and how long has the agent been associated with that agency?

Does the agent handle all lines of insurance? It's convenient and a good single agent will look at your entire portfolio and make suggestions that you might not have considered.

Will the agent handle your account on a daily basis?

Does the agent return your calls promptly?

Does the agent keep abreast of policy changes?

Talk to a prospective agents face to face.

Did the agent can create an insurance proposal meets your requests within your budget. Did they try and convince you to get a more expensive policy?

Consider using an independent agent because they sell the products of several companies. Telephone representatives and captive agents only sell the products of one company.

Visit your State Department of Insurance Web site. Review consumer complaints or disciplinary action against your agent.

Use your gut feeling to see if the agent has comprehensive knowledge of the industry and how insurance works.

Has the agent asked extensively about your unique financial position, risk management and asset growth?

Does the agent make you feel comfortable in the process?