In a way, finding the best car insurance agent is like a finding a physician, a lawyer, or a personal financial advisor. You want someone who has extensive experience in all aspects of the industry and whom you can trust. This individual should be someone who is willing to tell you what you need to hear, not necessarily what you want to hear.
This means you don’t just want to latch on to someone who says they’ll get you the lowest car insurance rates. Even though you may understandably want to get the lowest price you can on your car insurance, the least expensive policy may not be the best one if it doesn’t serve your needs.
Get Referrals
You should probably start out by asking for referrals from the people in your life, such as family members, relatives and trusted friends. You can certainly go online as well, but if you do this, you should make it a point to meet them in person. Keep in mind that this agent is someone with whom you will be sharing some intimate details of your life, and there is no substitute for face-to-face interaction and listening to your intuition.
Captive Agent or Independent?
This largely depends on your personal situation; each has advantages and disadvantages. A “captive” agent is contracted to work for one specific company. On one hand, this person may have a base salary, meaning s/he will not have an incentive to try and upsell you on coverage you may not need. On the other hand, s/he can only offer you the products of that specific company, which may or may not meet your needs.
Don’t get us wrong; a captive agent may be the best thing for you if you have several policies with a single company and a very limited or no claim history. For example, if you have a homeowner’s or renter’s policy and life insurance with a particular company such as Farmers or Allstate and a good to excellent driving record, this company is likely to offer you a discount on your car insurance as well.
If your driving record is less than stellar, however, an independent agent who represents several different carriers is a better choice, because s/he is more likely to be able to find you the best rates possible.
Go With Broad Experience
Many people get into insurance sales because they are good with people and good at selling – and therefore, can develop an excellent income limited only by the hours they’re willing to put into it and the number of contacts they’re willing to make. Adjusters, underwriters and claims handlers are usually on salary – but these people really know the ins and outs of the industry.
Of course, some of these people eventually go on to become sales agents.
The point here is that an agent who has experience in other facets of the insurance industry will probably be better able to find you coverage that fits your specific needs. If you can, look for an agent who has worked as a claims adjuster or underwriter; such experience can greatly benefit you.
Check Their Credentials
Finally, it’s important to check their credentials with the office of your state’s Insurance Commissioner. Find out if any complaints have been filed against the agent and the status of his license.
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