Use the form on the right to get cheap free
personalized
quotes instantly. Simply
compare the prices and pick the policy that is best for you.
Do it Now! just a few minutes of your time can save you as much as
$500 or more on your insurance!
This article discusses
how to find local licensed insurance agents
brokers. Insurance is an arcane and sometimes tedious field,
but some research will help you make useful comparisons when your
insurance agent suggests a particular program. Don't rely on him to
sell you the right policy. Be informed so that you can make qualitative
judgments of the products. You want to know what value you will get per
dollar of premium.
When comparing policies, look for:
Amount of coverage.
Exclusions from coverage, if any.
Size of deductibles (that part of any loss claims you must pay first).
Other terms and conditions.
The difference between an agent and a broker:
An agent represents the companies whose policies he sells. All agents
are independent except those who represent companies that deal directly
with the public. Example: Allstate and GEICO have employee-agents, while
others, like State Farm and Liberty Mutual, use agents under exclusive
contract to represent only them.
A broker represents you and other clients when dealing with the
companies from whom he buys policies on your behalf.
An agent or broker's expertise is usually in either life or
property/casualty. If he handles both, he may not have equal competence.
However, if he's with a large organization, there should be adequate
backup support available to him.
Selecting an agent. Interview all agent-candidates (after checking the
companies with which they deal). See
insurance agents
for more information.
Sources:
Referrals from friends.
Large, reputable insurance companies who list their agents in the Yellow
Pages.
Large and established agencies and brokerages. Avoid part-time and
marginal agents.
To avoid payment and refund problems: Always keep proof of payment.
Most state laws view brokers and agents as insurance-company
representatives in premium transactions. Therefore, when you pay the
salesperson, you are paying the insurance company. The receipt should
indicate that the insurance firm is contracting to provide the specific
policy and is crediting the premiums paid to the agent.
Potential problems:
Policy cancellation for nonpayment of premium. If you can prove you
paid the agent, it is up to the insurance company to collect the money.
You are legally insured.
No insurance. You order and pay for protection, but a policy never
arrives. No problem:
You are insured if you can produce your receipt (as above).
No refund. If your insurance agent neglects to send money due you
because of a cance1ed policy or reduced coverage, request the money
directly from the insurance company. They are obligated to pay you.
(However, if your broker or agent cashes your refund check, proving the
forgery may delay your payment.)
Be cautious of an agent who gives a super low premium quote. He may be
tricking you. When the bill comes, the premium may really be much
higher. If the insurance quote seems too low, ask for it in writing,
with full particulars. If you are refused, find another agent.
Policy replacement. This may be suggested by competent life insurance
people to improve your protection or reduce the cost. However, a greedy
agent knows he will get a higher sales commission for the first few
years if you replace a life policy. So compare the old and new policies
carefully and consult with experts.
Clean sheeting: Salesman fails to report a health condition that would
make the applicant uninsurable. When the supposedly insured makes a
claim, the lie comes to light and the company refuses to pay. Defense:
Ask to see the health report that the agent sends to the company. This
should note any pre-existing conditions.
Stacking: Selling a client more coverage than he or she needs or can
afford. Defense:
Don't carry more than one policy with the same coverage. Double coverage
is not allowed by most insurance companies.
Scare tactics: The "buy now because you may not be able to get insurance
later" pitch. Defense: Don't deal with an agent who arouses suspicion.
Ask for a complete explanation.
To get recourse for a problem that your agent or insurance company will
not resolve, file a complaint with your state's insurance commission.
While searching the internet for
local licensed insurance agents brokers
be sure to
add to your search string the name of your state and city so that you
get
local licensed insurance agents brokers.
For your convenient here is a list of US
states and biggest cities: in Alabama AL, in Alaska AK, in Arizona AZ,
in Arkansas AR, in California CA, in Colorado CO, Connecticut CT,
Delaware DE, District of Columbia DC, in Florida FL, Georgia FL, Hawaii
HI, Idaho ID, Illinois IL, Indiana IN, Iowa IA, Kansas KS, Kentucky KY,
Louisiana LA, Maine ME, Maryland MD, Massachusetts MA, in Michigan MI,
Minnesota MN, Mississippi MS, Missouri MO, Montana MT, Nebraska NE,
Nevada NV, New Hampshire NH, in New Jersey NJ, New Mexico NM, in New
York NY, North Carolina NC, North Dakota ND, Ohio OH, Oklahoma OK,
Oregon OR, Pennsylvania PA, Puerto Rico PR, Rhode Island RI, South
Carolina SC, South Dakota SD, Tennessee TN, in Texas TX, in Utah UT,
Vermont VT, Virginia VI, Washington WA, West Virginia WV, Wisconsin WI,
Wyoming WY. in New York, in Los Angeles, in Chicago, in Houston, in
Philadelphia, in Phoenix, in San Antonio, San Diego, in Dallas, in San
Jose, Detroit, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, in San Francisco, in
Columbus, Ohio, Austin, Memphis, Baltimore, Fort Worth, Charlotte, El
Paso, Milwaukee, Seattle, Boston, Denver, Louisville- Jefferson County,
Washington, Nashville-Davidson, in Las Vegas, Portland, Oklahoma City,
Tucson, Albuquerque, Long Beach, Atlanta, Fresno, Sacramento, New
Orleans, Cleveland, Kansas City, UK, Virginia Beach, Omaha, Oakland,
Miami, Canadian, Canada, Northern Ireland, Australia, Tulsa, Honolulu,
Minneapolis, Colorado Springs, Arlington.
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