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Arrive prepared

If you want your agent to give you good advice, he must be able to trust you to give him good answers to his questions. He must be confident in your ability to make good choices for yourself and for your family. You should come to your meeting prepared to give him truthful and complete information, so that he can recommend the policies that are best for you.

When you make an appointment with an insurance agent for the first time, ask him if there is anything you should bring with you to the meeting.

So, it’s a good idea to come to the meeting with the information you need to answer his questions.

• Autos, trucks, motorcycles, recreational vehicles – Bring copies of driver’s licenses and automobile registration information to your meeting. Be ready to answer questions about all the drivers in your family: their age, sex, driving record, driving training, how much they drive each year, and whether they smoke or talk on their cell phones while driving. The agent will want to know how much each vehicle is worth and whether it has been in any accidents.

• House, condominium, apartment – If you want to protect your home from theft or damage, the insurance agent will want information about the size of the house, the furniture and possessions you keep there, the neighborhood, the age and structure of the house, whether anyone in the family smokes, and the presence of alarms. Be sure to let your agent know if you own a trampoline or a swimming pool. Homeowner’s insurance can also protect you financially if someone is injured on your property.

• Business – Before you meet your agent, pay a professional to do a risk assessment, and bring the report to your meeting. Your agent will want to know about:

• Employees – How many employees you have and how dangerous their work is.

• Property – Your building, contents, equipment; whether you own or rent.

• Nature of business – Whether someone could be hurt by your products or injured by your work (such as tripping over a hole dug by a workman).

• Vehicles – How many and what kind of cars and trucks your company owns, rents, or uses.

• Key employees – How indispensable you are to the operation of your business. If you or another key employee were to become disabled or die, would your business suffer?

• Health – Bring information about every one in your family: their, age, medical condition, medical history, and personal habits (such as drinking, smoking, wearing a seat belt in the car). The agent will also ask you about your family’s health history.

• Life – Life insurance will help your family pay their bills if you die, including the cost of your funeral. Be ready to answer questions about how much debt you have and how much your family will need to live on after your passing.

Tips:

• Write down the questions you want to ask so you don’t forget during your meeting.

• Remember, you are not merely looking for good coverage at a good price. You are also looking for an agent who will give you the attention and advice you deserve.

Contact Affordable Family Insurance