5 things your insurance agent wishes you knew

We’re all human, and we’re all unique. We all have unique lives, situations, and dreams—many built with sweat, discipline, and focus. So it’s essential to protect the things that you’ve worked so hard to achieve with the right insurance policy. The first step in protecting the life around you is speaking with an insurance agent who understands your hard work and sacrifice. With your agent’s help, you can protect everything that’s important to you.

Here are five important things expert insurance agents want you to know.
  

  
INSURANCE AGENTS CAN’T READ YOUR MIND
An insurance agent can provide you with insurance coverage. But to craft a custom policy that meets your needs, you should supply your agent with as much information as possible. By learning about your personal life and situation, your agent can determine the protection you need to insure your family and property adequately. If you have a specific or unique need, such as covering an expensive heirloom or a pet, speak up to make sure you receive the coverage you need. Laying out your full situation up front can save you money down the road in the event you didn’t purchase the right coverage and a claim is rejected.

YOUR AGENT NEEDS TO KNOW WHEN YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE
If you have a new teenage driver, your agent needs to know. If you’re about to close on your dream home, your agent needs to know. Remodeling? Getting married? You get the idea. A change in your life means your insurance coverage likely needs to change, too. Talk with your agent at least once a year. It’s an excellent opportunity to see if your policy needs to be updated based on any changes that have occurred.

  

  

PROVIDING OPEN AND HONEST INFORMATION CAN HELP PROTECT YOU
If you’ve had an accident or legal trouble, don’t worry—insurance agents don’t judge. Instead, they’ll use this information to help you make the best decisions in purchasing the right policies based on your needs. By providing honest information, you can avoid a rejected claim that may cause you to pay out-of-pocket due to providing falsified information.

DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRES DIFFERENT TYPES OF INSURANCE
Insurance is based on personal needs, and those vary from person to person. What’s best for a young family with children will not be best for an older couple who winters in Florida. Likewise, someone who owns a farm in Kansas will need a very different policy than someone who lives in an apartment in Philadelphia.

  

  

YOU CAN ASK AS MANY QUESTIONS AS YOU WANT
Insurance is a complex topic, and the terminology is equally complex. Insurance agents don’t expect you to understand it all, so don’t hesitate to ask questions. If you want to know why your policy is set up a certain way, ask. A good insurance agent will answer your questions (a reluctance to answer may indicate that you should work with someone else). Additionally, ask about discounts. Insurance providers offer multiple discounts based on your driving history, the number of cars you own, your age, and more. These discounts could save you a lot of money over the years.

BOTTOM LINE
Having an honest dialogue with an insurance agent who can understand your individual needs will likely yield better results than purchasing insurance through other channels. By sharing your personal situation and asking the right questions, you can drive and live with confidence knowing you have the protection you need for the unique life you’ve created.