Reasons to Change Insurance Agents

The relationship you develop with your insurance agent is one that will go through many different life-changing events including adjustments in your budget and the shuffling of your priorities. Like other intense, long-term relationships, you need to continually evaluate whether or not the relationship is still working the way you want it to before you move forward.

When you consider your relationship with your agent in terms of future viability, here are some examples of indicators that it might be time to make a change.

• Your agent no longer seems invested in helping you protect your assets. Your agent should reach out to you on a regular basis to ensure that your financial situation and assets haven’t changed. They may reach out through emails, postcards or phone calls, but there should be some regular communication.
• Your agent can’t compare rates. Insurance agents that are tied to a single insurer have less ability to service your needs than those who can explore the benefits and premiums of multiple carriers. If your agent is restricted to just one insurer, you might not be getting the best deal and benefits.
• Your agent doesn’t educate you. Agents are knowledgeable professionals in their industry, and good agents want their clients to benefit from that knowledge. They share information with clients during in-person meetings, in blog posts and articles and through newsletters.
• Your agent is inaccessible. Insurance agents have a lot on their plate, but good agents always manage to find a way to make time for clients. They should have a knowledgeable staff on hand to answer your calls and emails, and if you need to speak directly to the agent, they should return your call or email promptly within a few business days, unless they are away. An agent who never returns your calls, has no staff available and ignores your emails may not be a good fit for your financial future.
• Your agent’s always in a hurry. It is always a challenge to fit everything into a busy day, and there may be times when your agent has to call you back between appointments to answer a quick question. If your agent is always in a hurry, however, or makes you feel uncomfortable about taking up his or her time, then it’s going to be difficult to make sure you get all your insurance questions answered and needs met.

An insurance agent is an amazing partner to have on your financial journey. But it’s a good idea to take the time to find an agent who understands you and what you need, and is invested in making that happen.

Contact an agent at Oxford Insurance to ensure your agent and your Chicago Auto Insurance are right for you.