In this post, I am going to share my criteria for a good insurance agent.
Firstly, I am not an insurance agent. But, I had been getting insurance coverage for myself, my husband, and my young son. Along the process especially while looking for the right policy for my son, I gained new knowledge about insurance. This includes my perception of a good insurance agent.
Thus, after meeting with more than five insurance agents and being around some acquaintances who have experience as insurance agents, I now have my criteria for a good insurance agent.
Table of Contents
10 criteria for a good insurance agent
Insurance is an important part of my personal finance. A good insurance agent can help maximize the protection for myself and my loved ones.
Based on my experience, these are my 10 criteria for a good insurance agent:
1. Don’t be pushy
First, please don’t be too pushy. I hate it most when the insurance agent:
- find excuses to keep promoting her insurance services even though I told her I already have my policy.
- tell me to switch my existing policy to her insurance provider.
- or, pushing for a quick decision to sign-up after sending me the quotation.
I prefer my insurance agent to respect my time and my words. When I said I need more time for consideration, she’ll ask me when is more convenient to follow up. Is it after two weeks or one month?
With a deadline, it helps both parties to get ready and have a decision before the deadline.
2. Focuses on my coverage needs
A good insurance agent is someone who listens, understands, and acts according to my request.
Take this example, when I said I want a quotation with priority on medical coverage and minimal coverage on Total Sum Assured for my son, don’t send me a quotation with RM100,000 Total Sum Assured.
I prefer an insurance agent who focuses on my coverage needs instead of his commission.
3. Generous with quotation
I appreciate the insurance agent who is generous with her quotation. Where she’ll send me a few quotations based on my budget and my request.
And if these few quotations are still not ok, she is willing to generate more quotations to adjust to my budget and coverage needs.
4. Responsible and knowledgeable
I prefer a responsible and knowledgeable insurance agent who takes the time to tell me in detail about the quotation. And to provide answers to my questions in black and white.
Also to share with me, my rights as a policyholder, such as the 15 days Free-Look period. Or better if she can guide me on important insurance terms.
5. Professional
I will not deal with an insurance agent who:
- creates stories to scare me so that I quickly get a policy.
- simply tell me to switch my policy.
- shows a sour-faced when I decided not to take up the quotation.
- no longer reply to text messages when I told her I decided to take up the offer from another insurer.
I prefer an insurance agent who deals with me professionally. Someone who can accept when I said I am not ready to take up the proposal.
6. Assist in time of need
Another criterion of a good insurance agent is to be there and provide advice during an emergency. Such as my appendix surgery during pregnancy.
Besides, she will also assist or provide guidelines on claim submission and follow through.
It’s a big turn-off when the insurance agent shows no empathy and is unwilling to help when unforeseen circumstances happen.
7. Committed
I prefer to deal with an insurance agent who is serious about her role as an insurance agent. I meant someone who:
- always get back to me on the questions I asked
- has the plan to be an insurance agent for long-term
Because I had an experience with an insurance agent who switched to a new job abroad, leaving me with a different agent. Fortunately, the replacement agent is quite a good and committed agent.
8. To keep in contact
After I signed up for the plan, a good insurance agent will not be missing in action. But, she’ll keep in contact with me from time to time by:
- sending me festive greetings or texting just to say ‘hi’
- updating me on the recent changes or news related to my policy
It really annoys me when the insurance agent only texts or calls me to offer for upgrading or top up my investment. That’s obvious, money is the motive.
9. Does not talk badly about other insurers
A good insurance agent does not talk badly about other insurers or other agents. But, instead, she’ll point out the reasons for the differences in the coverage plan offered.
If the insurance agent starts to talk badly about other insurers, that’s a sign that she’s a dishonest person. And sorry, I’ll avoid dealing with a dishonest insurance agent.
10. Humble and approachable
Lastly, a good insurance agent to me is someone humble and approachable. She can be a very successful insurance agent but still provides superior customer service and is kind with her words.
Final thoughts
Generally, a good insurance agent should focus on my needs. Aside from guiding me along the process of getting the right policy, it will be a great advantage if she can maintain the agent-customer relationship by enhancing my insurance knowledge.
Although it is hard to find a perfect insurance agent, I believe there are good insurance agents out there.
How about you? Do you have your criteria for a good insurance agent? Or, are you an insurance agent or from the insurance industry?
Feel free to share your thought.
Image Credits
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
This is so true. Agreed with you.
Hi Lionel, thank you for your comment.