10 Reasons to Consider Switching Insurance Agents

From your car to your home and even your life, chances are everything you own that has any value is insured. Some things, like your car, you're required to insure by law. Others just make good financial sense, and it's always a wise decision to protect your investments. Dealing with an insurance agent can be a pleasurable and informative experience, and you may find that you develop quite a strong working relationship with the person who handles your insurance needs. There may come a time, however, when it's simply better to part ways with your insurance agent. These are 10 of the signs that it might be time to consider breaking up with your insurance agent.

• You're Under-Insured – Your insurance agent should take an active interest in your needs, even after he sells that first policy. While most policies will automatically adjust to reflect annual inflation and provide accurate coverage, some must be reviewed. If your property is still insured for the same amount it was 10 years ago, there's a good chance that you're sorely under-insured. Not only should you update your policy, but you should also find an agent who's capable of keeping up with it.
• He Discourages the Filing of Legitimate Claims – Filing a claim will often cause your insurance premiums to rise, but that doesn't mean that your agent should ever discourage you from filing a legitimate claim. After all, that's why your coverage exists. If you find yourself in the sticky situation of needing to file a claim and fighting your agent every step of the way, it's probably wise to take your business elsewhere.
• You're Overspending – A good insurance agent wants to make a living, but a great insurance wants to make a living while making sure that his clients are happy. Finding out that you're eligible for policy discounts through someone other than your agent is a surefire sign that your best interests are not his first priority.
• He Seems Incompetent – Insurance can be a complicated subject, which is one of the reasons why working with a competent agent is so important. An agent who seems to have trouble understanding the basics of his business may not be the best choice, so consider replacing someone whose competence you question. The last thing you want is to find yourself in need of assistance due to a claim or question and unable to get the necessary information because your agent has none of the answers for which you're looking.
• You're Planning a Long-Distance Move – Even the best relationships sometimes come to an end sometimes, even when that relationship is between you and your insurance agent. Moving across the country will make it difficult to continue working with the same agent in most cases, and can be a solid reason for choosing to replace your existing agent.
• He's Impossible to Reach – You need to be able to contact your insurance agent with questions, update your coverage or file a claim. That means that you need to have an agent who gets back to you in a timely manner if he's not available to take your call. Being forced to chase your agent down every time you need to speak with him is definite grounds for replacement.
• You Feel Rushed – Efficiency is important in any business, and insurance is no exception. Still, if you feel like you're being rushed through every phone call or like every visit is a burden, you're justified in looking elsewhere for an agent.
• He's Disinterested – An agent who doesn't care about your needs and seems disinterested in them after he makes a sale is not the kind of agent you want on your side. If you have the feeling that your insurance agent is only looking out for number one, it's time for you to start looking for his replacement.
• You Can't Access Rate Comparisons – Some agents work with several companies in order to obtain the best policy rates, while others are locked in with a single company. Even if your agent works solely with one company, he should be able to give you relevant comparison information when you're creating a new policy or looking for updated coverage.
• You Want to Change Insurance Companies – Some agents will be able to handle a company changeover because they have working relationships with several insurance providers. Others offer proprietary coverage, and won't be able to continue working for you if you choose to change companies.

Resources:
http://theinsurancebarn.wordpress.com/2011/03/31/how-to-fire-an-insuranc...
http://www.sequim-real-estate-blog.com/sequim-real-estate-and-port-angel...