Is it true that a good life insurance agent is hard to find? At some point, most people in the United States will face the specter of purchasing life insurance. And when it comes to buying something so crucial to the lives and protection of your family members, you need a good life insurance agent who can help.

But how do you know when you find a life insurance agent that will inform you about all the products available and honestly advise you regarding how much life insurance you need?

Consider the following tips to find a good life insurance agent:

1. Talk to your friends, neighbors, and family members about their agents. Word of mouth is still one of the best methods for finding a quality professional. When gathering information about agents from your friends and family, inquire whether they have any concerns regarding their agents’ ability to assist you.
2. Consider the professionalism of the staff. You’ll probably speak to the agent’s office staff when you first call an agent.

• Are you pleased with how the staff member responded to your questions? Did they seem professional and take care of your requests promptly?
• A good agent will have competent office staff.

3. Contact 3 to 5 insurance agents. This way, you can make some comparisons among the agents to narrow your focus to the agent you prefer to work with. Plus, you’ll want to learn about their credentials and work histories, which will help you rule in or out specific agents.

• Pay special attention to each agent’s diligence in responding to your questions.

4. Determine how much experience an insurance agent has. Inquire about how long the agent has been selling insurance. Ask whether they’ve worked for other insurance companies.

• Gather as much information about the agent’s work history as possible. You might even be able to obtain a copy of an insurance agent’s resume to determine his years of experience and education related to the life insurance industry.

5. Check out an agent’s credentials. The CLU Chartered Life Underwriter designation shows an agent has in-depth training in determining an individual’s life insurance needs. It’s a good idea to work with agents with this CLU designation.
6. Focus on obtaining an independent insurance agent. This type of agent can sell various insurance products from numerous carriers.

• To clarify, if you call a specific insurance company and work with one of their agents, then the only type of policy the agent can sell is one of that particular company’s.
• However, with an independent agent, you’ll be offered a more comprehensive selection of insurance products with a better likelihood of finding one to fit your specific needs.

7. Trust your gut when it comes to meeting agents. Be leery if an agent says he has the “right” policy for you.

• A good agent will instead listen to your needs and answer your questions. He’ll present the possibilities to you. The final decisions will be yours to make. Although a good agent will advise you, he won’t insist that you get any particular product.

If you’re looking for a good insurance agent, be ready and willing to expend time and energy. However, if you make some inquiries, meet with a few agents with quality credentials, and trust your instincts, you’ll discover an excellent insurance agent to help you find the perfect life insurance to protect your family’s future.

If you want a thought-provoking read on life insurance, pick up a copy of Busting the Life Insurance Lies by Kim Butler and Jack Burns. It will give you the right questions to ask a prospective agent and provide you with enough knowledge to know if the answers you are getting make sense.