March 7, 2016
Finding a good Maryland insurance agent can be a challenge, especially if you’ve never worked with one before. Where do you start? And what should you be looking for? Here are a few simple tips that will help you find the best agent in the area!
Experience
The reason you are hiring an insurance agent in the first place is because you don’t want to deal with choosing, buying or switching insurance by yourself. So an agent who knows just a bit more than you do won’t cut it. You want someone who understands the industry not just from research, but from personal experience. So look for a professional with experience—the more the better! An experienced insurance agent can often set you up with the right policy faster, as well as help you find hidden savings.
Proximity
Although you don’t have to have an insurance agent who lives in your neighborhood, it’s nice to have someone close by. The point of having an agent is that you can always call them or meet with them if you have any questions. Pick someone located close to your home or work, or on the route between the two. And if you live or work in Eldersburg, MD, American Heritage Insurance Agency welcomes you to drop by our office!
Specialties
Not all insurance agents work with all kinds of insurance policies. Some only deal with business insurance, some focus on personal policies, and some do a bit of both. It’s important to check whether your agent works with and has experience in the type of insurance you need, especially if it’s something rare or relatively new like drone insurance.
Personality
Personality is a big one! You want to find a Maryland insurance agent who is friendly, approachable and easy to get along with. You can usually tell this during the first meeting. Also evaluate how well you understand your agent’s answers to your questions. Insurance can be a complicated topic, so it helps immensely when your agent has the gift of explaining complex things in simple words.
Stability
It’s not uncommon, and even preferred by many people to use the same insurance agent for numerous insurance needs. For example, if right now you only need auto insurance, in the future you may come back to the same agent for help with the homeowners’ or RV policy. But will he or she still be there? Look for a company that has been around for a while and who’s earned its reputation in the area. At American Heritage, we’ve been serving Carroll County since 1983! Of course, there is no guarantee that the company will never move, but it’s less likely with an older, established Maryland insurance agency.
Have any other questions about insurance or ready to interview your first agent? Give us a call and let’s see if we are a good match!
