7 Reasons the Average Person Needs an Insurance Agent

(Related: 17 Reasons Financial Advisors Should be Proud of Their Profession)

You’ve seen the stereotypes applied to insurance agents. They aren’t pretty. It’s been said the quickest way to end a conversation at a party is to answer “What do you do?” with “I’m an insurance agent.” However, you, as an agent, know that most people are better off working with an insurance agent, versus going it alone, or going without.

Here are seven reasons you can give your clients for why they need help from someone like you.

1. Complexity

There are lots of features, benefits and coverage options. Don’t forget deductibles. This makes it very difficult for ordinary consumers to compare products side by side. A good insurance agent learns about the client’s specific situation, makes a recommendation, and tells the client what it costs and why.

2. Saving Money

Insurance agencies often sell insurance from multiple providers. Some policies might stop being offered. New ones take their place. There’s competition in the market. A good agent will review the client’s coverage periodically, letting the client know if changes might save the client money.

3. Do They Pay Promptly?

There are lots of insurance providers out there. They aren’t all created equal. Someone might be cheap, but getting money out of them, if the client has a claim, is difficult. A good insurance agent knows who pays promptly.

4. Tragedy

Why do people buy insurance? Protection is a major reason. If something happens, and the policy owner needs to make a claim, it’s likely that the policy owner will not in a relaxed state of mind. Someone will be out six months to recuperate from surgery. Someone has cancer. Someone died. A good agent is in a position to act as an intermediary between the client and the insurance company.