Selecting a General Liability Insurance Agent

So you need to get a general liability insurance quote. Where do you go to get a quote? Who do you trust?

You probably already have referrals from friends and these are great, but remember you need to make a decision that’s best for your business. Sometimes friend referrals impose unspoken pressure to choose someone who may not be the best choice.

Get at least three agents from three different companies and DO NOT let them know about the others.

Your objective is to have them educate you. Yes – not sell you, but educate you. Let them tell you what types of coverage you need based on your business, what – if any – legal requirements there are, and how much coverage you should have.

After they’ve learned about your business, each agent should be able to provide you an easily comparable quote. Tell them you want them to include in thier proposal the the 3 E’s:

* Their Education
* Their  Experience
* Their Expertiseand the carrier.

EDUCATION – The agent who is providing a public liability insurance quote should provide some level of certification such as CPCU (Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter) or the ARM (Associate Risk Management), which are earned by successfully completing courses from independent industry associations.

EXPERIENCE – With experience typuically come expertise. So, generally speaking, the more years as a certified agent, the better.

EXPERTISE – Does the agent specialize in businesses like yours? Who are some clients? Does he have references? Ask and check them..

Once you have each proposal  with all this information, you should be able to make a good determination of the coverage you need and how much you should pay. Is there a wide rang in coverages, amounts, and costs?

There’s one final, and most important step. Now tell all of the agents yoou are evaluating proposals from teo other agents. You can even tell them the companies. Ask for a revised proposal from each within a set time frame.

This is where you get to check the fourth E – ETHICS-

In the revised proposals has any of the agents significantly changed the coverage, amounts, or costs? Perhaps, the agent was trying to oversell you a little and make a bigger commission. Perhaps the agent didn’t know exactly what you really need. In the end, it’s your responsibility to make sure you get what you need.

So make sure you ask as many quesions as you need to about the public liability insurance quote. This truely a time when you have to disregard any of the “sexyness” of the agent and view him or her as a resource that should be providing you with accurate, legally relie information that is going to protect your business, and perhaps yourself.

By this time you should have a good idea of what you need and what it should cost you.

Select the general liability insurance quote are about the same … go with the sexy agent. At least you’ll enjoy their future visits!