Personal insurance comes in many forms: homeowners insurance to cover liability in case someone is hurt on your property; renters’ insurance to protect against theft; auto insurance for physical damage and personal injury; life and health insurance; long term care insurance; umbrella insurance and more.
For every type of personal insurance Waukesha residents might need, there are just as many insurance companies to choose from, each with an army of insurance agents ready to write your policy. Each has a specialty, and guidelines that dictate the kind of insurance policy they will write.How can you tell which insurance agent will give you the best service?
Selecting your Personal Insurance Agent
To be sure you get a personal insurance plan with the coverage and costs customized to your precise needs and budget, consider working with an independent insurance agent. An independent insurance agent can “cherry pick” from a variety of insurance companies, selecting the features for your personal insurance policy that are just right for you.
- Do your Due Diligence – Keep in mind that not all insurance agents are created equal: you want to check with the Better Business Bureau and your Chamber of Commerce to make sure that the personal insurance underwriter you select has a sound reputation. Ask for references and check them out! Talk to clients and ask what kind of service they received when they needed to make a claim.
- Consider you Future Personal Insurance Needs – An independent insurance agent will be your ally as your needs change. The personal insurance you need when you are just starting out in life is not the same coverage you will need as your family grows. When you get a new car or buy a home (or two), if you develop hobbies that might result in injury to yourself or others, or if you find yourself or your loved ones at risk for serious medical conditions requiring long-term care. You’ll want to be sure that your personal insurance coverage is up to the task of replacing your property losses, supplementing your income when you can’t work, or providing the level of care you need in case of a catastrophe. An independent insurance agent should be well versed in the kinds of coverage you will need at each stage of your life so you can accept the unexpected with confidence.
- Take Personal Insurance Personally! – Don’t be a stranger to your independent insurance agent. As your life circumstances change, make sure that you keep your agent informed about those changes. When your risk exposure changes, so should your personal insurance coverage. Remember: your homeowners’ insurance, car insurance, and watercraft insurance imposes limits on the amount they will pay for each claim. There is nothing that keeps someone from suing you for more than those limits, and if you don’t have adequate “umbrella” coverage, you could lose everything.
An independent insurance agency such as Couri Insurance can offer advice and insurance products for the personal insurance that Waukesha residents need.
