Shopping for home insurance, auto insurance, and business insurance, can be quite overwhelming and costly, but it’s vital if you want to protect yourself, your family, your assets, and your property from any financial risk and losses.
The gross written premium of the Canada general insurance market stood at CAD73.9 billion ($58.9 billion) in 2021 and is estimated to reach a CAGR of more than 5% between 2021-2026.
Knowing this, it is clear why it makes sense to invest in various forms of insurance. In today’s world, you want to get the best possible deal, and the best way to do so is by talking to someone like a professional insurance broker who is trustworthy and has a vast experience in this field.
An experienced insurance broker will shop the market for you and find the best overage for your needs. Even though the broker model is best for buying insurance, you should still be cautious when choosing your best match. To help you in your search, below we share the top 6 things to look for in an insurance broker.
Someone Who Is Knowledgeable
When looking for insurance in Canada, it can be tough to keep up with all the different insurance regulations from each province. For example, when obtaining auto insurance, you should be aware that not every province has the same car insurance regulations. Knowing what each province offers is important in determining which coverage is enough to serve all your needs.
If you want to know more about the laws and requirements in your area of living, contacting a local broker is the best way to get all the information you need.
For instance, if you are looking for an insurance broker in Calgary, search online for Alberta-based brokers who possess a deep and detailed knowledge of various insurance types and give you the information you need. They’ll also help you get the best quotes that you can use later.
Someone Who Is Easy to Contact and Consult With
Finding someone you can contact and consult at a convenient time is another important factor when choosing the best broker for your needs.
Let’s say you’re looking to speak to an insurance agent about business insurance, and you have to get insurance in a few days. You want to be able to call the right person and get straight to the point.
Someone Who Can Get You Discounts and Save Money
Insurance brokers should always be looking for ways to reduce your insurance costs while getting you the product you want.
You can often get discounts for your age, gender, location, and credit score. You can, for example, also save money if you bundle your home insurance with your life insurance. You would regret paying too much each month because you didn’t know about discounts and other ways to save. A good broker will help to ensure that this does not happen.
Someone Who’ll Customize Your Plan
People’s wants and needs are different and no insurance plan is the same for everyone. Since there’s no one-size-fits-all insurance plan, good brokers will spend time and effort to customize a plan that’s just right for you.
It may include listening to you and asking you pertinent questions. Then, it could involve running various scenarios to determine how much you’d pay for various insurances.
The broker will help customize your policy. They won’t pressure you, but they will always bring relevant information.
Consider Transparency and Fees
You should be comfortable with the answers to your questions when you interview an insurance broker. You should look for a broker that can communicate with you clearly and effectively. It’s best to move on to someone else if you are not satisfied.
A broker or insurance company should also be transparent and upfront about commissions and fees, and provide you with full disclosure on the terms of payment and fees.
Offers Customer Service that’s Friendly and Helpful
Naturally, you will need to speak with a broker when you are looking for an insurance policy. This can be done over the phone, face-to-face, or online.
When speaking with an insurance broker, it should be a positive experience. A good broker is someone patient, understanding, and not “pushy”. A good insurance broker is also a problem solver and will work closely with you, guide you through the complicated world of insurance and help you choose the policy you’ll be most satisfied with.
Final Words
It’s important to choose a broker carefully. This is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly because the right broker will help you maximize your coverage while balancing your insurance costs. They will also keep you informed of the latest market trends, so you can be aware of any potential risks.
