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Why you need a local insurance agent

6 min read
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Your car, your home, your life — some things require protection. And when it comes to buying insurance, you want to make sure you’re getting the right protection at a fair price. That’s why it’s important to choose an insurance agent you can trust with your needs and your money. Here’s what to look for.

Experience

From getting the best rates to ensuring your claims are processed smoothly and efficiently, experience is critical when it comes to choosing an insurance agent. This is particularly true if you’re trying to purchase insurance online through a self-service site.

“If you don’t have the expertise in insurance, a lot of the language is foreign to most of the public,” said Megan Chicone, a State Farm Insurance agent whose family (Bob Hollick, Britney Hollick, and Megan) has been serving the insurance needs of Washington County for 60 years. “Buying insurance without proper knowledge of terms or how the coverage works can be scary. It is key to talk to an agent you can trust that is protecting your community, your neighbors, your family and friends. By sitting down with them and empowering yourself with knowledge, you can be confident that everything important to you is protected if something happens.”

A local touch

There’s just something about doing business with someone who already knows your friends and family, and someone who knows your state and your community.

“State laws are different everywhere. So you need someone who understands the laws and regulations that apply to you and your insurance coverage,” Chicone said.

Not to mention that selecting a local agent for your insurance needs gives your community a boost.

“We’re all born and raised in the communities in which we serve,” said Chicone, whose uncle, Bob Hollick and cousin, Britney Hollick, are also local State Farm Insurance agents.

That community touch runs deep. Chicone’s grandfather, Robert Hollick Sr., opened his office in Washington in May, 1958 as the first State Farm agent in the county. Proudly serving the communities they have firsthand knowledge of and participate in for 60 years is a source of pride and honor for all three State Farm agencies.

“Choose someone who knows the area and who’s involved in community service,” Chicone advised.

Trust

In a perfect world, buying insurance isn’t a risky venture. Unfortunately, insurance fraud is a real phenomenon, and that is why it’s critical to find an agent you can trust. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the best way to protect yourself against fraud is to research the agent and company you’re considering. It’s also a good idea to call your state insurance department and confirm your agent is licensed before signing anything or writing a check.

It’s also a good idea to consider an agent your friends or family trust. This is another reason it’s smart to find a local agent.

Easy customer service

The funny thing about insurance is that you usually pray you’ll never have to use it. But if and when you need to file a claim, you want to make sure that process runs smoothly. That’s when it’s helpful to have a trusted insurance agent who can serve as your primary point of contact from changing your coverage to filing a claim. Good customer service also means communicating in the way you prefer.

“We’re available through any channel in which you want to do business,” Chicone said. “That could be face to face, via phone or email. I even have people I work with through social media. However you choose to do business, we’ll work around you.”

Financial strength

You might prefer a ma-and-pop kind of café for lunch, but when it comes to your insurance needs, you want the peace of mind of knowing the company you choose has the financial stability to pay your claims and stay in business for the foreseeable future. That’s why it’s a good idea to choose a local agent backed by a large, well-reputed insurance company like State Farm. You can check out insurance company financial ratings at A.M Best CompanyFitch Ratings, Moody’s Investor Services and Standard & Poor’s Insurance Ratings Services.

Of course, when it comes to insuring all of the priceless things in your life, it’s important to take all these things into consideration. Make sure you research agencies and find the products you need in an experienced, friendly, and trusted partner. After all, family is important – just ask Bob, Britney, and Megan.

 

This article is sponsored by Megan Chicone, State Farm Insurance.

A journalism graduate from Brigham Young University, Kristen Price has experience writing in a variety of fields, including art and culture, health and fitness and financial and real estate services. Kristen has written for USA Today, SFGate and the Knot.

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