When searching for your Medicare Supplement/Medigap Plan, the agent you choose is a very important part of your buying decision as this can make a big difference on the products you have to choose from and your monthly costs and coverage. Here is a guide to help you select your next agent.
1. Find an Agent who is Knowledgeable and Specializes in Senior Insurance. As we age, things tend to get less complicated. The one huge exception to this rule is health insurance. This makes sense as our health care needs tend to complicate as well as we get older. It’s important that your agent understand the ins and outs of senior needs and the best insurance and products that will suit you. Senior insurance should not be a side business. It takes a lot of training and product knowledge to understand the complex Medicare system. Are you new to Medicare and do you have a question about how to sign up for Medicare? Your agent should be able to guide you . Do you have a general question about what Medicare does and does not cover. Again, your agent should know these things. Should you get a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medigap plan? What are the differences? Which would be better for you based on your needs? What happens if you do not get a prescription drug plan? What if you have to choose between Medicare and insurance through work? If an agent does not specialize in Medicare, there is a good chance they will not be able to help you understand the things you need to know in order to make the best decision for yourself.
2. Find an Agent you can trust. This should go without saying but listen to your instincts. Most everyone knows that agents typically work for a commission which means they only make money if they sell you something. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Everyone has to make a living, right? If you feel that your agent is simply trying to sell you a product or recommending products that may not be a good fit for you, then you may want to keep on looking. Does your agent seem to listen to you? Is your agent asking enough questions to get to know you and your needs? Is your agent taking time answering your questions until you feel comfortable in your purchase? Bottom line is you should feel comfortable with your agent and get the feeling that they are looking out for your best interest.
3. Find an Agent who works for you and not the insurance company. There are two very different types of agents. There are agents who work for a particular insurance company. Those agents can only sell products that their company offers. This is not a good thing for you as the consumer as these agents have very limited access to products and their products may not be the best for your situation. Even if the products they represent may be a good fit now, they may not be in the future and if that is the case, your agent will not be able to help you when you need them down the line. The other type of agent is called a broker. This agent likely has access to many different insurance companies’ products. This agent’s job is to find the best product for you and not the other way around. Once more, if things or prices change in the future, your agent will have access to other products that may be a better fit at the time.
4. Find an Agent who is in it for the long term. Insurance is a relationship business. Your agent should understand this and be able to convey to you that they are there for you from day one and beyond. A good agent should be interested in servicing your insurance needs and answering your questions for the long term. After all, once you find a good agent, you should never have to look for another. Is your agent available via the ways you like to communicate such as by cell phone or email? Does your agent have a support team in place to help when they might be away? How long will your agent take to return phone calls or emails? Do they have a follow up system in place to touch base with you every so often to make sure you are still in the best products for your situation? Don’t be afraid to ask questions to ensure you have an agent that will be there when you need them. This is the way it should be, after all.
What are your thoughts about what makes a good agent? Feel free to email us at info@mpinsurancesolutions.com , call us at 855-731-8888 or chat with us online. We are here to help you however you feel comfortable and we’d love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have.
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MP Insurance Solutions is a Senior Health Care Insurance Brokerage. We specialize in Medicare Supplement/ Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage/Medicare Part C, Prescription Drug Plans/Medicare Part D, Senior Term Life Insurance, Final Expense Insurance, guaranteed income annuities, and dental and vision plans. We specialize in helping seniors in Southern California including Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Orange County California.