When shopping for home insurance there are many factors to consider, such as price, coverage, and the general reputation and stability of the company. But just as important is your relationship with your agent. After all, he or she is the person who will be working closely with you during a potentially devastating time in your life – if you should suffer a loss. So take the time to get to know more about your agent by asking the questions below. You’ll be glad you did.

• Is the agent physically located near to your home? With the advent of shopping for Columbia home insurance online, the idea of your agent being one of your neighbors or having an office in town has flown out the window. Even if your agent does not live in your neighborhood or your city, they should be very well-educated about insurance issues at your local level. Find out where you agent is based, and more importantly, find out if he or she has enough knowledge about your locale to adequately service you – both in putting together a policy and in the event that you need to file a claim.
• How easy it is to get in touch with your agent? Should you suffer a loss or have a very important question, it’s necessary that you be able to contact your agent quickly and easily. Find out if your agent is accessible before and after traditional business hours, because disaster does not watch the clock. You need to know how quickly you can get in touch with your agent in the event of an emergency. If he or she is someone who prefers to let a staffer handle your inquiry instead of getting directly involved, or if your agent tells you that all after-hour matters are referred to a toll-free phone service which is probably staffed by people who do not work directly for your insurer, you may want to look elsewhere.
• Can your agent sell you other policies in addition to home insurance? It is to your advantage to work with an agent who sells multiple types of insurance. Many companies offer multi-policy discounts to those customers who choose, for example, to buy both home insurance and automobile insurance from them, so you’ll want to make sure that your agent is able to help you in that area.
• What is your agent’s communication style? It’s important for you to know how quickly and accurately your agent can communicate with you. Does he or she take days upon days to return an e-mail or a phone call, or is your agent the type to keep a Blackberry at the ready at all times? Make sure you talk to your agent about his or her methods of communication and that both of you are comfortable with the situation.
• Does your agent speak to you in terms you can easily comprehend? Your agent works for YOU, not the other way around. Therefore, he or she should be aware that you will have questions that need to be answered in a timely and comprehensible manner. If you don’t understand certain terminology or need clarification on an issue, your insurer has a responsibility to meet those needs in a respectful manner.
• Is your agent trustworthy? As a consumer, you need to know if your agent is working for a company or companies that are financially stable. Ask your agent about the financial solvency of the companies he or she is affiliated with. You can check on the information your agent gives you through your state’s insurance agency. If your agent has given you the correct information, you will have more assurance that he or she is trustworthy and would not put you in jeopardy by placing your policy with a disreputable carrier.

Finding the right agent – one who is respectful, accessible, and trustworthy – is a crucial part of the process of purchasing the insurance policy that is right for you.

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