Most people hire an agent the day after their last one retired or quit. That's a panic hire. Pick the wrong person and you'll overpay for coverage or get dropped mid-claim. Here's what to actually check before you sign.
Licensing & Insurance Questions
Ask for a license number and verify it on your state's insurance department website — takes two minutes. Don't let them talk you through it. If they carry errors and omissions insurance themselves, that's a good sign. If they dodge the question about how many carriers they represent, walk. A broker with access to six or more carriers can shop for you. A captive agent selling only one brand is fine if you only want that brand.
Experience & References Questions
Ask point-blank how long they've done this full-time. Anything under three years means they're still learning on your dime. Request three client references who had a claim in the last two years. Talk to those people. Ask what happened when the claim got sticky. Did the agent show up? Did they fight? If the agent can't produce those references, or the references sound scripted, that's a red flag.
Pricing & Timeline Questions
Get quotes from three different people before you decide. If one quote is way lower than the others, ask why. Sometimes it's missing coverage layers you need. Ask how long binding coverage takes after you sign. Same day is normal. Anything that takes more than 48 hours means they're slow or the carrier is a headache. Ask if rates are guaranteed for a full year. Some policies let them raise the rate at month six.
Contract Questions
Ask if there is a cancellation penalty or an annual commitment. Some agencies lock you in. Ask who owns the policy — you or the agency. Your name should be on the declarations page, not theirs. Ask what happens if they quit the business next month. Will your policy get reassigned or dumped? Get that answer in writing, even if it's a short email.
Once you've done the homework, stack your top two choices side by side on RatingsNearMe to see what real clients say about their claim handling and service speed.