A good insurance agent is as valuable to your success as any other professional consultant. An experienced and trustworthy insurance agent can both reduce your exposure to risk and keep your insurance costs to a minimum.

Finding an Insurance Agent

Ask other consultants and business services to recommend a qualified insurance agent. Search for one who primarily serves the business community rather than families or individuals. They will better understand your problems and concerns.

Ask prospective agents for advice on a specific problem. Don't tell them what you think the solution is. Their responses can help you determine who is better at cost-effective problem solving for business risks.

Independent Agents

The agent is the insurance industry's primary client representative. Typically, the independent agent is a small business owner and manager. By using this distribution system, insurance companies are represented by agents who receive a commission for selling the companies' products and services. An independent agent usually represents more than one insurance company.

Legal Defense Provision

Liability insurance coverage, particularly for property damage and bodily injury, usually includes legal defense at no additional charge when the policyholder is named in a lawsuit that involves a claim covered by the policy. Litigation is costly, whether the claimant's suit is valid or frivolous. The legal defense provision can greatly reduce the cost of a suit for you. Make sure you discuss this provision — and its cost — with your insurance agent.