Hrm, actually chose to bypass this question because it was mostly covered already.
I'm gonna add a little more for fun but still useful., since we're talking about 'information to get from an agent' and not specifically in relation to the package you're looking for.
1) You want to make sure they have an RNF number. That's because there are still clowns who might have the audacity to operate when they either don't have one, or theirs is suspended - like the guys who came out in the news. Besides, an agent who doesn't at least bring his namecard including your friends isn't worth his/her salt.
2) You want to see how long they've been working in this line and 3) You want to see how long they will work in this line.
Now, time is not necessarily a good guide line - I know agents who've operated for years who know less than me - but it can help you guide your future line of questioning. For agents who've been operating under a year, what have they learnt? How many clients do they have? For agents who have a lot of experience, same question. This is useful to you in varying degrees.
For fresh agents: How fresh are they? I consider myself extremely experienced in some areas and extremely inexperienced in some areas, so I always work on improving myself in those areas or being upfront about my lack of experience in those areas. And if they are fresher, how much are you willing to risk based on your needs? If the person is fresh but is asking all the right questions, its still worth consideration. If the agent misses out a lot, are you really wiling to have this person serve you with no guarantee they will improve?
Also ask whether they intend to make this a long term career, and if not, why? I don't intend to stay in my line longer than 12 years. I have contingency plans for my clients when this happens and personal plans for myself - and I'm upfront about it. Agents who don't plan for themselves are not good planners for you - and they should give you good answers that show solid thinking.
I personally wouldn't mind a fresh agent if 1) He let me just go with the pronoun he for this whole thing to save some time shows desire to commit to you a lot. This can be extremely useful. 2) If he is on standby a lot. His replies are prompt, energetic and informative. 3) He shows long term desire to improve, and shows consideration for you as a person. Quite frankly, these are the only points a fresh agent might have against a more experienced agent unless you account for having specialties - so for myself as an example, I currently only specialize in mortgage related matters, investments and Early Critical Illness Insurance. I cannot do a really good Shield Plan comparison for you, or Travel Insurance comparison for you. Fresh agents must show that they can improve to keep serving you effectively, and must show willingness and graciousness to reward you for being one of their first batch of clients.
For experienced agents, just watch out for product pushers, and for people who may be too bogged down to give you the time of the day due to their extensive clientele. The inverse of above, basically.
Hope that helps. Remember - the insurance is a product that is used to help you - but the value add of a financial advisor that you've chosen to see also has significant, long-term quantitative value. Otherwise you might as well just buy it from a nameless, faceless person whose product happens to meet your needs.
Hrm, actually chose to bypass this question because it was mostly covered already.
I'm gonna add a little more for fun but still useful., since we're talking about 'information to get from an agent' and not specifically in relation to the package you're looking for.
1) You want to make sure they have an RNF number. That's because there are still clowns who might have the audacity to operate when they either don't have one, or theirs is suspended - like the guys who came out in the news. Besides, an agent who doesn't at least bring his namecard including your friends isn't worth his/her salt.
2) You want to see how long they've been working in this line and 3) You want to see how long they will work in this line.
Now, time is not necessarily a good guide line - I know agents who've operated for years who know less than me - but it can help you guide your future line of questioning. For agents who've been operating under a year, what have they learnt? How many clients do they have? For agents who have a lot of experience, same question. This is useful to you in varying degrees.
For fresh agents: How fresh are they? I consider myself extremely experienced in some areas and extremely inexperienced in some areas, so I always work on improving myself in those areas or being upfront about my lack of experience in those areas. And if they are fresher, how much are you willing to risk based on your needs? If the person is fresh but is asking all the right questions, its still worth consideration. If the agent misses out a lot, are you really wiling to have this person serve you with no guarantee they will improve?
Also ask whether they intend to make this a long term career, and if not, why? I don't intend to stay in my line longer than 12 years. I have contingency plans for my clients when this happens and personal plans for myself - and I'm upfront about it. Agents who don't plan for themselves are not good planners for you - and they should give you good answers that show solid thinking.
I personally wouldn't mind a fresh agent if 1) He let me just go with the pronoun he for this whole thing to save some time shows desire to commit to you a lot. This can be extremely useful. 2) If he is on standby a lot. His replies are prompt, energetic and informative. 3) He shows long term desire to improve, and shows consideration for you as a person. Quite frankly, these are the only points a fresh agent might have against a more experienced agent unless you account for having specialties - so for myself as an example, I currently only specialize in mortgage related matters, investments and Early Critical Illness Insurance. I cannot do a really good Shield Plan comparison for you, or Travel Insurance comparison for you. Fresh agents must show that they can improve to keep serving you effectively, and must show willingness and graciousness to reward you for being one of their first batch of clients.
For experienced agents, just watch out for product pushers, and for people who may be too bogged down to give you the time of the day due to their extensive clientele. The inverse of above, basically.
Hope that helps. Remember - the insurance is a product that is used to help you - but the value add of a financial advisor that you've chosen to see also has significant, long-term quantitative value. Otherwise you might as well just buy it from a nameless, faceless person whose product happens to meet your needs.