A good insurance agent has happy, repeat clients. Do some of these things to get there.
Develop Trust
Clients want to share their sensitive personal and health information, not to mention their financial wellbeing, with an agent they can trust. To be a good insurance agent to your clients, you must build that trust over time, beginning with the first contact.
Make a good impression and learn to approach each individual in a way that they are receptive to: that means catering to phone calls for one person, emails for another, and in-person meetings for still others. Learn what they value in an agent by how they respond to your team over time, and do what you can to make them feel valued as a client.
Communicate Effectively
People skills and customer service skills are essential traits of a good insurance agent. You want to be available to your clients and make sure that your office is responsive to all forms of contact. Be courteous and think about how you would want to be treated: answer phone calls in a timely fashion, respond promptly to email, reply to social media messages and comments, etc.
Do not make promises you cannot keep, follow through on commitments, and be respectful of your clients’ time. Keep this in mind when scheduling back-to-back appointments.
Listen and Respond to Their Needs
An insurance agent is working with people and may come in contact with personal information. This puts the client in a vulnerable position, and makes it important that you act professionally and be personable. Listen and empathize with your clients’ needs and tactfully ask questions to understand which of your products can best serve them.
Put the client’s needs first. A good insurance agent is in this business not for the commission but to help their community find the services they need.
Keep Up Your Energy
Some people find interacting with others to be draining. An insurance agent is in constant communication and makes presentations both one-on-one with clients and in front of crowds at sales or educational events. You must have the endurance to put a smile on and display a positive attitude in front of your clients and community.
Be Honest with Your Clients
One of the fastest ways to gain a client’s trust is to show honesty in every interaction. You always want to tell the truth about your business, these products, a client’s fit, and more. Retain your clients by being a stand-up individual and doing honest business in their best interest.
