Expert Q&A

You can certainly use one agent to handle all your insurance needs. More cases than not there are areas of specialty where one agent would be more capable of handling than another. Ex; your property and casualty agent may not have a life or LTC product available to meet your needs.

While some agents are licensed to service all your insurance needs, others specialize in just one aspect of coverage like life, health and disability or property and casualty. In addition, some agents represent many insurance companies while others only represent a single insurance carrier. To find one that is right for you, ask for recommendations from friends, relatives or a trusted advisor.

There are two things to consider with this question. First is licensing. Many agents have their life, health, property & casualty insurance licenses. This allows them to handle most insurance needs. The second thing to consider is carrier appointments. Captive agents, ie State Farm, Allstate, Farmers etc.., are limited by carrier. Independent agents are only limited by the carriers they have partnered with.

The first thing that you need to check is if that agent is actually independent. If the agent is tied to one company or product they will be only able to handle that in-house product or company’s product. Independent agents are ablet to actually compare the pros and cons of most companies so that you actually know what options are available to you from all providers.

Most can but it depends on the company they represent and any underwriting restrictions they may face.