Talking to more than one insurance agent? That's smart.
Whether it's Medicare, an ACA health plan, or life insurance, the first thing to shop for is your agent. The same plan from the same company costs the same no matter who enrolls you, so the real choice is who you trust to help you.
So, what are you really shopping for: the plan, or the person who'll help you with it?
since 2013
Be honest
Does any of this sound familiar?
If you nodded at even one, you're not alone, and it's not your fault. Most people were taught to shop for a plan. Nobody told you to shop for the agent first.
Picture this instead
A bill shows up that doesn't look right. Your income changes. You have a new grandbaby and start thinking about what you'd leave behind. Instead of starting over with a call center, you call one person who already knows your doctors, your budget, and your family. That's what you're really choosing when you choose an agent.
One agent, every stage of life
What the right agent does for you
Different coverage, same rule: a good agent does the shopping, so you don't have to.
Medicare
- ✓Checks your doctors and prescriptions before recommending anything
- ✓Explains Advantage vs. Supplement in plain English
- ✓Reviews your plan every fall when plans change
ACA Health
- ✓Checks whether you qualify for a premium tax credit
- ✓Compares deductibles, networks and drug coverage, not just the monthly price
- ✓Helps you update your income so there are no surprises at tax time
Life Insurance
- ✓Matches your health history to the companies most likely to approve you
- ✓Explains term vs. permanent without the sales pitch
- ✓Makes sure your beneficiaries are right and stay right
The smarter way to shop
Three steps. That's it.
Vet your agent
Ask the questions below. A good agent will be glad you asked.
Choose one you trust
Give them the full picture: health, doctors, budget, family.
Let them do the work
They shop the companies, explain the trade-offs, and stay with you after.
Your agent checklist
7 questions to ask any agent, including me
Here are my answers. Hold every agent you talk to, me included, to the same standard.
Are you licensed in my state, for this type of insurance?
Are you independent? How many companies?
Will you look at my whole situation first?
Do you charge me a fee?
After I enroll, who do I call?
Will you check in on my coverage?
Can we meet in person, or talk by phone?
Anything else on your mind?
📋 Take this checklist with you
Print it out and use it on every call, with any agent.
Worth thinking about
What if you choose on the quote alone?
The same plan from the same company costs the same no matter which agent you use. What changes is the advice. The difference shows up later: a doctor that's out of network, a tax credit you didn't get, a life policy that doesn't fit your health history. Ten minutes vetting your agent now can save you a lot of headaches later.
The honest part
Let them do the work, then give them the business
Agents like me aren't paid by you. The insurance company pays us, and only when you enroll through us. It costs you nothing extra. So when an agent earns your trust and does the work, the fairest way to say thank you is to let them write the policy. If they don't earn it, move on, no hard feelings.
"I'd rather you interview me hard and choose me with confidence than pick me off a quote. When you trust your agent, everything else gets easier, for both of us."
Quick answers
Common questions about choosing an agent
How do I choose an insurance agent?
Start by checking that they're licensed in your state for the type of coverage you need, then ask whether they're independent and work with more than one insurance company. A good agent will look at your doctors, prescriptions, health and budget before recommending anything, explain how they're paid, and be there for you after you enroll.
Does it cost more to use an insurance agent?
No. The price of a plan is set by the insurance company, and agents are paid by the insurance company, not by you. Using an agent costs you nothing extra.
Is it OK to talk to more than one agent?
Yes. Interviewing a few agents is a smart way to find the right one. Once you've chosen, give that one agent the full picture and let them do the shopping. Working with several at once usually means repeating your story and getting conflicting advice.
What types of insurance does Triangle Life and Health help with?
Mike helps with Medicare (Advantage, Supplement and Part D), ACA health plans, and life insurance, including final expense. Learn more about Mike.
Free 30-minute call · Medicare · ACA · Life
So, does it make sense to see
if I'm the right fit?
Bring the checklist and ask me anything. You'll know in 30 minutes whether I'm your person.
No pressure. No pitch. Just answers.