Insurance is one of the effective tools used to manage risks. Investing in the right insurance policy has always been a tough job for many individuals/companies. They often struggle to choose a policy that suits their personal or business needs.

If you are one of them, struggling to find the best insurance policy, choose a reputed broker who can tailor your policy based on your requirements. However, it is equally important to check for the reliability of the insurance broker/brokerage firm. Following are few points to consider while hiring an insurance broker.

Reputation of the firm: Reputation of the company is the primary factor to be considered for any business deal. You can get enough feedback from the businesses who already bought policies from the brokerage firm. Ask for referrals from the companies similar to yours and check the references for proper licenses and registrations. Knowing about the reputation of a firm is not a tough task as it easily spreads through the word of mouth if the company offers better services.

Credentials of the company: Not all insurance brokers/brokerage firms out there are good. You need to make sure that the brokerage firm you choose is secure, respected and well established. If you are from Ireland, note that the companies regulated by the Financial Regulator and registered with Financial Services Authority (FSA), Irish Brokers Association (IBA) etc. are considered to be professional and reliable as they maintain the integrity of the financial system.

After choosing a firm which meets the above mentioned criteria, it is essential to check the following things which are related to the services offered by the broker.

Independent & impartial advice: A broker never represents a single or a group of insurance companies. He works independently and hence is supposed to give impartial advice related to the insurance companies and their policies. In general, every broker plans to schedule initial meeting face to face with the client. This is the best chance to clearly identify the intentions of the broker. Make sure that he is neither referring a particular company nor suggesting a particular policy. Being impartial and making effective recommendations is the prime quality of an ideal insurance broker.

Need based approach: An effective insurance broker comes up with unique solution for different client requirements. He suggests the right coverage after clearly identifying the financial position, goals and budget of the respective individual/business. With vast knowledge and expertise in the field of insurance, he develops a structured and robust insurance program for your needs. A need based approach always helps you to achieve your objectives and make effective changes in your current financial picture.

Timely service: Insurance is like a parachute, you never know how well it has been prepared until you really need it. Regular renewals and reviews of existing coverage have always been a part of broker's job. So, it is always better to know how the renewals are handled before going for a deal. Through the initial correspondence and the timely responses given by the insurance professional, we can judge how good he is in serving the customer.

Insurance helps in managing risks caused by unpredictable events that may occur any time. Therefore, it is always better to select a professional who provides best service in the industry. Remember, insurance is a competitive industry with plenty of insurance brokers. Your investment will be fruitful only when it is processed through a reliable channel.