October 30th, 2009 by DieWolf

Houston homeowners insurance has had some changes over the last few years. Previously most homeowners selected a HOA package for the least expensive coverage or a HOB package for more complete coverage. After the Texas lawsuits involving mold many insurance companies no longer offer HOB packages because they include mold coverage.

As a replacement for HOB there are amended HOA policies that add coverage’s to make a better package. Because these packages are not standardized, like HOA and HOB packages, it is a little harder to comparison shop them. I suggest getting a couple quotes from reputable companies and then comparing cost and coverage.

Make sure the policy you select has high enough limits to cover the dwelling, other structures, and personal property. In many cases it would cost much more than the market value to rebuild your home after a disaster. That means that it could be advisable to have a higher dwelling limit than the appraised value. A basic policy may not have coverage from sudden release of water, fall of trees and limbs, collapse of building, or breakage of glass. A good amended HOA policy should include these coverage’s.

For your personal property make sure the limit is high enough. I also recommend getting “replacement cost valuation”. This is much better than an “actual cash value” policy that would settle for the depreciated value of your goods rather that the amount needed to buy new items.

Personal liability coverage is usually from $100,000 to $500,000. It is usually inexpensive to increase to $500,000 and that is what I suggest.

To save money on your policy it is usually best to get your home and auto coverage from the same company because there is typically a good discount for this. Your agent should discuss all the other possible discounts available. These may include non-smoker, alarm, newer home, over 55, and more.

Texas residents can visit my Houston homeowners insurance website for more information. Or you are welcome to call my office at 281-537-2700.

October 29th, 2009 by DieWolf

October 27th, 2009 by DieWolf

Agents fearing competitive insurance premiums are making excuses. See how to sell insurance without the worry of life insurance competition. Discover why insurance premiums are not a competitive factor in life insurance selling.

Agents constantly see ads on television for competitive insurance premiums on car insurance, and asking viewers to call for a quote. Likewise, TV attempts to sell insurance direct to the consumer with cheap life insurance competition quotes. Real Life is not TV land! There are always people trying to pay the lowest insurance premiums even if claims bite them in the rear later in life. These are not millions of prospects, soon to become customers. The lot is loaded with tire kickers.

Your life insurance company does not help your mind process either. Every life insurance company brags how competitive their rates are when comparing premiums to the competition. They are trying to brainwash you and mess with your already strained brain. Truly, they do not prepare you for proper strategies to sell insurance to life prospects. The best prospects are the ones you personally develop. These prospects are looking to protect themselves and their family provided the coverage and insurance premiums seem fair. Your contacting them brought out the urge to take action.

Compare this with all the life agents who think they can sell insurance to someone asking for a quote. The worst lead is a person requesting a cheap life insurance quote. That “intelligent” person is thinking that buying insurance is like buying a gallon of milk. The lower the rate, the better the product seems. In the long run, do you think annual renewable term or five year term is a better deal than a cash value plan? An internet lead company may sell this same lead to a dozen or more agents. You then throw your sell into the crowd of agent that will do anything to make a sale. Expect to lose out to the life insurance competition almost every time.

The biggest mistake a life insurance agent can do is mentioning the competition to the client. Analyze this: Does a prospective client buy insurance because of trusting in a certain company name, or from trusting you. Over 90% of the time, the correct answer is you. There would not be 600 life insurance companies if there was not a viable market. The best financially rate companies, with 100 years of background do not dominate the market. If you never mention the competition, it is highly unlikely that your client will. Why give recognition and awareness of other companies to your client. It provides a dangerous chance to thereby consider these other companies.

The agents with proper personal and selling skills can sell insurance with no life insurance competition. They go into a presentation already confident that a sale with be easily made. The motivational skills, knowledge, and confidence engulf the prospect. The prospect wants to buy. I could represent “Fly By Night Insurance Company of Iran,” and the client would buy if the benefits were right. Competitive insurance premiums are also not a problem. I could have a competitor that makes all his sales at half the premiums (also half the commissions) and it would not matter. If you notice a possible premium problem, head it off before it ever comes up. Simply give your prospect a choice of a basic or deluxe plan with two different premiums.

In insurance sales, remember this:  Other Life insurance companies are not competitors. Moreover, other insurance agents are not the competition.  Your only competitive roadblocks are yourself. You have the power, confidence, willpower, and product knowledge to sell insurance. Now prove me right.

October 23rd, 2009 by DieWolf

October 23rd, 2009 by DieWolf

When going through the process of searching for cheap automotive insurance quote, there is an easy process that you can go through online that will assist you in finding the right company for your needs. When looking online for car insurance, there are many ways you can go about getting the Read the rest of this entry »