| You have done your research on the | | | | want the comfort of knowing all their |
| various life insurance products | | | | products are with the same company, and |
| available, and you are now ready to sit | | | | that that company has the strength and |
| with an Insurance Agent or Financial | | | | longevity to stand behind what they |
| Representative to assess your needs, but | | | | sell. The financial representatives and |
| where do you start? There are so many | | | | advisors for these large insurance |
| agents, offices and firms, how do you | | | | corporations typically sell only the |
| know who can help you? Which company do | | | | proprietary products, as their pay |
| you go with? | | | | structures mandate them to do so. The |
| First thing first, regardless of which | | | | benefit to this is that you know you are |
| agency or representative you eventually | | | | getting a solid product backed by a |
| choose, you need to know that they are | | | | solid company. The down-side is that |
| licensed properly for the insurance | | | | they are usually not able to offer a |
| products and financial services you | | | | wide variety of products for the sake of |
| seek. | | | | price comparing. |
| An Insurance Agent starts out by | | | | Others like the idea of a smaller |
| obtaining their "Life, Health and | | | | Insurance office because you are able to |
| Annuity" license for the state they | | | | develop a much more personal |
| practice in. This allows them to sell | | | | relationship with your Agent, and they |
| term and whole life insurance, health | | | | can cater more to your individual needs. |
| insurance and fixed annuities. | | | | The products and services that they |
| They agent also needs to obtain their | | | | offer are still backed by large |
| Series 6 (securities) license in order | | | | insurance corporations, so need to worry |
| to sell mutual funds, variable life | | | | about the financial stability of the |
| insurance and variable annuities, or any | | | | products you purchase, but an |
| other investment vehicle that houses | | | | independent financial firm, since they |
| mutual funds. | | | | are not associated with any one |
| It would be safe to say, that most | | | | proprietary company, are able to offer a |
| Insurance Agents who are associated with | | | | larger variety of services for the sake |
| large Insurance Firms or have their own | | | | of product and price comparison. |
| free-standing Insurance Agency, have | | | | When it comes to choosing the right life |
| these two licenses in order to sell the | | | | insurance company, or agency; know the |
| wide variety of products these offices | | | | facts. And by knowing a little bit about |
| offer to satisfy all your needs. | | | | the professional services that each |
| But you should still do your due | | | | agent can offer, and knowing what type |
| diligence and ask if their licenses are | | | | of business you feel most comfortable |
| up-to-date and that they have not let | | | | with, you will be able to move forward |
| them expire; as these licenses require a | | | | and feel secure with the insurance and |
| certain amount of additional education | | | | financial protection you ultimately |
| and certification every 2 years to keep | | | | choose for you and your family. |
| them current. | | | | *** This article is intended for |
| It is also good to know if they have | | | | informational purposes only, and should |
| earned any additional designations. A | | | | not replace discussing your individual |
| person who takes the time to learn and | | | | needs with your local Insurance Agent or |
| grow within their own industry is a | | | | Financial Representative. |
| person who has chosen this as their | | | | After securing her position as a Top |
| life's career. And you can feel | | | | Seller in the Insurance and Financial |
| confident that they will be specialists | | | | Industry over the course of many years; |
| within the Insurance and Financial | | | | Christee Fontanez shifted her focus |
| field, and will be around for years to | | | | several years ago to internet marketing |
| come. | | | | and advertising. She combined both |
| Here are the most common designations: | | | | professions and now works to assist |
| CFP -- Certified Financial Planner | | | | English and Spanish speaking consumers |
| CLU -- Chartered Life Underwriter | | | | find an Insurance Agent or Advisor to |
| ChFC -- Chartered Financial Consultant | | | | help them secure their family's |
| As far as which company you choose to go | | | | financial freedom regardless of language |
| with, is entirely up to you. Some people | | | | preference. |