How To Know If Your Dealing With A Licensed Insurance Agent Or Company

September 23, 2011 by Leave a comment

Today is this world, it seems like some one is always out to scam or cheat someone else. We all know its very important to protect your identity and other financial information. We all need to be skeptical, and must protect ourselves as best as we can. So how do you know if your dealing with a legitimate agent or company when shopping for insurance? You have to give out a lot of information when shopping for insurance. It’s always good to double-check if that person or company is licensed before you do so.

How Do I check If a Company or Person Is Licensed?

It’s very easy to check if an agent is licensed or if a company has a certificate of authority. You can simply do this by contacting the department of insurance in your state. For example in Colorado, its DORA- Division of insurance.  From here you can see if they’re licensed and what lines they authorized to transact business in. It also shows the dates of inception and expiration of their license or Certificate Of Authority.

The division of insurance also requires agents to pass a mandatory test, and also pass a credit and background check. They require insurance companies to get a Certificate Of Authority, and to prove solvency and stability  in order to write insurance in their state.  Some companies are Surplus and Excess and do not have to got thorough the process of getting a Certificate Of Authority. These companies  write unusual risks or hard to place, and are considered non-standard markets. In most states, the commissioner has a list of Surplus and Excess companies they find the most trust worthy.

Other Ways to Verify Acknowledgement and Recognition

  • Most agents must go through the process of being appointed by an insurance company. This includes license check with the state, background check, and credit check.
  • Check the financial score of an insurance company by visiting AM Best.
  • Check with the BBB.
  • See how long a company or agent has been in business. A new or small company or agent is not necessarily negative.
  • Meeting an agent or company rep in person is always a good idea.
  • See if the agent and/or company has any past or current complaints with the division of insurance.

Most of all if its to good to be true, or you feel uncomfortable, don’t give out your personal information! Check with the State Department of Insurance first. As always if you have more questions please call us during normal business hours.

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Unknown's avatarAbout Mark Schneider
I am a certified firearms instructor and use-of-force expert with extensive real-world experience in firearms, security, and defensive tactics. Credentials & Experience: 20+ years of owning, collecting, and shooting firearms. 12+ years in the security industry, including physical security, executive protection, workplace violence prevention, loss prevention, CCTV operations, access control, incident management, and threat assessment. Denver Police Verified Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) Instructor. Authorized Trainer for Denver Security Guard Training. NRA Certified Firearms Instructor – Pistol, Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW), Rifle, Shotgun, Inside the Home (ITH), Outside the Home (OTH), Range Training & Basic Verification (RTBV), Chief Range Safety Officer (CRSO). USCCA Certified Firearms Instructor – Concealed Carry & Home Defense Fundamentals (CCHDF). Force Science Institute Certified – Use-of-Force Analysis. De-escalation Certified Instructor. Massad Ayoob MAG-40 Graduate. Sig Sauer Academy Graduate – Pistol 103 & Pistol 104. Law of Self Defense – Instructor Program Graduate. Dave Grossman Academy – Completed The Bullet Proof Mind, On Combat, and On Killing courses. Axon Taser Certified Instructor. OC/Pepper Spray Certified Instructor. PPCT Defensive Tactics Certified Instructor. Glock Armorer. Novice Gunsmith. Licensed Insurance Producer. HAM Radio Operator. 8+ years as a teacher and instructor in firearms, self-defense, and related disciplines.

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