Attn: Insurance agents, what is the best way reach you?

Question

I'm an art appraiser and would like to reach insurance agents. What is the best way to get the names of local agents in my area who deal with high end clients?

Answer 1

I would go to the yellow pages & look for independent agencies.  I would start with the ones in a "high end" neighborhood and any that represent Chubb.  Atlantic Mutual is another company that likes high end clients & AIG Private Client Group.  These are the companies you need to see under the agency's name.  Give them a call to see if they would like to set up an appointment.  You will probably want to meet with the personal lines supervisor.  We are always looking for good appraisers to suggest to our clients.  Jewelry is easy, it is the fine arts & antique appraisers that are harder to find.  If you can't get a meeting, see if you can go in & leave your business card (or several) & see what happens.  

Where we are we have mobilehomes all the way up to multimillion dollar homes, all in the same very small town.

Good luck to you.

Answer 2

High end clients are going to require better consultations than are available with the typical kitchen table agent.

My recommendation is to go to your garage and find the oldest phone book you have been saving.  (OK, if you do not save them, proceed to the next step.)

[The reason it is wise to save old phone books is so that when you need something where a mistakes can be costly, as in swimming pool construction or life insurance planning, you have a resource.   By going to the oldest phone book, you can call people who are listed therein.  If the phone number is disconnected, you know the value of their guarantee.]

Open a phone book to Insurance.  See if there is a sperate listing for CLUs (Chartered Life Underwriters).  For Property and Casulty insurance, check for CPCUs.  

Find one with your last name.  If such a person is not available, go to the next name in alphabetical order.  This is so that agent Adams does not get all the calls that could have gone to agent Williams.

If the agent is still in business, you have a person is experienced.  Perhaps one of the most experienced you will easily discover.

Avoid the Internet, please.  My site makes me look even better than I am.  Although I started in 1969, there is a lot of information about which I have no knowledge.  Further, I was out of the business for decades...only returning about two years ago.

Good luck!

...and do not jump at someone who simply sounds good.  You want to protect your clientele.  If anything goes wrong, the client may blame you.  Worse, the client may sue you.  

That last point, incidentally, is why I strongly recommend asset protection strategies so people may keep their earned wealth.  

Why not contact the National Speakers Bureau in Arizona?

They will charge a fortune, but they may be worth it to the audience.

Answer 3

Well you can use Internet :). Or you could go to Department of Insurance website

Answer 4

You don't mention WHERE you live, but, MOST larger metropolitan areas have local associations of insurance agents that meet regularly, and they are ALWAYS looking for guest speakers for luncheons.  Just look for the PIA (Professional Insurance Agents) logo or the Big I (Trusted Choice) logo - and call one to see if they have a local association meeting.

So, this might be a good way to get in front of many agents at one time.  The various States have State associations and they have State conventions annually (in most cases.)  They are always looking for exhibitors so it might be a way to get in front of a lot MORE agents.

Now...playing the devil's advocate - I have been approached by property appraisers in the past that do video inventories and appraisals of contents.  I have always been leery about them because of the feeling that the appraiser might be on a shopping trip.  You need to build TRUST with the agents you work with and be properly licensed, insured and bonded.

Good luck and I hope this helps!