We Have Feelings Too It's tough working in a profession where the very people you are trying to help, view you as a manifestation of greed and troublemaking. So why do we do it? Well, it isall about the customers. There is nothing that matters more to an independent insurance agent than his/her clients. Our clients keep us in business, they brighten or dampen our days and they give us something to do when they need our assistance and expertise. Why do we care so much? Our clients are the most valuable part of our business, but why? Is it because we really are a money-driven wolf pack, out for everything you have, down to the last piece of lint in your pockets? Contrary to popular belief, this is not the case. Insurance is like anthropology: Agents help to assess your need for insurance based on your personal level of exposure to risks found in day-today life. Independent Agents possess the knowledge and training to assist our friends, families and communities in protecting themselves from unavoidable financial losses. Besides helping our clients to secure the proper coverage to protect their financial assets, we also work to ensure you are getting the most competitive price on said insurance. Independent agents generally represent multiple insurance providers, giving us the ability to shop for and compare products and rates in the marketplace, that will best fit our clients' needs. Would you Rather...? A Quick Example If you still think that insurance is a scam, ponder this: In the State of New Hampshire, car insurance is not required by law. And so in light of our State motto "Live Free or Die," citizens have the option to elect whether they wish to have coverage or not. So let's say that you've elected not to have car insurance and you are driving home from work. You're being mindful of the other drivers on the road, aware of your surroundings, when you hear one of your favorite songs playing on the radio. So you look down for a split second to turn up the volume, not realizing that traffic has come to a dead stop. Immediately you slam on your brakes but it is too late. You collide with the car in front of you, which pushes into the next car, and now you've got a three vehicle accident that occurred in a matter of seconds. Problem #1: Because you rear ended the vehicle in front of you, you are at fault for the accident, regardless of whether you slammed on your breaks to prevent the crash. Problem #2: You have caused some bodily injury to the driver of the vehicle you collided with, and the claim is going to be much more significant than just property damage payouts. Problem #3: You don't have insurance. To pay for the damages to the other two vehicles, the other two drivers' insurance companies are going to use the coverage for uninsured/underinsured motorists Bodily Injury limits for medical payments and collision coverage for property damages. But it doesn't stop there. Insurance companies go through a process called "subrogation" when claims are paid out. What this means is that after they (the first party insurance company) have paid the agreed upon amount to the insured (second party), a legal team would usually go to the at fault driver's insurance company (third-party) to have them reimburse the money that was paid out to the first party's insured. This is why premiums increase when you have an accident. Unfortunately, you do not have insurance, so the insurance company comes to you looking for money to pay out damages. If you make an agreement with the claimant's insurance company to pay out all of the damages owed, then you are permitted to keep your license. However, if you elect not to or cannot pay out the damages, the claimant's insurance company is obligated to report the incident to the State of New Hampshire, after which time you must get an SR-22, or a certificate showing that you have insurance (See our postings onSR-22's). Without this certificate, your license will be suspended until you have acquired proper coverage. Best if you Do, Damned if you Don't At this point, it would seem that it is almost better to have insurance than not. And you would be right. Independent insurance agents are in business to help you protect yourself from uncertainty. You never know when tragedy may strike. It is your responsibility to make sure that you are taken care of so that you don't get stuck with thousands of dollars in payments to an insurance company, and it isourresponsibility to make sure that you are getting the best coverage that fits your lifestyle and your budget. We just want to make sure that you are protected! So don't be scared when an agent offers you an insurance product; we are just spreading the word so that you will know in the back of your mind that should anything ever happen to you, there is someone watching over you to protect yourself, your finances, your family and your property. Call us today @(603)645-8600 to see how we can help to reduce financial risk, or visit us online @www.counterpointinsurance.com. Counterpoint Insurance: Helping you make informed decisions for your future. Relax, we've got you covered.
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