The 3 Keys to Effective Communication with Your Virginia Car Insurance Agent

The 3 Keys to Effective Communication with Your Virginia Car Insurance Agent

When I was talking to car insurance buyers at a seminar in Virginia recently there was one thing I noticed over and over again. Almost all of them had had a problem with their car insurance company at one point or another, and almost all of those problems could be tied back to a communication error.

Regardless of where you work, if you have to work with people at any point in time you probably had to learn some basic communication skills. But these skills often go out the window when you're dealing with your car insurance company, leaving both you and your agent frustrated and you dissatisfied with your insurance coverage.

A simple communication error that could take you five minutes to fix make you spend weeks hunting for new insurance and possibly paying way more than you need to for your coverage in exchange for the satisfaction of giving your old insurance provider the boot. Since your time is more valuable than that, let's talk about some basic strategies to use when you're working with your Virginia car insurance agent.

Do You Know What You Want to Make Happen?

Your insurance agent wants to help you. Really.

When you're irritated with your Virginia car insurance provider it can be tempting to pick up the phone and give in to the urge to rant. Hey, it makes you feel better! Ranting doesn't bring solutions, however. Before you pick up the phone make sure you have a clear idea in your head of what you want to make happen and what your insurance agent needs to do to make it a reality. Then you can outline the facts and the steps clearly, and both of you can walk away happy.

Calm Down Before You Pick Up the Phone!

If I could give my insurance buyers any one piece of advice that would be invaluable when dealing with their car insurance provider, it would be this. Never call your insurer when you're angry or upset. Your emotions, while completely justified and understandable, are going to stand in the way of finding a clear solution. If you have the option, wait an hour or two and do something else before you call. That gives you some time to take a deep breath, think through what you want to say and determine the best way to present it. Then you can approach your car insurance agent in a calm, reasonable manner that they won't be able to ignore.

Remember Your Audience

Finally, remember who you're going to be talking to when you pick up the phone. Yes, this person is a representative of your Virginia car insurance provider, but they're also just a person. Many of them have been given training in the company's guidelines and standards and then tossed on the phones without mastering all of the grey areas in between. They may have the knowledge and experience they need to help you with your problem. On the other hand, they may not.

If you feel like you and your insurance agent have been going around in circles for hours and you honestly feel that they don't understand enough to give you the answer you're looking for, don't be afraid to ask to speak to a manager. Ever company has a hierarchy when it comes to helping customers, and yours is no different. Don't let the fact that your agent is human stop you from enjoying the car insurance rates and coverage you deserve!

Communication is almost always the first thing to go when something goes wrong with your Virginia car insurance coverage, but it's the most important part of getting the answers and the solutions you're looking for. The next time you're thinking about calling your car insurance agent, take a minute to pretend you're calling your boss or a client instead. You'll be amazed at the difference using basic communication skills will make.

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