If you're like most people, you've probably been taking great pains to avoid insurance sales people all your adult life. Then, when you want one, you're in a quandary about how to choose.

The first step is to decide whether you want an independent agent or an exclusive one. Independent agents represent multiple companies, while exclusive (also called captive agents) sell only the insurance products of a particular company.

As a rule, you're better off with an independent agent. Independents, in theory can get you a better price by comparison shopping. Yet, there are still caveats. As the complexity of insurance products can be mind numbing, an independent might not understand a particular company's policies as well as agents exclusive to that concern. Moreover, to put more money into Hip National Bank, some independents tend to steer clients to the more expensive policies among their offerings, though these may not be a better value.

There's no compelling reason to go to an exclusive agent unless you've decided up front that the company he or she represents is the one you want to do business with. For example, if you've had satisfactory dealings with a provider of car or home insurance over a number of years, you would be well advised to contact them concerning life insurance. You already know how they do business; now you want to see some premium quotes.

As insurance is such a complex product, you're looking for someone who can succinctly explain the differences between policies and options, and someone who is tireless in obtaining new price quotes quickly as you become aware of new options suited to your particular station in life. You also want someone who doesn't push too hard (too many insurance agents do this, keeping the cliché alive), who lets the products sell themselves by explaining them well.

At your first meeting, you will get a sense of whether a prospective agent is this kind of professional. If not, and if the agent is exclusive to a given company, you don't have to abandon that company; simply find another captive agent with the same firm. Early on in this interview, ask the agent for their insurance license number. (All agents must be licensed in the states where they do business.) If they balk, then walk.

Contact your state insurance commission to confirm whether your candidate is indeed licensed. If your state office maintains files on complaints lodged against agents, check that, too. While you're at it, ask the office for information on their financial condition.

Though responsible insurance commissions aren't supposed to let weak companies practice, some state regulators aren't exactly known for being tough on the industries they're supposed to oversee. Find out for yourself whether an insurer you're considering is substantially solvent and likely to stay that way.

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