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Before you choose an insurance agent, ask them a handful of pointed questions: how many people or businesses like you they work with, what carriers they can shop, how often they will review your coverage, how they handle a claim, and how long they plan to stay in the role. The right answers tell you whether you are getting a long-term advocate or a one-time salesperson. Here is the full checklist, and why each question matters.
Choosing an agent can feel like a big decision, and it is. In a small market like Alpena, Gaylord, or Petoskey, your agent is often someone you will see at the grocery store for years, so it is worth taking a little time to make sure they are a good fit. Everything below is meant to help you decide, whether or not you ever call us.
Do they actually work with people like you?
Coverage is largely the same across industries, but the exposures that really matter are different for a lakefront cottage owner in Hillman than for a roofing contractor in Traverse City. You want an agent who has seen situations like yours before, or who knows exactly where to find the answer.
- How many businesses or people like me do you work with?
- Can you give examples of clients like me you have helped?
- If you have not worked with my industry, who do you lean on who has?
A good agent does not need to know the answer to every question, because situations vary so much. They do need to know how and where to find the answer, and to have a network of carriers and specialists behind them. That is the difference between a resource and an order-taker.
How will they manage your coverage over time?
Insurance is not a set-it-and-forget-it purchase. As your life or business changes, your coverage should change with it, and that only happens if someone is paying attention.
- How often will we review my policies and coverage?
- How do you help clients manage risk and avoid claims in the first place?
- What additional services do you provide beyond placing a policy?
- What technology or tools do you offer for managing my policies?
Regular reviews mean you are less likely to find out you were underinsured at the worst possible moment. Just know that scheduled reviews do not replace the calls you should make when something changes, such as a payroll jump, a new vehicle, new equipment, or a new service you start offering.
What carriers can they shop, and how do they handle rate increases?
This is where an independent agency earns its keep. An agent tied to a single company can only offer you that company's products, while an independent agent can compare several carriers and look for the fit that suits you.
- What carriers do you work with, and how do you choose among them?
- What is your process when my premium goes up?
- How do you address service problems when they come up?
Premiums across Michigan have been climbing, and a transparent agent will explain the why behind an increase and bring you alternative strategies rather than just passing along the bad news. Ask how they respond when a mistake happens too, because how quickly a problem gets fixed tells you a lot.
Will they be there when you have a claim?
A claim is the moment you find out what your agent is really worth. According to the Insurity 2026 consumer survey, 86% of consumers still prefer a human agent for complex decisions, and filing a claim is exactly that kind of moment. Luckily, we will always be a human-forward agency, so you'll always be able to reach a human during normal business hours.
- What support can I expect if I need to file a claim?
- How do you advocate for me if a claim is delayed or disputed?
You want someone who will walk you through the process and go to bat for you with the carrier. Our claims guide shows the kind of step-by-step help a good agency provides when something goes wrong.
Is the agency stable, and will your agent stick around?
Stability matters more than most people realize. If your agent leaves or the agency is sold, your service can change overnight.
- How long do you see yourself staying in your role?
- Has your agency been part of a merger or acquisition?
- What makes your agency different from the others in town?
- Who are your biggest competitors, and why should I choose you?
Mergers are not always bad, but they can bring changes in culture, tools, and service, or higher turnover on your team. A confident agent will talk openly about their competition and focus on their own strengths rather than badmouthing anyone. For a 52-year, third-generation agency, being here next year, and the year after, is the whole point.
Why do these questions matter?
Choosing an agent is not about finding the cheapest quote. It is about finding a partner who understands your situation, advocates for your interests, and is still around when you need them. Work through the checklist above with any agent you are considering, and the right fit tends to make itself obvious.
If you would like to see how we answer these questions ourselves, the folks at our Traverse City office are happy to talk it through, and our Insurance 101 page covers the basics of how coverage works. Business owners weighing an agency change may also find our contractor bonding playbook a useful look at how a knowledgeable agent adds value beyond the policy itself.
Ready to compare? Call Top O' Michigan at 800-686-8664, email service@thespireteam.com, or request a quote, and we will walk you through what makes our agency different. Coverage is subject to underwriting and is not bound or altered until confirmed by an authorized representative.