How to Vet Insurance Companies in New York

How to Vet Insurance Companies in New York

The number of insurance companies in New York means that prospective policyholders have the benefit of shopping in a very competitive market. This competition can bring with it low monthly premiums for higher coverage amounts and an increased attention to other important services such as customer service support and faster claim evaluation. While more options can be a great thing for the customer, it can also make it difficult to narrow down which provider is the right fit for you. However, by knowing which questions to ask, even first time insurance buyers can easily determine the quality of a particular company.

Before even scheduling a meeting with an agent, or submitting a request for a quote, seek information online about the company's financial rating. This is a great way to gauge the overall health of the company, and can be a good indicator about how stable they are and how well they are managed. Ideally, the company with which you will ultimately work will have an A rating. If a provider's rating is anything less than a B, they are best avoided entirely, even if their premiums are low.

Always ask about the average amount of time it takes for a claim to be processed. For some insurance companies, the amount of time it takes for a claim to pay out is staggering. If you will have to wait months or years to receive the help you need after an accident, a fire or any other catastrophe, your insurance is not working for you. In addition, slow claim processing times can be indicative of an inefficient company or a general lack of respect for their customers.

Talk to your agent about the customer support that a prospective provider offers. Nothing is more frustrating than needing help understanding a policy change or with the process of filing a claim and finding that no one is reachable. Some of the largest companies provide around the clock support to their customers and most small companies will answer phones outside of normal business hours as well. Ensuring that you will have access to the support you need before filing a claim will reduce the chances that you are dissatisfied with your insurance after signing a contract.

Only after you have vetted a few options for insurance companies in New York should you begin to fill out free requests for quotes. Though it is not necessary to request dozens of coverage and premium estimates, it is a good idea to submit at least five or six. Though these applications can be lengthy, it is important to fill them out as completely as possible to ensure that your quote is accurate. If you will be working with an agent, they may be able to help you with this process, or you may call the help lines of some of your top insurance company candidates for assistance.

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