Make our relationship work

The key to any good relationship is trust and the client/agent relationship is no exception. You need to trust your Benefit Advisors knowledge, experience and professional judgement. And above all, you always should feel that the Benefit Advisor is acting in your best interest. The Benefit Advisors also need to trust you. He or she needs to know that the information you provide is truthful and complete. And ultimately, the Benefit Advisors need to have faith in your ability to make the right choices for you family.

When the time comes to sit down with your Benefit Advisor, here's some information that will help ensure a productive meeting.

Be ready to answer lots of questions. In order to conduct a thorough health analysis, your Benefit Advisors will need to gather a lot of information on your families' situation. So prior to the meeting, you might want to prepare (or update) your health information with your doctor.

Expect detailed questions about your health. For example, you can expect questions about your age, medical condition, medical history, family health history, and personal habits, such as any risky hobbies you may have. When you apply for health insurance, you typically will not be asked to have a medical exam. But if so, a licensed medical professional will make a personal visit to your home.

Be truthful at all times. Always answer questions about medical history and health carefully and truthfully. This information helps a company establish a premium for your coverage based on your risk. For instance, you may pay a lower premium if you don't smoke. On the other hand, if you have a chronic illness, you may be charged a higher premium. Also, in the event of a claim, accurate and truthful answers enable your health provider to receive prompt payment. Inaccurate or untruthful answers, however, may cause delay or even denial of a claim.

Make sure you receive the attention and advice you deserve. You should feel satisfied that your agent is listening to you and doing all that he or she can to find you the right type of insurance at an affordable price. Your Benefit Advisor should take the time to carefully assess your situation and explain in detail any recommendations that he or she makes. Never allow yourself to be rushed into a decision and if you don't understand something your Benefit Advisor is trying to explain to you, ask to have it explained again. If you are not comfortable with your Benefit Advisor, or you aren't convinced he or she is providing the service you want, find another Benefit Advisor.