Most small businesses are run by the owners, with no employees listed under the organization. Managing everything, right from product formulation to marketing, and then shipping to customer support, can be hard. Small businesses have many other liabilities apart from selling their products or services to consumers. These include risk management for their companies, insurance policies, legal concerns, and cyber security. Doing all of this without help is very difficult. No wonder then that many times small business owners are left either under or over-insured, putting them at risk of losing money or their assets in the process.

Every business must invest in a partnership with an insurance agency that can assist them in regularly tweaking their insurance strategy. Each business requires a unique approach, plans, and risk mitigation strategies to match the rhythm of its operations.

But is it important to develop a relationship with an insurance agent?

Let’s take a look.

The importance of building trust and open communication

Having open communications and a trustworthy bond with an insurance agent helps in consistently obtaining accurate and personalized policy advice, allowing businesses to invest in the right policies at the right time.

Here is why establishing trust is so important:

Transparent and open communication

This helps in obtaining an honest description of the risks involved, the terms and conditions, and the appropriate coverage without any blind spots. Transparency eliminates ambiguity. An open communication channel enables small business owners to ask questions without appearing naive or being exploited for their inexperience. Leaving the jargon behind, the right insurance agency can work with a small business to pass on the necessary information easily and effectively.

Personalized suggestions and advice

Rather than window shopping and getting quotes from many agencies, small business owners must invest in finding an agency that can tailor policies to their requirements. This allows for clear, personalized suggestions and proactive advice for the owners. There is no one-size-fits-all policy in the context of small businesses. Small businesses require options tailored to their portfolio and the associated risks.

Quick resolutions and problem-hearing

Small business owners typically require quick turnaround times and personal touchpoints to resolve issues and questions. Most small businesses can’t unnecessarily invest in legal advice or attorneys; therefore, having dedicated personnel and quick resolutions is critical. Active resolutions can leave small business owners to focus solely on their business and delegate the insurance nitty-gritty to expert partners.

Adaptable solutions for changing times

We live in a time of natural disasters, pandemics, and economic disruptions. Thus, it is important to become a partner with an agency that can provide innovative and flexible solutions. A small business can be exposed to any type of threat, litigation, and more. To get through these difficult times, they must collaborate with agencies that are as proactive as these businesses require. This two-way approach can be an excellent way to solve problems quickly and adapt to solutions that are appropriate for the context, even if they are unconventional.

Long-term relationship with mutual trust

After establishing the appropriate communication model and identifying adaptable and workable solutions, it is critical to focus on developing long-term relationships. This can only be accomplished by regularly resolving complex issues, providing appropriate advice, and establishing channels to address future problems. This necessitates proactive approaches from the agency to ensure that the small business is not caught off guard under any circumstances. Checking in on a regular basis and revisiting the portfolio to ensure its completeness and relevance in the current situation can lead to a long-term relationship based on mutual trust.

Tips for finding the right agent

Now that we have understood that an insurance agency can be a partner to a small business, we need to understand how to find the right partner who understands the needs. Here are some quick tips for finding the right insurance agent:

Carefully assess what the small business needs

Small business owners must be realistic and understand that their company does not require extensive and detailed plans to be market-safe. They first need to determine their assets and liabilities, and then conduct a risk assessment. This will help them to determine whether the business requires personalized support or a simple portfolio with only occasional customer support.

Stability and relationship-building focus

When a small business has identified its needs and is ready to take the plunge, it is critical to research the values of the insurance agency with which it wishes to partner. Finding the right overlap of values and understanding mutual needs are critical to determining the right focus. Small businesses should always make decisions based on stability and relationship-building rather than short-term goals.

Find someone who understands the small business ecosystem.

Lastly, it is very important to tie up with someone who understands the small business ecosystem. The nuances, struggles, and needs of a small business owner can only be understood well by someone who has been in the same shoes. Instead of going with large corporations, always invest in having partnerships with a small business company that can not only understand the concerns but also technically read minds, providing the right solution at the right time due to the available practical knowledge.

Gonzalez Insurance is focused on dedicated partnerships, where we collaborate with future leaders to help them steer the wheel with caution. Being a small business ourselves, we have a thorough understanding of the complexities of a small business ecosystem. To know more about our product offerings or get a portfolio analysis, get in touch with us.