Most agents are very professional and honest but remember a dishonest agent can confuse you with a sales pitch designed for high sales commission with little regard to the impact it might have on you financially.

A good agent can be your best ally and advocate if you have a problem with the insurance company.

It is always good to get recommendations from friends, business acquaintances, banker or lawyer about finding the best agent you want to buy your life insurance from.

Insurance agents are all required to be licensed. But I personally look for an agent with extensive education beyond the bare minimum required for a license. These agents may use initials after their names to let you know you are dealing with a well-trained professional. Some examples:

CLU: Chartered Life Underwriter

ChFC: Chartered Financial Consultant

FLMI: Fellow of Life Management Institute

CFP: Certified Financial Planner

• Decide how much you need (the amount of death benefits)
• How long you want the life insurance to cover you (1, 5,10, 15, 20, or more years)
• Compare insurance premiums with other companies
• Find out if the insurance policy fees are built into the premiums
• Ask is the life insurance policy is renewable
• Find out if it is convertible to whole life insurance
• Ask if participating life insurance policies are available (potential for dividends)

You can purchase term life insurance from an insurance agent but some companies market term insurance through the mail, internet or TV.