How do I get paid?

I recently had a prospective client ask how much my services cost. She had checked out my website, yet that question was not clear. It is not a secret, and I want all my clients to feel comfortable using me and my knowledge. I am an independent insurance agent/broker. I do not work for just one insurance company. I do not get a paycheck or any benefits. I do, however, contract to represent many reputable insurance companies. If and when I place a policy with them, they reward me with a commission. In all honesty, these commissions can vary significantly. However, it is my practice to place my clients in the best policy for them; not the one that will pay me the most. There is also a misconception that using an agent will cost more than dealing with a company directly. That is not true. The Virginia Department of Insurance approves all the insurance rates. They are published in black and white, no matter what course you take to obtain your policy, the rates are the same. Why not use your local, experienced agent instead of trying to talk to someone on the phone, or figure it all out on the internet? I am not a high-pressure sales person. Also, not only do insurance companies pay me for explaining the policy and doing the paperwork, many continue to pay me a trail of commissions for a certain time. That means every year that you renew, I get a small payment again. This is a good deal for you and for me. The insurance company wants you to be happy with their product. They know an approachable agent is of value to them and their clients. I tell my clients that they may contact me at any time for any reason. They are not “bothering” me, I get paid to help them and it is an important part of my work. Even if you choose not to buy a policy for from me, that is okay. I trust that I will have done a good enough job for you that you might refer me to someone else who will buy. I trust God that if I do the right things for my clients, God will make sure that my needs are provided for. It has worked well.