Medicare Supplemental Insurance
Choosing the Right Agent

When evaluating Insurance Agents, ask yourself the following questions.
Does he or she answer your questions so you can make an informed decision, or is the agent pressuring you into a decision?

If the agent represents only one company, what is the advantage of that company over others?
Choose an agent who will give you professional advice and service, both before and after you purchase a policy.

Protect yourself. Most agents are honest, but don't be misled.
Refuse to deal with an agent who uses high-pressure tactics to force or frighten you into buying a Medigap policy.

Remember: It is unlawful for an agent to make fraudulent or misleading comparisons to get you to switch from one company to another.

Get the agent's name, address and phone number right away, or ask for a business card with that information.

Contact your state insurance department to report abuses by agents, or to check whether an agent or company is licensed to do business in your state. The insurance department can also tell you what kinds of complaints have been filed against individual companies and agents.

Waiting period for pre-existing conditions.
Even though a company issues you a policy, you may not be covered immediately for all illnesses-companies are allowed by law to have a waiting period for up to six months before covering claims related to health conditions you had before your policy became effective.

If you switch from one company to another, this waiting period will not apply if you satisfy the exclusion under the first policy.