1. What are your service standards and commitments to your clients?

You should feel comfortable that the broker you are working with will be there for you when you need them. It's important to know what their guarantee is with their service. Ask these questions:

- How quickly do they respond to emails and phone calls?

- How soon before my renewal date do you start working on my policy with me?

- Are there emergency numbers to contact should a claim happen outside of business hours?

Avant Insurance is an independently and locally owned Insurance Broker happily representing and protecting our clients for years.

2.What is your expertise and experience?

It takes several years to be well versed and experienced handling commercial insurance. If your broker does not have experience, the advice you receive may not be adequate. There are a wide variety of coverages available in commercial insurance requiring expertise in understanding each and how they relate to your business.

Brokers sometimes specialize in specific industries and will provide experience based information on risk management and insurance company selection.

Avant Insurance has over 100 years of combined insurance experience specializing in many different sectors!

3.What support or assistance do you provide if I ever have a clam?

Your broker should be well versed in the claims process and how they support you through it. Questions to ask are:
- Do you have an emergency claims line?
- How involved do you stay once the claim is filed with the insurance company?

Your broker should provide guidance through a claims process and is your advocate when dealing with the insurance company!

Avant Insurance is an independently and locally owned Insurance Broker happily representing and protecting our clients for years.

4. Do you have references From your clients?

In our virtual world, it can be fairly easy to find out what other people's experience has been with a company. It's a great idea to check the overall tone of the online reviews but also ask your broker for some references preferably from a client who has a business similar in size to yours.

Ask the references how often they hear from their broker, how the service is, how long they have been a client of the broker and how quickly they respond to requests.

Avant Insurance is an independently and locally owned Insurance Broker happily representing and protecting our clients for years.

5.Do you offer multiple quotes and coverage options?

Your insurance broker should shop various companies to find a personalized solution for you. Some questions to ask when reviewing your options with your broker are:

- How many insurance companies did you approach for a quote? Were there any companies who declined to quote and why?

- What is your recommended quote and why?

- Are there any gaps in coverage that | should be aware of?

- Can you tell me about the insurance company's financial health, policyholder services, claims service etc?

- If become your client, how often do you check the market to ensure | am getting the best insurance product?

Avant Insurance is an independently owned Insurance Broker happily representing and protecting our clients for years.

6.Do you and your staff have professional designations or accreditations?

Just like the MD that follow a doctor's name, brokers have special designations and accreditations that signify completion of additional insurance education

CAIB: Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker
CIP: Chartered Insurance Professional

CRM: Canadian Risk Management

Avant Insurance is supportive of employees education and proudly has employees with these prestigious designations.

7.Are you an Insurance Agent or an Insurance Broker?

An Insurance Agent is a representative and is employed by the Insurance Company that they are offering terms for.

An Insurance Broker represents the customer and is a company independent of the Insurance Company offering their clients risk management, coverage, conditions, and price recommendations based on the clients needs.

Avant Insurance is an independently owned Insurance Broker happily representing and protecting our clients for years.

8.Do you have the ability to grow with my business?

It's important to know if the broker and brokerage has resources in place to service your growing business.

Are they able to accommodate bonding, commercial automobile risks and other lines of business you may need in the future?

Are they knowledgeable and have resources to accommodate out of province or foreign risks?

Do they have a support team that will also be working with you?
What other value added services do they offer?

Avant Insurance is an independently and locally owned Insurance Broker happily representing and protecting our clients for years.

9.Do you provide risk. management services?

Proper risk management of your business has many benefits and allows us to negotiate better rates on your insurance policy. We are skilled and trained at risk management and can provide advice, resources and guidance on how to reduce your chances of a loss and give you peace of mind.

Avant Insurance is an independently and locally owned Insurance Broker happily representing and protecting our clients for years.

10.Who owns your brokerage?

Sometimes brokerages are owned by insurers or other insurance entities. We are fully independent which means we aren't encouraged to recommend certain insurers. We work for our clients, and our clients only.

Avant Insurance is an independently and locally Broker happily representing and protecting our clients for years.