PRIVATE INSURERS don’t pose much of a problem, as their numbers are small. Moreover, most private companies assign an official to contact you after you give them a call. However, that’s not quite the case with LIC. There are around 600,000 LIC agents across the country, and finding a good one can wear you down. Here are a few questions you ought to ask an LIC agent. It would go a long way in ensuring you end up in safe company:

Are you from the neighbourhood?
An agent knocks on your door. After offering him a seat, ask him if he is from the same locality as yours. This will help you cross-check his antecedents, contacts and standing in the profession, among other things. However, there’s one problem with familiar agents: obligation. Don't buy insurance because you have to oblige someone.

Are you a ‘real’ agent?
No metaphysical twist there. Just ask him whether he is a professional agent – in other words, a full-time agent. There are a whole lot of rank amateurs, part-timers, dummies who have signed up with LIC, many with less than a year’s experience. It is in your interest to buy insurance not from one of them, but a professional agent.

What if he says he is a full-timer, but you are still not convinced? Ask him when is he available for his clients. If it is evening hours and early mornings -- after or before office hours, that is – rest assured, the guy is a part-timer. If he gives an LIC branch number for contact during office hours, it is fine. Otherwise, he earns his bread elsewhere, and his loyalty is divided. Also, make sure he is not acting on behalf of someone else, notably his better half.

How many years have you been in the profession?
If the answer to the previous question was in the affirmative, ask him about his stint in the profession. Any matriculate will find place with a harried development officer struggling to meet his yearly business quota. He gets into the profession, and gets the boot in a year. Or works for five years to qualify for renewal commissions. Statistics show that only 9 per cent of LIC agents weather 10 years of service. Remember: your policy term is longer than that.

Do you have an office?
Let it be his house or a dingy place. But if he has a place that can be termed as office, he sure means business. Also, you have an address and telephone number where you can reach him. It won't be a case of "if it is between 10 am. and 2 pm, call me at this number, till six, at this one, and later, at my residence."

Which branch do you work for? And who is your development officer there?
Agents work for development officers attached to a particular LIC branch. Take down his name and telephone number, and cross check. You can even visit the branch and chat with the development officer about your plan to buy a life cover. You can also tactfully learn more about LIC and its products from him. Also, you know where to make a complaint (the branch manager is your first stop) in case of any problem with the agent.

Who are some of your clients?
The agent is passing the filters, and beginning to appear like an angel. Time to ask him for references. His few clients -- new, old, claims he helped settle -- will be of great help. Drop that I-don’t-mingle-with-neighbours-attitude, and make a few calls or visits, if you will. Chances are that the angel may shed his mask. For instance, you happen to know the chap who got married recently (he also happens to do business with the agent). Ask him whether the agent visited him, advising him about changing the nomination. It is a small hint, nevertheless a useful one. It shows how professional and resourceful the agent is.

Do you have experience in dealing with claim settlement?
Claim is your final settlement. It can be maturity claim (when you survive the term) or death claim. LIC strives to discharge maturity claim on time. For timely payment, your agent just has to keep track of it and make a few queries about it at the branch. However, in death claims, it is important he argues your case well, especially in early claims.

Why did you choose this policy for me?
Okay, you have settled for him and worked out the insurance sum amicably. Now, your agent should choose an insurance plan for you: a-bima-something. Great, but ask him why he chose that plan for you. Ask him to explain the product to you. It is a brochure, not prospectus you are reading; so make an extra effort to comprehend before committing yourself. You can also ask for a written proposal from him, which you can cross check with another agent or even on a site.