What is the primary role of an insurance agent?

The primary role of an insurance agent is to sell and service insurance policies while advising clients on their coverage needs. An insurance agent acts as a liaison between the insurance company and the client, helping clients understand the various policies available and recommending options that best meet their individual needs and circumstances. This involves assessing the client's situation, discussing their requirements, and ensuring that they have adequate coverage to protect against potential risks.

Additionally, agents are responsible for reviewing and updating policies as necessary, providing ongoing support, and guiding clients through the insurance process. This core function emphasizes the importance of personalized service and expertise in helping clients navigate the complexities of insurance products.

In contrast, collecting premiums from clients, settling claims, and assessing risk levels are important tasks within the insurance industry but are typically part of different roles or processes. Collecting premiums is usually a function of the operations side of an insurance company, not the agent's primary role. Settling claims is often handled by claims adjusters, who evaluate and process claims after a loss occurs. Assessing risk levels is typically the responsibility of underwriters, who evaluate applications to determine the acceptability of insuring a risk before a policy is issued.