The three communication secrets you need to know before dealing with your auto insurance agent

How would you rate your communication skills? Well? Just? Now how are your communication skills when you are angry? Chances are your diplomacy and tact will tend to falter a bit when you add a little emotion to the mix. It happens to all of us. Unfortunately, the key to effectively resolving any issue you may have with your auto insurance agent lies in being able to work through your emotions and communicate clearly.

Here are the three secrets to effective communication used by business power players that you need to know before you pick up the phone to try to negotiate with your auto insurance agent:

If it can be avoided, never call your auto insurance agent when you’re angry. Why? Because clear communication is nearly impossible when emotions get in the way. Take some time to cool off before reaching for the phone. Go for a walk. Clean the house. Forget it for a day or two. Set the problem aside until you are ready to deal with it calmly.

This step is important for several reasons. When you’re angry, it’s hard to see any side of the situation other than your own. It’s also much, much easier to start pointing fingers when you’re angry. This may make you feel better, but putting the official representatives of the auto insurance companies you have to work with on the defensive will not pave the way to any kind of resolution. As good as it feels to let off steam, wouldn’t it feel better if the problem was completely resolved?

Once you have calmed down, find out what needs to happen to resolve the issue. What do you want your auto insurance agents to do for you? Believe it or not, many people have no idea what they want to accomplish when they pick up the phone to call their insurance company. All they know is that there is a problem and they want the company to fix it.

What you have to remember is that your car insurance company wants to help you. They really do. But it is very difficult to help you if nobody knows how to do it. Have a clear picture in your mind of the resolution you want to see come true before you make that call.

Remember that you are working with a person, not a machine. Ideally, auto insurance companies would make sure all of their employees are properly trained to deal with anything that might come their way before putting them on the phone. Unfortunately, reality doesn’t work that way. You will often find yourself working with agents who are still getting their feet wet in the auto insurance business and may not be able to help you at first. Be patient with them and encourage them to refer you to a manager if it becomes painfully obvious that they won’t be able to resolve your issue.

Believe it or not, being nice to your agents is the best thing you can do for yourself to get the resolution you’re looking for.