An insurance agent is responsible for helping individuals, families and businesses find appropriate protection for their health, property and lives. A good insurance agent should have a firm grasp on the financial products consumers are interested in, the technology to stay relevant and the customer service to build a reputable name.

When choosing a life insurance agent there are a number of different variables to look at. If an agent doesn't possess the characteristics enumerated below, it is highly unlikely that he or she will remain in the business over the long run.

1. Product Knowledge - Along with the basic insurance products, an increasing number of insurance agents offer comprehensive financial services, thereby creating a one-stop-shop where clients can satisfy their needs for insurance and financial planning. A good insurance agent always gets updated with changes in tax and insurance laws that may affect the client's investments.

2. Competitive Customer Service - Even in today's computerized world, a large number of people prefer to purchase a policy by sitting down with an agent rather than going online. By doing this, they reinforce the importance of superior customer service.

The best agents are flexible, enthusiastic, and reliable. Their job is to inspire client confidence through effective communication. In order to help address the needs of their clients, many agents hire customer service representatives to handle client questions, make changes to policies and process claims, thus leaving the agent free to work on finding new clients and preserving relationships with old clients.

3. Persistence - While it may seem to some a negative quality to have an agent contacting the client continually about insurance, passive persistence is a necessary quality in sales related occupation, especially the insurance industry. Agents who are unable to systematic follow-up with prospective clients are unlikely to have long-term success. This demonstrates a zeal the lack of which is detrimental to the agent as well as the customer.

4. Competence - There are too many insurance advisers who lack a standard level of competence in these days. Incompetence can leave one's family in the cold at their time of need.

5. Honesty - A good insurance agent should be honest. But, as in any industry, there are always a handful of bad apples. One should ask their respective agent's if they can talk to any existing clients for feedback, or if he or she has any testimonials.

6. Strong back office support - A good agent should have a strong back office team. This team should be able to assist him or her with administrative issues such as changing beneficiaries, change of address and changes in pre-authorized banking details. A strong back office team can also assist with reports for quarterly semi-annual or annual reviews and provide updates on any policy changes.

7. Complete product shelf - Captive insurance agents are usually limited to one or two carriers, whereas independent agents are free to offer products of a large number of insurers. Although, most independent agents only work with two or three companies. One should try to find an independent agent who deals with a wide range of carriers and is not restricted by any quotas.