What Janie says, about care in chosing an agent, rings true. My father sold insurance, and in many cases "went to bat" for clients with the companies he sold for ans in most cases it worked out to their advantage.

One should also understand that an agent works for the company and a broker represents you, to the companies. If a broker screws up, or misreporesents your case, he is representing you, not the company and the company is off the hook.

A few years ago I purchased a house. The application required me to sign that all the electrical wiring had been replaced within 20 years. I told them I believed this to be true, but could not certify it. They said, "it's OK, just sign anyway. I refused. I knew that if I signed and my house burned "for any reason", and the insurance company found one tiny wire had not been replaced (I lied), the company could technically say my coverage was invalid.