(BPT) - Many of us have a group of professionals we depend on, including our doctor, plumber or our insurance agent. These experts can quickly become an integral part of our lives, saving us time and money, teaching us about complex purchase decisions, and being available in times of crisis.

Establishing a team of trusted experts in our lives can help guide us through some of life's most important decisions. Establishing trust in an expert's knowledge can create a bond, but also a sense of confidence and reliance on someone's counsel. This is especially true when it comes to choosing an insurance agent.

'Many consumers tend to start their insurance journey by shopping online, however, most will eventually go through an agent when it comes time to buy,' said Brandt Minnich, Mercury Insurance VP & Chief Sales Development Officer. 'It is beneficial to turn to a professional, such as an insurance agent, to ensure you have adequate protection without overpaying.'

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 50% of the current insurance workforce will retire in the next 15 years, leaving more than 400,000 open positions unfilled. This will make having a seasoned professional insurance agent working for you even more valuable.

Here are just a few insurance stats from world financial experts Forbes and credit rating and research company Fitch:

• Car insurance costs are on the rise. The cost of auto insurance increased by 63.8% between 2014 and 2023 and now averages $2,150 annually for full coverage.
• Fitch reports that insurers continue to face loss cost uncertainty specific to home insurance because of cost volatility and lack of availability of key building materials, components and skilled labor, as well as higher reinsurance costs.
• Nationally, insured catastrophe losses for 2023 remained substantial despite a reduction in major hurricane losses, according to leading global reinsurance broker Gallagher Re's recent Natural Catastrophe and Climate Report: 2023. Instead, industry losses were largely attributable to severe convective storms (generally referred to as thunderstorms) losses totaling $59.7 billion, including 24 events that generated $1 billion or higher in combined loss.

'An independent insurance agent is a licensed professional who represents multiple insurance companies, and they offer a variety of insurance products to their clients,' said Weili Lu, Director of the School of Risk Management and Insurance at California State University, Fullerton. 'Their services deliver tailored risk solutions, ensuring that every client's unique needs are met with expertise and care.'

Here are some best practices for building a strong relationship with your insurance agent:

Communicate: Regular communication with your insurance agent helps to ensure that you stay up to date on your insurance needs and receive ongoing support and guidance.

Provide feedback: If you have feedback or concerns about your policy or service, share them with your insurance agent to keep the lines of communication open.

More personalized customer service: Most agents are easily accessible and offer personalized service as opposed to 'online chats' from an app.

Make sure you get regular insurance reviews: Regularly reviewing your insurance coverage and deductibles will help make sure you are adequately covered and avoid surprises.

Going directly to the carrier or agent speeds up the process and lets you determine the price you are willing to pay.

'Going through a trusted insurance agent can be very beneficial,' added Minnich. 'An agent can help make sure you are never underinsured, and you are getting all of the discounts to which you are entitled, such as good driver and multi-policy or bundling discounts.'

If you think of your insurance agent as part of your 'team of experts,' like your mechanic or your electrician, you can establish a long-term relationship that can save you time and more importantly, money in the long run.