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What to Tell Your Agent (So You Get Better Advice Faster)

Zach NadlerBy Zach Nadler·

Want better insurance advice with less back-and-forth? The quality of guidance you get depends on the quality of information you share. Here's a simple list of what to send your agent — and what you don't need to worry about.

Better Info In = Better Advice Out

The best agents and brokers aren't mind readers. If you give vague info, you'll get vague answers. If you give clean info, you'll get clear, specific guidance — faster.

Here's what I recommend sharing so your agent can actually help you quickly.

1. Your Declarations Pages (Not Just the ID Cards)

If you send one thing, send this.

Declarations pages (dec pages) show:

  • Coverages and limits
  • Deductibles
  • Endorsements
  • Who's listed on the policy
  • What's actually in force (not what you think you bought)

    • ID cards are like the cover of the book. Dec pages are the book.

    2. A Quick "What Changed" Paragraph

    One short paragraph is enough. Examples:

  • "We just bought a house in San Carlos and renovated the kitchen."
  • "New teen driver, one new car, and we're hosting more."
  • "We started a small business and signed a lease."

    • This gives your agent context without needing to play detective.

    3. What You're Worried About (Say It Directly)

    You don't have to sound smart. Just be honest:

  • "I'm worried about getting non-renewed."
  • "I don't understand my deductible."
  • "I keep hearing about umbrella insurance and I'm not sure we have enough."

    • Great. Now we know where to start.

    4. Any Special Items or Unusual Exposures

    This is where surprises happen during claims. Flag anything out of the ordinary:

  • Jewelry or watches over $5,000
  • Art or collectibles
  • High-end bikes
  • Home office equipment
  • Short-term rental activity (Airbnb, VRBO)
  • A dog with a bite history

    • You don't need to confess your whole life story. Just flag the things that could affect your coverage.

    5. Your Risk Tolerance (In Human Terms)

    This is the part people skip — and it matters a lot.

    Are you:

  • "I want sleep-well-at-night coverage" — higher limits, lower deductibles, broader terms
  • "I'm comfortable absorbing smaller stuff, I just want protection for big losses" — higher deductibles, strategic coverage

    • Both are valid. They lead to different plans.

    What You Do NOT Need to Send

  • Your social security number (not needed for quoting)
  • Anything that makes you uncomfortable

    • We can always ask for more later if it's actually necessary.

    Key Takeaways

  • Send your declarations pages, not just your ID cards. Dec pages show what you actually have — limits, deductibles, endorsements, and who's covered.
  • Include a short "what changed" summary. Life changes drive coverage changes.
  • Tell your agent what worries you. Direct questions get direct answers.
  • Flag unusual items or exposures — jewelry, art, short-term rentals, dogs with history. These are where claims surprises happen.
  • Share your risk tolerance. "Sleep well at night" and "protect the big stuff only" lead to different plans — both valid.

    • What to Do Next

    Send me your declarations pages and that one-paragraph update. I'll tell you what's solid, what's missing, and what I'd revisit.

    Zach Nadler is a 4th-generation insurance broker at Nadler Insurance in San Carlos, CA. Send me your dec pages →

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