1. Find the agent yourself. If they are calling you, were referred to you, etc. they may be find, but they are not necessarily the best agent in the world. So, instead of having some one come to you, actively seek someone out. While your friends way give you a referral, what are they basing it on? Their friendship? The person's etiquette? What? If you want to find a great agent, instead when asking someone for a referral, let them know you want someone who is competent, who has experience, who cares more about you than the commission they are going to get out of your policy. They should review several different policies, etc. to help you buy only what you need, and get the most out of every dollar you use.
2. Talk to the bankers, lawyers, accountants, mechanics, and anyone who deals with insurance companies on a regular basis to find out who they recommend are the best agents out there. These guys or girls deal with them regularly and know which ones are going to get your claim along in a hurry, and which ones are going to skimp and try to save.
3. Interview the prospective agents. You want to make sure that not only do they come highly recommended, but that they fit some criteria as well. For example, make sure that they have worked full-time for at least five years, make sure that your potential agent either has their CLU, or is working toward it. And, of course, the agent is not the only thing that matters, who do they represent? So find out what their personal histories are, how they take care of their clients. The idea here is that you want to know by talking to them what kind of policies they like, why they like them, and whether or not you feel comfortable around them. Of course while you are interviewing them, they should be interviewing you as well. They should be asking you what your needs are as you evaluate them.
4. Look for an independent insurance provider that will not wrap any fees or charged into your premium, This is going to save you money because you will only pay for the hourly rate that it takes to have them evaluate your position and which policy works best for you. You pay more up front to have an advisor, and in the long run to an agent. Just make sure you do not end up paying both ways. Do not go with a fee based agent that also gets a commission. Paying twice is never a good idea.

The right insurance agent is going to make a bigger difference than anything else.