What way do you prefer to purchase insurance? By going online and navigating the complicated buying process on your own? By getting rates from only one company with little choice regarding coverage and few options for price?
Most people would say they’re looking for a better way to purchase one of the most important commodities that protect you, your family, your property, and your assets — insurance. Fortunately, there is a better option.
It’s called an independent insurance agent. Never worked with one before? Here’s why they’re better in nearly every way.
What Is an Independent Insurance Agent?
An independent agent is local and works with clients one-on-one to provide them with every type of insurance they require, including home, auto, life, health, and other insurance plans. They generally represent several insurance carriers at once.
Independent insurance agents differ from the other two core ways that people generally purchase insurance. These ways are:
Option 1: Direct purchase
It is possible to purchase your insurance directly from insurance carriers. When you do this, you’re not using an agent. Therefore, it can be difficult to navigate the system and find policies that actually meet your needs. Often, when people buy direct, they miss key coverage gaps that will later come back to hurt them when they need to make a claim.
Still, many people like buying direct because they feel they’re getting a better deal. To be sure, purchasing insurance direct from an insurance carrier can lower prices, but when you factor in coverage that is often poor or features glaring gaps, you’ll see that these so-called discounts may not be worth it.
Moreover, buying insurance direct means that you don’t have anyone advocating for you. You don’t have an agent who’s on your side and who can help you figure out the best plan for you and your family or make a claim that will pay out.
Option 2: Purchase with a captive agent
For those who don’t buy insurance direct, buying insurance with a captive agent is one other possibility. Captive agents are like independent agents, but the key difference is that they work with only one insurance carrier. For example, a captive agent may only work with State Farm.
For this reason, captive agents are not capable of offering a wide array of quotes and options that independent insurance agents can. Captive agents are local, and they will advocate for you, but remember that they’re working for a single insurance carrier and likely have the insurance carrier’s interests in mind before yours.
Why Independent Agents Are Your Best Choice for Buying Insurance
Not only are independent insurance agents local and able to work one-on-one with you to select all of your insurance policies, but you’ll end up getting the best value for your money with an independent agent as well.
While purchasing things like computers, cell phones, and other household items online — direct from the company — is useful and may save you money, remember that insurance is not like other commodities. It should be at the top of your list to find optimal coverage for you and your family and ample limits to protect your assets.
If you’re already used to purchasing insurance from an independent agent, make sure to share this news with others in your life. Friends and family can also benefit from the value that independent agents provide.
For those who are still looking for a better way to purchase insurance, consider an independent agent for yourself. You can give Reis Insurance a call, or stop in to see us any time, and we’d be happy to sit down with you and discuss your policy options.