3 Benefits of Working With an Independent Insurance Agent

When shopping for good, quality insurance, whether it's life, health, auto, homeowners, business or some type of specialty coverage, consumers face the initial decision as to what type of agent they choose to use – direct writers or independent agents.   

    

Direct insurance writers are agents who work for a single insurer, offering only their companies' specific insurance products. Independent insurance agents are those representing an array of insurance companies and, as a result, they're beholden to no one, single provider.

When Buying Direct Isn't Necessarily Less Expensive

Ordinarily, you might think buying direct and bypassing any middleman (agent) would save you some money. When buying insurance, though, it's usually the independent insurance agents that have the best deals and can offer you the best prices.

In addition to the ability to often obtain better rates on your coverage, working with an independent insurance agent can provide you with several other benefits you may want to consider.

• Independent insurance agents work for their clients, not for a single carrier as do direct-writing insurance company representatives. As a client, your independent agent is your legal representative to the insurers with whom you take out coverage. They simply work to fulfill your specific needs as the insured.
• Since independent insurance agents rarely write only one or two types of coverage, your agent can bring you one-stop-shopping for a wide range of insurance products such as homeowners, auto, life, health and more. In addition to offering many various types of insurance, your independent agent has access to dozens (or maybe hundreds) of companies whose policies he or she can write. A qualified and competent independent agent can become a long-term advisor as your insurance needs change throughout your lifetime.
• An independent agent is licensed, insured and regulated to only act on your best behalf, as is his or her fiduciary responsibility. Just as medical doctors are insured against malpractice liability, independent insurance agents are insured against insurance sales malpractice. This gives you added protection that direct writers may not provide.

When choosing an independent insurance agent, select someone that provides dedicated, personalized service and who has access to the very best insurance providers in the industry. A good independent agent should be able to get you better coverage than you could find yourself and save you both time and effort while doing it.