At a party, I dropped into a conversation where a neighbor was enthusiastically praising someone for “being reliable, caring, patient, understanding, smart, and a great advocate.” Wow, impressive! I had to ask, “This is one interesting and involved friend who is ready to go above and beyond! Who is this friend?” My neighbor laughed and replied, “This isn’t just my friend, he’s my independent insurance agent! He’s amazing!”
This comment quickly got the group to remark how lucky the neighbor is to have such an insurance agent on his side. The majority of the group couldn’t describe their agent with those words, as most didn’t even have one particular agent who takes care of them.
This left the group asking:
“Should I Use an Independent Insurance Agent?”
The answer is a resounding YES for these reasons:
One agency, A Multitude of Partners.
An independent insurance agent is able to quote you coverage from multiple agencies. Often times, independent agents have access to insurance companies that aren’t even on your radar. For example, we see the Travelers insurance and Geico ads on TV, but how about Grange and Safeco? These are just two of available insurance companies that prefer to spend money on their clients and not on advertising. Many times their products even outperform advertised companies. If you were doing your own research and asking for direct quotes, you would most likely miss these two options.
Simplify Your Life – One Stop Shop.
An independent insurance agent is able to provide you with coverage for all your needs. You can have your personal insurance (auto, homeowners, renters, dwelling, flood, mobile home, umbrella, watercraft, wedding) in the same place as your life and health, and if you own a business, in the same place as your commercial insurance (agribusiness, auto, aviation, bond, builder’s risk, business owners, inland marine, professional liability, property, umbrella, and worker’s compensation.)
Your independent insurance agent is fluent in all of these different policy products as he deals with them on a daily basis. Thus, he is able to explain the policies in an easy to understand manner, and is able to answer your particular questions in a simple manner.
Customer service is number one!
An independent insurance agent develops a relationship with you and your family. He is able to give you personalized attention. When you call the office, it is your agent on the other end of the phone. And if you need to speak with your agent face to face, often the independent insurance agent has an easily accessible office in your neighborhood.
Personal adviser and advocate.
By knowing your family, the agent comes to know your family’s needs. Thus the agent is able to advise you on your coverage needs. This working relationship ensures that your family is fully covered without any gaps.
The independent insurance agent is also your advocate. He speaks to the insurance company on your behalf and makes sure your interests are protected in the case of a claim. If you purchase a policy directly from a broker, you lose this added benefit.
The independent insurance agent is a faithful friend who is present with you on your journey of life. He makes sure you are covered for life’s many changes.