Why should you acquire insurance through an independent agent instead of through a captive insurance agent or by yourself through the internet? This article will explain the advantages of having an independent agent including Service, Value, Flexibility, Value, Ease, and Help with Claims.
What is an independent agent versus a captive agent?
A captive agent works specifically for one insurance carrier (e.g. State Farm), while an independent agent is licensed with multiple insurance carriers.
Value & Flexibility
When you acquire insurance through an independent agent, many times you will be getting the best prices available, and sometimes not. However, you will generally be getting the best value for your dollar. An independent agent is able to get multiple quotes from competing insurance carriers to find you the best policy. A captive agent can only offer you what their one carrier has to offer. Even if that one carrier is offering you a good deal today, they might not be the best carrier for you in the future if their rates and coverages change. With an independent agent, you can check your options before the policy renewal date if you are not satisfied with your current carrier or policy.
Advice
The average consumer doesn’t know how much coverage they actually need for their home, auto, health, or business. A good independent insurance agent will get to know you and your business to accurately assess how much coverage you’ll need. They won’t oversell you coverage you don’t need or let you take on excessive risk that could leave you bankrupt (such as state minimum car insurance policies that won’t adequately cover expensive medical bills). You’ll get exactly the right policy to fit your needs and your budget. An insurance agent will keep up to date with the latest changes to better estimate the coverage you require (for example, many replacement costs have skyrocketed since the pandemic started and that needs to be accounted for in your policies). At the end of the day, it’s up to you to make the decision what insurance policy if right for you. But a good independent insurance agent will offer you the advice and options to make the best decision and make the whole process easy.
Convenience
A “full service” insurance agency (like A and H Insurance) can meet all the needs of your business and your employees, as well as you and your family. Many captive agencies focus narrowly on auto or business insurance, or simply do not have access to the full range of insurance products. An independent, full-service agency can handle your home, auto, health, life and more, all under one roof, even if your policies are purchased through multiple carriers.
Service
When you buy cheap insurance off the internet, service may be virtually nonexistent. An independent agent will be there for you if you have a question, need to make a claim, need to change your existing coverage, add new coverage, or shop your policy with other carriers at renewal. With an independent agent, you’re getting much more than just a policy, you’re getting a partner in the industry.
Help With Claims
When you have a claim, you’ll be glad to have an independent agent in your corner. The independent agent doesn’t work for any one carrier, so they’re not bound by strict rules and processes that captive agents may have to follow. When it comes to claims, you are their client, so they are on YOUR SIDE.
You’re able to submit your claims direct to the insurance carrier, but the easier and better route would be to call your independent insurance agent first. The agent will submit all the claim paperwork for you and offer you advice to get the most out of your claims. For example, if you got in a minor fender bender and have a high deductible, the claim might not be worth making since you won’t be reimbursed and your rates will increase because of the claim. Or it might be worth making a claim if you had another accident to meet your deductible. Why deal with the headache of an insurance carrier when you don’t have to? Keep in mind, A and H Insurance and our agents are not licensed claim adjusters, so we cannot tell you what to do or exactly predict what the insurance carrier will pay you, but we can offer you our advice.
Ready to see the difference of working with an experienced and trustworthy independent insurance agent? Request a quote (on the right side of the page or below this article if you’re on a mobile device), give us a call at (775) 829-2600, or stop into one of our A and H Insurance offices today!
