For many of us, choosing how to buy insurance is not at the top of our priority lists. Like paying taxes and renewing your driver’s license, choosing how we buy the insurance we need is just something most of us are obligated to accomplish. However, there is real piece of mind to be gained in this important decision.
It is important to make the most informed decision possible. Choosing an independent insurance agent, who lives and works in your community and will get to know you and your family, over a faceless entity on the other end of a telephone conversation, is the best decision you can make regarding insurance. Here’s why:
Direct Agents, Captive Agents, and Independent Agents
- Direct agents are employed by a single insurance carrier and only sell insurance products from that carrier. It’s not likely that you will be able to meet with a direct agent face-to-face as they typically work via telephone or internet.
- Captive agents are similar to direct agents in the sense that they represent a single insurance carrier. Representing only one company, a captive agent will not be able to shop around for the best pricing and coverage options for your specific needs.
- Independent insurance agents are typically successful small business owners that work and live in your community. An independent agency generally represents eight or more insurance carriers and therefore has a deep pool of resources from which to select the optimal coverage at the lowest possible rate for each of its clients.
Independent Agents and the Community
An independent insurance agent will likely reside in the same town, city, or greater metropolitan area that you call home. A local independent agent may drive the same streets as you, send their children to the same schools, and shop at the same grocery store as your family. He or she may even be your neighbor. The point is – your independent agent is a member of the community and cares about its local businesses and residents.
Independent Agency vs. National Agency
Local independent agents offer the same policies and coverage as the national insurance agencies. However, with many different insurance companies to select from, your independent agent is better suited to tailor coverage to your specific needs by drawing from multiple resources. The types of coverage independent insurance agents can provide include but are not limited to:
With additional resources come additional options. An independent insurance agency will be able to offer you a wider selection of insurance options because of the wider selection of resources it has at its disposal.
An independent insurance agent’s survival in business depends on attentiveness to your needs, ensuring that you are purchasing the best protection for the best value. Not only will independent agents find the right coverage for your needs at the time you purchase the policy, but they will also take the time to regularly review your coverage to ensure that it still meets your needs and to determine whether you qualify for any new insurance discounts. Having someone like this, a friend in the community, who is in your corner working for you and your family, will provide you with piece of mind, allowing you to spend more time living your life and less time worrying about insurance.
At Knapton, Reade & Woods, our job as independent insurance agents is to find you the best coverage at the most competitive rates. We have been a part of Hillsborough, NH community for more than 60 years. Call us today at 603-464-3422 to find out what we can do for you, or click here to submit our online quote form to get a free insurance quote. For additional insurance resources and valuable tips, please read our blog, or visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+.
