Looking to save on insurance while still getting great coverage?
Local independent insurance agents can help!
Maybe you’re starting a new business. Or perhaps you’re just curious about whether you’re overspending on your premiums. Getting a rate comparison is a great way to research your insurance options and get a policy that’s right for you.
But you have a choice: use up next week’s lunch breaks calling every insurance company you can or working with an independent insurance agent.
If you’ve never worked with a local independent insurance agent before, you might be a bit confused. After all, why contact a person when you can get coverage with a simple click of the mouse?
As it turns out, there are a lot of great reasons to use an independent agency!
What Is the Purpose Of an Insurance Agent?
In the simplest terms, an insurance agent sells policies and coverage to interested consumers. But to think of your local independent agent as an “insurance salesman” would be selling them short.
There’s an incredible depth of knowledge involved in matching you with the right life, auto, home, and business policy!
There are two different types of insurance agents: captive and independent.
Captive agents can only sell policies from a single insurance company. One agency might be a State Farm agency. Another might be an Allstate agency. But one thing an Allstate agent can’t do is sell you a non-Allstate policy.
What do independent insurance agents do?
Unlike captive agents, independent agencies work with a variety of insurance companies. As a result, you get multiple quotes for a number of insurance options that fit your needs.
Benefits of an Independent Insurance Agent
If you’ve never considered using an independent insurance agent, you might be shocked at everything your local agency can do for you.
Not only are they completely free (yep!), here are five reasons why local independent insurance agents are better than buying your policies online.
1. They’re Locally Focused
It can be difficult for national insurance companies to focus on your local area when they have about a million other ones to look out for.
Local independent insurance agents, on the other hand, are familiar with your neighborhood. They know that your beach storefront needs higher flood coverage or that your dental office needs a certain level of malpractice insurance.
Local agencies are also more involved in your community. (Our insurance agency participates in the Make-a-Wish Walk for Wishes each year and uses our referral program to benefit local charities.) Who says you can’t manage risk while giving back?
2. More Coverage Options
This might be news to you, but no single insurance company can lay claim to being “the cheapest.”
Why?
Because your life, car, home, or business insurance premium is based on a number of different factors : your age, marital status, address, business type, and many others.
So how do you know which insurance company will give you the best rates? You get quotes from several different companies. But who has that kind of time?
Local independent insurance agents do!
You can turn dozens of calls into just one by giving your info and coverage needs to your agent. They’ll do the work for you and come back with the best quotes for you to choose from.
You’ll be getting the exact coverage you need at the most competitive price.
3. They’re Your Advocate
Your independent insurance agent is called “independent” because they work with many different insurance companies, but they work for you.
If your lifestyle and insurance needs mean that State Farm or Nationwide is not the best option for you, they’ll recommend another company. If your insurance company drops you because your roof is too old, they can find a different company before you’re even aware that there’s a problem.
They also have access to insurance companies that you may never even heard of. Auto-Owners, for example, is only available through a local independent insurance agent.
Basically, independent insurance agents like us aren’t looking out for the insurance company’s bottom line; we’re looking out for your interests.
4. They Give Expert Advice
Independent insurance agents live, think, and breathe insurance, so they’re able to explain any complicated policies or rate changes in a way you can understand. Plus, they’re familiar with lots of different insurance companies, so they are used to how each one works.
If you’re having issues contacting the insurance company to file a claim, you can speak to your independent insurance agent for advice. (And you won’t have to sit on hold for 45 minutes, either.)
Finally, they’ll make sure you steer clear of all the insurance myths floating around out there.
5. They Know You
Local independent insurance agents are a trusted choice for many households because they can custom-fit your insurance coverage to your unique needs.
They know your kids’ names, what’s featured on your restaurant’s menu, and why you need worker’s comp insurance even if you don’t have any employees. As your business’ or family’s needs change, they’re able to stay one step ahead and make suggestions that will benefit you.
Being able to whittle down your insurance needs to hit that perfect balance of “not too much, not too little,” means you’ll only be paying for the coverage you need.
Having an insurance agent that knows you also means getting answers to basic questions easier. Drop in, call, or shoot us an email. (Try that with the corporate office and see how far you get.)
Local Independent Insurance Agents: The Smart Choice
Rather than calling around for hours to get your insurance quote—or, worse yet, not comparing quotes at all—call a local independent insurance agent. You’ll get expert, unbiased advice from someone who knows you and wants to see you and your business succeed.
At Harry Levine Insurance, we always keep our customers first and foremost. It’s how we’ve always done business. We keep ourselves up-to-date with everything insurance-related (seriously, you should see how often we travel for work!).
If you’re looking for an insurance rate comparison for your personal or business needs, we’d love to help out.
Comments (13)
Henry Killingsworth
December 12, 2023I like how you mentioned that local insurance agents can custom-fit your insurance coverage to your unique needs. It seems like an insurance agent who has never met you and your family will never know exactly what you need. It seems like an agent who is local and knows you personally will always be a good option if you are a homeowner.
Jason
December 18, 2023So how do you make any money if it’s free and you don’t work for the insurance companies?
Julie Levine
December 19, 2023Hello and thank you for a fantastic question! In fact, your question gives me an opportunity to address something that is often misunderstood. It can make sense to believe that working with an agent increases the cost of insurance. It then is logical to believe that buying insurance directly from an insurance company is then less expensive. Every carrier – those that use independent agents and those that do not – has acquisition costs. There was a key word in the last sentence; independent. To buy insurance you must speak with a licensed agent in most states and situations. Whether those agents are direct insurance company employees (think the 1-800 phone call “direct” to the carrier) or a contracted sales force (Independent Insurance Agents), they are still human beings doing the exact same thing and earning a living. In short, Independent Insurance Agents are licensed sales professionals who contract with multiple insurance companies to provide you with a broad range of choices when you ask them to shop on your behalf. Direct insurance company sales professionals are tied to a single company and usually cannot offer many choices. That acquisition cost (advertising, paying the sales agent, etc.) is built into the rates. It’s about 50/50 when it comes to who is less expensive: a direct operation or shopping carriers that use independent agents. Many carriers do not want to have to hire, train, manage, and be responsible the thousands of people they’d need to sell for them. In fact, doing so would probably increase their cost and thus your premium. They contract with Independent Insurance Agents – like us! – to handle the sales process for them. The best part of using an Independent Insurance Agent is that we can serve as a single point of contact for you, and we can scour the market often returning many options. Going direct means taking the time to go one by one on your own.
Hope that makes sense! Thanks again!
Jason Levine, MS, CPCU
President & CEO
Harry Levine Insurance
Thomas Clarence
December 11, 2023It was informative when you explained that insurance agents can answer basic questions. Would it be a good idea to ask your insurance agent if you can text them your questions? Being able to text your insurance agent questions seems like it would be a lot easier than calling them all the time.
Lily Bridgers
November 29, 2023Your suggestion to connect with an independent insurance agent that provides additional alternatives for coverage was really helpful. I will share your suggestions with my sister in order to assist her in locating the most affordable auto insurance plan. I appreciate your advice on local insurance agents and the advantages of doing business with them.
Lily Bridgers
November 11, 2023With the family farm expanding, my parents have decided it’s high time to get serious about protecting those crops. Now, they’re diving into the world of insurance plans for crops, making sure our livelihood is safeguarded from unpredictable weather and other agricultural hurdles.
They need to know that independent insurance brokers look out for your interests rather than the financial success of the insurance business.
Elle Jones
October 6, 2023Working with an independent insurance agent that provides more coverage possibilities, as you said, is something I prefer. I’ll pass along your suggestions to my sister, who wants to locate a vehicle insurance plan that is affordable and will provide the precise coverage she needs. I appreciate the advice on regional insurance brokers and the benefits of using one.
Eli Richardson
March 25, 2023It really helped when you talked about working with an independent insurance agent that offers more coverage options. My sister wants to find a cost-effective insurance plan for her car, so I’ll share your advice to help her find the exact coverage she needs. Thank you for the tips on local insurance agents and the perks of working with one.
Auto Insurance Warwick NY
November 21, 2022An independent insurance agent may be a better choice instead of going with a large agency. Thanks for sharing!
Jason Levine
February 25, 2021Charlie, give us a call as we don’t have your phone number. Thanks!
Jason Levine
Charles
February 23, 2021We are in need of a Wind Mitigation Inspection for our insurance. Please call to further discuss. Thank you
Charlie Hawes
Thomas Peterson
August 7, 2019You made a good point that a local insurance agent will be able to get your insurance needs to fit you perfectly. I have been in need of new insurance coverage as my job doesn’t offer all the benefits I need. Maybe a local insurance agent will be perfect for getting the coverage I need.
Jason Levine
August 7, 2019Hi Thomas,
Yes, A local specialist is definitely the way to go! You’ll have access to leading national markets but an advocate who knows you and the surrounding area. What type of benefits are you looking for?
Thanks!