How to Find an Independent Insurance Agent and Why They Matter

An independent insurance agent is a licensed professional who works with multiple insurance companies to find the best coverage and price for their clients. Unlike captive agents, who are employed by one insurance company and can generally only sell their products, independent agents have the freedom and flexibility to compare different options and tailor a policy that suits your needs and budget.

There are many benefits of working with an independent insurance agent, such as:

• They can save you time and money by shopping for competitive premiums among various insurers.
• They can offer you more choices and options, as they may have access to a wider range of products and services.
• They can provide you with independent advice, as they’re not tied to any specific company or product.
• They can advocate for you in case of a claim or a dispute, as they work for you and not for the insurance company.
• They can build a long-term relationship with you and review your coverage periodically to ensure that it meets your changing needs.

Knowing information about the insurance industry will help you pick the right agent:

• Insurance agents have different specialties and experiences. Some may focus on businesses that need auto insurance for a large fleet of trucks or general liability insurance for multiple office buildings. Some agents focus mainly on health insurance or life insurance. While an agent may hold a single insurance license that allows them to recommend myriad different insurance products, it doesn’t mean they’re experienced in all products. Pick an agent that specializes in your specific area of need.
• Read reviews online about customer service. An insurance agent may provide great service upfront when you’re thinking about buying a policy, but when you need to make changes to the policy or file a claim, you’ll need them to come through for you. Reading customer reviews online may help understand their service model.
• Agents are often required to maintain a certain amount of business with a specific insurance carrier to be allowed to work with them. For example, an independent agent may have 10 different insurance carriers they can compare for you. However, another independent agent may only have 8 if they don’t complete enough business with certain carriers. In other words, an insurance carrier can end a relationship with an independent agent if the agent isn’t selling enough of that carrier’s insurance. In general, the more carriers an agent has available for you, the more competitive your policy options may be.
• Agents must have state-specific licenses. If you live in one state, but own property in another, ask your agent if they’re able to write insurance policies in that state. Agents are allowed to hold licenses in multiple states.

If you don’t know an independent insurance agent, we can help you connect with one. Click here to request an agent based on your needs.