Advertising for all types of insurance is everywhere. You can’t watch TV or listen to a podcast without seeing or hearing an ad for auto insurance or Medicare insurance or even life insurance. A lot of those ads tell you to call a 1-800 number or go to a website to get a quote or to purchase a policy. There’s no mention of a local agent to help you make a purchase or provide you service after you buy, because the insurance company has cut the agent out of the equation. That can mean bigger profits for the insurance company, but it can be a big mistake for you.
Here are 3 Reasons You Need a Local Agent:
- You’re Not An Insurance Expert – Unless you work in the insurance industry, you’re probably not an insurance expert. You aren’t well-versed in all the terminology and how policies are constructed. You need someone to help you assess your real needs/risks, and advise you on your options. When you enroll online or over the phone with some call center employee, you don’t get that kind of assistance.
- You Need Service – When you don’t have a local agent, you have to deal with the insurance carrier directly and alone if you have a claim or some other issue. A local agent provides you with an insider who can help you navigate those tricky situations.
- Good Advice – A local insurance agent is a trusted advisor. He or she can help you assist your situation. They can visit a property to assess value and risk. They can help you decide if it’s worth your while to file a claim. They can answer tricky health insurance questions about deductibles and co-pays. They can look you in the eye and give you peace of mind, which is ultimately what insurance is really about.
No one agent does all types of insurance (at least not effectively) so you may need to work with more than one person, but that’s okay. Don’t be misled into thinking that you should go it alone. There’s simply too much on the line not to have a professional on your side to help you protect the things that are of greatest value to you.