Why Buy from an Independent Agent?
Imagine it’s happened again… your car engine starts making a funny noise and that dreaded “Check Engine” light comes on. If you’re like me, you begin the search for a good auto mechanic who can quickly and affordably get you back on the road. Now, for the sake of this illustration, let’s say you do the necessary Googling and you find two local mechanics who are ready and willing to help:
- Option 1 is Dan. Dan is knowledgeable and experienced. However, in Dan’s repair shop there is exactly one toolbox containing exactly one tool…a ½” open-end wrench.
- Option 2 is Jack. Jack is also knowledgeable and experienced. And in Jack’s shop, there are dozens of toolboxes…each one full of various tools of all shapes and sizes.
Which one do you choose? Which of these two options is most likely to provide what you need? For me, the choice is easy. No offense to Dan, but I’m taking my car to Jack’s shop. Dan may be able to assess and diagnose the problem, but the chances that his ½” wrench will be the tool needed to get the job done are slim to none. Jack, on the other hand, can diagnose the problem and then search his arsenal of tools to find that just right one needed to get me tuned up and cruising again.
So now let’s imagine your car is back in tip-top shape and it’s time to get that auto insurance policy you’ve been needing. Once again, you turn to Google and do the necessary searching. You find two local insurance agents who are ready and willing to help:
- Option 1 is Bill. Bill has been an insurance agent for years and is very knowledgeable. However, Bill’s insurance agency only offers policies from one insurance company. Bill is what we call a “captive agent”.
- Option 2 is Steve. Steve has also been an insurance agent for years and is very knowledgeable. And Steve’s agency offers policies from multiple insurance companies. Steve is an “independent agent”.
Which one do you choose? Which of these two options is most likely to provide what you need? Once again, the choice should be easy. Bill may be a great insurance agent, but the chances that his limited offerings can be tailored to my situation are slim. His captive/exclusive relationship with one insurance company greatly reduces the number of tools in his toolbox. But as an independent insurance agent, Steve can provide options from dozens of highly-rated insurance companies all competing to earn my business. In other words, Steve has multiple toolboxes all full of tools! Just like with the mechanics, the insurance agent with more tools is far more likely to find that just right one needed to suit my situation.
The moral of the story… When the time comes to shop for insurance services, find an experienced, knowledgeable agent who has toolboxes full of tools. Find an independent insurance agency in your area. And if your area happens to be anywhere near us, iProtect Insurance & Financial Services would love to help you.