Many auto insurance companies today don’t sell their policies through agents, but directly from the company either online or over the phone. It might seem that having an agent to help you purchase auto insurance is a thing of the past, but don’t discount the auto insurance agent just yet. There are some very good reasons to consider using an insurance agent for your auto policy purchase.
Agents Know Their Products
Many of the customer service representatives who handle the phones at large insurance companies know the basics of auto insurance policies, enough to help you select and purchase one. But insurance agents, especially those who have been around for a while, understand a lot more about coverage and policy limits. They can share with you a wealth of knowledge that will ensure you not only get the right policy, but the best rate and a good understanding of what you are paying for. An agent will help you select the best possible coverage limits to fit your needs.
Agents Are On Your Side
If the day comes when you need to file a claim, it’s always good to have someone who is truly on your side. Especially in a complicated claim, your agent can walk you through the process and be there to answer all your questions. An agent is also there to step in when there are disagreements with the adjuster or other involved parties at the insurance company. Because your agent knows all about the policy and how the claims process works, they will better be able to negotiate and discuss claims issues with your adjuster.
Agents Keep Your Policy Accurate
A good agent will take the time to review your policy regularly and make sure that everything is accurate and you are still carrying the coverage you need. An agent knows when changes in your life might affect your insurance coverage needs, such as a marriage or a child reaching driving age. Large insurance companies simply can’t provide that level of personal attention.
Are Agents More Expensive?
There is a general view that an insurance policy purchased through an agent will cost more than one purchased directly. That isn’t necessarily true. The best rate for you may well be one from an agency, so don’t discount quotes from agents when you are shopping for car insurance. You might get the best rate along with the service an agent can provide.
You might not feel that you need an agent for your auto insurance, but there are certainly some very good reasons to take the time to meet with a few and see if it turns out to be right for you.
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Buying car insurance can seem like a daunting task, but there are often steps you can take to make it a little easier. First, decide what kind of insurance coverage you are going to need.
There are different variations from state to state on minimum insurance you have to carry, so obviously your first goal is to meet this minimum requirement. From there, you can pick and choose what kind of coverage you need. If you have a lot of assets, liability insurance is a must.
Bodily injury liability insurance is also important, as medical bills can be expensive. General recommendations for insurance state that you should get at least $250,000 in bodily injury liability for one person injured in an accident, $500,000 for all people injured in accident, and $100,000 property damage liability.
You should also take into consideration other factors like how good of a driver you are, and how far you have to drive for your daily commute when considering your insurance coverage. Once you have a general idea of what insurance will be the most important in your next policy, review your current policy in order to see how much you are paying and how much coverage you are already receiving.
Also look at your driving record – if tickets you have earned are about to disappear from the record, wait a little longer to get a quote, as this will have an effect on your insurance quotes. Look around when getting quotes as well – there are many different websites that will allow you to get free online quotes. You should have on hand your current insurance policy, drivers license number and vehicle registration in order to complete this task. Once you have gathered this information you will be able to compare your potential annual and monthly rates.
Call the companies as well, work your options and try to see if there are any discounts you might be able to receive – often if you are a driver with few tickets there are “good driving discounts” you can receive, and young drivers have the opportunity to use their higher grade-point averages as a discount on their insurance. Once you have selected a policy, make sure to review all of the details before you actually sign, including what sort of parts will be available to you when your car has been in an accident and how long it will take the company to pay for such damages.
Finally, once you have secured the new auto policy you want, it is important to cancel your old coverage. Make sure to carry proof of your car insurance with you in either your wallet or glove compartment, and you are good to go!
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