Many auto insurance companies today don’t sell their policies through agents but directly from the company 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 excellent 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 more about coverage and policy limits. They can share with you a wealth of knowledge that will ensure you get the right policy, the best rate, and a good understanding of what you are paying for. An agent will help you select the best 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 genuinely 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 insurance company’s adjuster or other involved parties. Because your agent knows all about the policy and how the claims process works, they can better 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 that 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 can’t provide that level of personal attention.
Are Agents More Expensive?
Generally, an insurance policy purchased through an agent will cost more than one bought directly. That isn’t necessarily true. The best rate for you may be one from an agency, so don’t discount quotes from agents when shopping for car insurance. You might get the best rate and the service an agent can provide.
You might not feel that you need an agent for your auto insurance, but there are certainly some excellent 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 daunting, but you can often take steps 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 the minimum insurance you must carry, so your first goal is to meet this minimum requirement. From there, you can 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 an accident, and $100,000 in property damage liability.
When considering your insurance coverage, you should also consider other factors like how good of a driver you are and how far you have to drive for your daily commute. Once you have a general idea of what insurance will be the most important in your following policy, review your current policy to see how much you are paying and how much coverage you are already receiving.
Also, look at your driving record – if tickets you received are about to disappear from your driving record, wait a little longer to get a quote, as this will affect your insurance quotes. Look around when getting quotes; many websites offer free online quotes. To complete this task, you should have your current insurance policy, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration. Once you have gathered this information, you can compare your potential annual and monthly rates.
Call the companies as well, work out 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, review all the details before you sign, including what parts will be available 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 your new auto policy, you must cancel your old coverage. Remember to carry proof of your car insurance in your wallet or glove compartment, and you are good to go!
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