At Quincy Mutual Group, we believe “to insure is human”, and when you need an insurance policy, you’re really seeking protection for what matters most. Whether it’s for a business you’ve built from the ground up, a house that you’ve made a home, or even a valuable piece of art that has been passed down through generations of your family, we understand how important these policies can be.
Today, there are endless coverage options available at your fingertips. Though it may be tempting to sign up for an insurance policy online, there are a number of disadvantages to this approach over working with a local, independent insurance agent. If you’re shopping around for a new policy or just want to explore your options, here are just a few of the reasons to consider insuring with a local agent.
Personalized service
You’re not just a number to an independent insurance agent. They take the time to get to know you and your needs to help you find the best coverage. Over time, they’ll become more familiar with you, your family, your business, and can anticipate changes you may need to make to your policy and can update you on new opportunities for coverage or reduced rates. Lee Gaudette of Gaudette Insurance, one of our independent agent partners, says it best, “The main advantage of working with an independent insurance agency is that your agent is on your side. The agent’s first allegiance is to your interests. In every other method of buying insurance, such as going direct, every person you interact with owes their first allegiance to the insurance company. In addition, independent agents represent multiple insurance carriers and are best able to match your particular needs to the products of different insurers which results in the best combination of coverage and cost.”
Choice of insurers
As Lee Gaudette quoted above, working with multiple carriers is a tremendous bonus when you work with an independent agent. Your agent can obtain quotes from more than one source, ultimately helping find the best rate available for your needs. Insurance isn’t a one-size-fits-all product and what makes sense for one customer may not be the right fit for another. An independent agent will compare policies and give you unbiased advice on which one is best for you.
They’re industry experts
One of the biggest advantages of working with a local independent agent is that they’re licensed experts in insurance. Not only do many of these agencies have a longstanding history, but they are legally obligated to act in your best interest. Insurance can be a complex topic, especially when it comes to understanding all the terms, and your agent will be able to explain your coverage in a way that makes sense to you. They have made a career out of assessing risk and finding appropriate policies to manage it — let them be the ones to help you protect yourself and your business.
Claims assistance
If you need to file an insurance claim, you’re probably already having a bad day, but an independent agent can help alleviate some of the stress after a loss or an accident. You can report it immediately to your agent who will then notify the insurer. They will personally walk you through the claims process and advocate for you should you need support. They’re familiar with you and with the claims process, so the customer service you receive from a local agent is far superior to any support you would receive online. On customer service, Gregory Fitzgerald of one of our agent partners, Lore Insurance, says, “while Lore Insurance focuses on our client’s insurance needs, we are dedicated to offering excellent customer service from claims assistance to offering multiple insurance premium financing options to fit each client’s needs.”
They’re local
When you call your local agent and they say they’re right down the road, they mean it. They live and work in the same geographic area as you. If there’s a snowstorm coming or water main break near your home, they’ll know and are able to better assist you in the event you need to file a claim or have questions about your coverage. Additionally, they can help you identify risks that might affect the type of policy you need, for example, if your home is located in a flood zone.
They’re with you for all life’s changes
Even when your insurance changes, your agent doesn’t have to. Because they work with a number of carriers, you don’t need to worry about finding a new agency when your coverage needs change. For example, if you already have auto insurance with your local agent and you buy a home, the same agent can help you find a home owner’s policy. You can carry the relationship you’ve already built with them throughout your life.
We’re proud to partner with more than 500 local, independent agents who are dedicated to helping you find a policy tailored to your needs and happy to help you review your policy. Visit our website to find one today. https://www.quincymutual.com/find-agent.htm