Okay, you’ve just bought a car and you need to insure it, right? Now all you’ve got to do is find an insurance agent you can get your insurance from. The only problem is, there are so many insurance agents out there, how can you know which one is the right one to buy your insurance from?
Working with your existing agent
If you already have a car insurance policy, the most cost effective option is to add this car to your existing policy. Even if you don’t currently have car insurance, but have other types of insurance (health, life, homeowners) it would be a good idea to talk to your existing insurance agent. Most insurance companies offer various types of insurance and also offer discounts to clients who have more than one type of insurance with their company. So, by having your homeowner and auto insurance with the same insurance company, you might save 10% to 20% over having them with different companies.
Finding a new insurance agent
If you don’t have an existing insurance agent, what you want to find is one with a good reputation. Any insurance agent can write an insurance policy, but when you really need their help is when you have a problem, and need that agent’s help to resolve it. You can find an agent with a good reputation by asking friends, and checking with the Better Business Bureau in your community.
While many people go to an agent for one of the major insurance companies, there are real advantages of using an independent insurance agent. The primary advantage is that they usually represent various companies, and can give you a comparison quote from all of them. Otherwise, you have to contact several agents to get your own comparison quotes.
Many independent insurance agents are members of the “Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America” which acts as a governing body and verifies the business practices of their agents; protecting you, the consumer.