As you mature into adulthood, your life is more complex than it was when you were buying insurance in your 20s. Back in the salad days, it was just you, your apartment and your car. Things were a lot simpler than they are now. After all, you have your partner, your kids and your house. Add a dog, a car for your teenager, a trampoline in the backyard, a boat and a snowmobile. Maybe you even have a cabin.
You’ve built something great. If you haven’t upgraded your approach to shopping for insurance since your 20s — choose the lower bidder — it’s time for a change. If you choose insurance for your home, your cars and everything based solely on price, you’re at greater risk of learning the hard way the price for cheap coverage is too high.
You may think you’re covered. But when it’s time to file a claim, all too often, homeowners are often disappointed when they realize their insurance won’t cover all the expenses, or worse, restrictions in the fine print results in a denied claim.
How do you know if your insurance is adequate? Visit an independent insurance agent in your hometown and ask for an estimate. It’s free. Often, it’s eye-opening to learn how much more you can get for the same price — or in some cases, less. For many families, independent insurance agents are an untapped resource for saving money and protecting what you worked for.
An independent insurance agent works with multiple insurance companies to offer an entire suite of insurance products to meet your needs. They’re not contracted to work with one single company, but instead secure coverage from other insurance companies. Then, when you file a claim, the insurance company honors the contract your agent set up.
This differs from captive insurance agents, also known as exclusive insurance agents, who are contracted to work for a single insurance company and can only sell that company’s policies.
What are the benefits of choosing coverage from an independent agent?
Think of independent agents as savvy specialists with industry connections. Independent insurance agents have the freedom to shop around and find the best coverage at the best rates for you, your home and your life. They can compare multiple policies and prices, side by side, and put together a package that meets all your insurance needs. Their customers are often delighted to find they can get better insurance, better coverage that takes care of the extras in their lives, but without the extra prices.
Consider what happens when you file a claim. Who’s more likely to push for a fair settlement on your behalf? The agent at the big-name insurance company? Or your local hometown independent agent? Independent agents work on your behalf. That means you’ll have someone in your corner with the professional training and expertise to help you follow the claims process, and advocate for you when you need it.
Your standard big-name insurance company agent operates from one lane. If their competitor offers lower rates, fewer restrictions, and better coverage, they’re not going to tell you.
Because independent agents work with multiple insurance companies, they’ll match you with the best coverage out there at the best prices. Also, because they’re savvy enough to interpret the fine print, you get the coverage you expect.
Now that you know the upsides of working with an independent insurance agent, set up a meeting with one of our helpful agents on the insurance team at Minnwest Insurance Agency. We’re located in hometowns throughout Minnesota and southeastern South Dakota. We help you compare rates from numerous insurance companies, so you can get the best value for yourself and your whole family.
Call or meet with an independent insurance agent at Minnwest Bank today!
Minnwest Insurance Agency, Inc is an affiliate of Minnwest Bank. Products offered through Minnwest Insurance Agency, Inc are: Not a deposit | Not FDIC insured | Not insured by any federal government agency | Not guaranteed by the bank or an affiliate of the bank | May go down in value (if applicable)