Have you ever purchased home or auto insurance online or by calling a 1-800 number? The self-service option certainly seems convenient and simple, right? Why work with an agent when you can choose the cheapest insurance policy from a menu? After all, how much difference can there really be between one policy and another? We have several conversations a month with people who find
out in varying degrees of the “hard way” that buying insurance without the guidance of a local agent was not their best life decision. There’s a lot more to choosing an insurance plan than checking a few boxes to find the lowest premium. A reputable insurance agent helps you identify the policies that cover your real needs, which is far more cost efficient than shopping on price alone.
Insurance Agents Consider the Big Picture
Several questions go unasked when you’re entering information into a national insurance provider’s online form. These mass market solutions offer general plans without much evaluation. Until you need to file a claim, you may never realize whether or not you’re sufficiently protected. But if you do have a claim, it’s too late to find out that those low premiums left you without enough coverage. A local, experienced insurance agent should do a realistic assessment of your actual circumstances, budget, and priorities. We ask the detailed questions that self-service providers don’t because it helps us get the full picture of what kind of policy will be most beneficial. We illustrate examples regarding high or low deductibles, umbrella policies, or uninsured motorist coverage. Local agents are especially good at putting things into the context of where you live, work, and drive. Insurance agents are also keenly aware that their clients experience life changes on a pretty regular basis. You won’t get a personal call from that online company to make sure your policy is still a good fit. But you will hear from your local agent. During a renewal conversation, local agents will review your current policies in light of your updated information. You may need more, less, or different coverage. They might uncover discounts or better rates that are newly available. Or if rates are going up, they can explain why. Agents look into it to make sure you’re always getting the best
coverage at the right price.
Insurance Agents Provide Valuable Support
Whether you are plugging your information into a big database to receive a list of insurance options, or you’re handing over your data to multiple providers to shop the best rate, you have to evaluate all the results on your own. When working with an agent, you provide all the same details, but then they handle the shopping, evaluation, and paperwork. When they return with your options, the list is narrowed down to only the policies that fit your needs. Perhaps one of most crucial times to have the support of an agent is when something happens that qualifies as a claim. A local agent is
typically far more helpful than the customer service representative or chatbot at the national company. For example, sometimes it makes more sense to pay out of pocket for an issue than file a claim. We recently helped a homeowner whose policy was canceled because they filed two small claims, and no one explained the potential consequences. We review the situation with clients to make sure
they are fully informed before they move forward. When a claim is necessary, your agent acts as an advocate. They often have more success getting claims approved or moved through the
pipeline because of their relationship with insurers. They can also track information about your claim to keep you informed throughout the process.
Local Agents are Your Trusted Guide for Buying Insurance
If you bought your own homeowner or auto insurance policies through a self-service online portal, how confident are you that it will cover you when you need it? Do you ever wonder if there are any gaps you don’t know about in your coverage? Do you know exactly what to do if you have to file a claim? Are you sure you have a deductible that you can afford? If these questions give you a little knot in your stomach, contact us. We will review your existing policies without judgment and make sure you fully understand your level of protection. If it’s not in alignment with your needs, we’ll provide you with more appropriate options. Smyrl Insurance educates, nurtures, and empowers people through insurance to help them protect what’s important. We serve clients for auto, homeowner, renter, life, business, and other types of insurance needs in Hatfield, Lansdale, Souderton, Harleysville, and throughout Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
