You can buy most types of insurance without an agent. But it doesn't save you any money. You pay the same.
The agent is someone who understands a lot more about insurance than you do. He helps you avoid mistakes. When people are left to their own choices they make huge mistakes with insurance. In fact they tend to put huge importance on BRANDS of insurance rather than the specifics of their policy. That's a huge mistake.
You can buy without an agent. And I am an agent so I might be biased but if you show me 10-people who bought insurance without a good agent I can show you 10- people that I can give much better choices to.
The problem is most agents are less than 1-year on the job and only know a little more than you do. When you choose your agent the first thing you should ask is how long they have been a full time insurance agent. Over 5-years is good. Less than 2-years is real bad. Let them learn on other people.
Also ask if the are independent or work mainly for one company. If they work mainly with one company, that's not good unless you don't care about price and value.
Your agent is free for you. Interview several. Fire them if they don't fit well with you. Use them to your benefit.
Agent Owner, Gilmore Insurance Services, Marysville, Washington State
As a big do it yourselfer, the answer is maybe? It depends on what your situation is and how adept you are on gathering information and making a good decision from all the information out there. I mean I like to work on my cars and trucks. I can do many things myself and feel really good about it. However, I do still use my trusted mechanic for the things I simply am not good enough to do myself and that way I avoid putting my family at risk. As another noted, there are absolutely no price savings in going without an agent. The laws in most states prevent any discounting for doing it yourself. It never ever hurts to become informed about a product. I have taught my son the doctor, how to frame a house, wire a house and have a general understanding about construction. He's a doctor now, and yes, that is fun to say, he has learned enough about how to build that when he decides to build, he can have a good conversation with a builder and know when to call shenanigans or not. By all means it pays to educate yourself, but understand that an open mind is required to educate yourself.
You can buy all types of insurance without an agent, but as an independent agent myself, I like to think that I can bring a certain level of knowledge to the client that isn't easily obtained via other means, such as the internet. As some have said, people tend to look at the insurance carrier as a primary driver of what to choose, but there are so many other factors to be considered. In cases where full medical underwriting is involved, I can quickly give someone an idea of how different companies might view a health problem and set the expectation of what may happen to the rate in the end. While one company may increase the final rate for a given condition, another company might offer a policy at the standard rate. Also, having had lots of other client experiences to draw from and company contacts at the various carriers, I can offer help navigating the system after the purchase is made. Education, guidance and service is what I provide for no more than you'd pay buying direct. So, you may not "need" someone like me - but you certainly might "want" the services I can provide.
Branch Owner, TWFG Insurance Services, Fremont California and the Greater Bay Area Representing Dozens of Insurance Carriers
The internet has made it much easier for the consumer to purchase auto and home insurance online. However from my experience most clients still do not understand the coverage's they are purchasing and often leave huge gaps in their coverage. Also has a clients portfolio builds and insurance needs become greater an agents knowledge and experience becomes invaluable in offering protection to consumers. Now as it pertains to business this is something that takes years of educating just for agents. Consumers should never try to purchase on their own business insurance without consulting an agent as the needs are vast and many. The wrong coverage for your business can destroy your entire lively hood.
Vice President/Agent, Best Rates Insurance Inc, Kalispell Montana
Your insurance is only as good as your agent. An Agent can provide you personal service as most online carriers you can not get this type of service. In many cases you can get a better rate from an agent because they listen to you and what our needs and make sure you are properly covered. I have thousands of time Beat the online rate with the same carrier even. It really comes down to personal preference.
Some say they like the online because it is 24/7 That is ok also But our clients We personally answer the phone 24/7 I can count on 1 hand how many times a client has ever had to leave a voicemail.
If your looking for just numbers and no service then by all means online is the way to go just make sure that you are properly covered and also make sure that they can even sell insurance in your state. I can't begin to count how many people I know that have purchased online because a of a banner ad they clicked or got in their email and purchased coverage then found out later after a claim that that carrier is not allowed to even sell in our state hence no coverage and out of the money they spent on a policy. Or worse yet bought a policy online and it was not even a real company now days the scammers are out there buyer beware.
I love this question! The answer is found all over the internet. Yes, the same internet that you used to buy insurance. Look at the reviews on Yelp and others to see what kind of feedback(complaints) people are posting. The moment you begin to choose your insurance based solely on the price, you'll begin to run into problems. Claims not handled to your satisfaction and the inability to get anyone on this continent to talk to you about it. You may save a few bucks when you purchase your insurance but you'll lose in the long run.
A good agent does something a website can never do.........care. If you have a problem with the way my company handles a claim you can walk right into my office and talk with me, and I'll listen and do whatever I can to make you happy. I'm accountable for the services that I provide. Flo or the Gecko will try to sell you on the idea that all insurance is the same and the price is the only thing that matters. Nothing could be further from the truth. Will Flo tell you that you're grossly underinsured and, god forbid, you get sued, you could be paying for the rest of your life? Nope. But a good agent will, and it probably wouldn't cost that much more.
The internet hasn't made the insurance agent obsolete. On the contrary, it proves why you need a good one. Insurance isn't a simple point and click product. There are many different aspects that fit together to make it work for you, and it's different for everyone. I've never had a client tell me I'm overcharging them after we've rebuilt their home. Will the lizard show up at your home at 2am when your house is still burning? I have, it's what I owe my clients.
There are bad agents out there, I'll admit. I've met quite a few. However, most good agents take their responsibility seriously and they truly care about their clients. So, in summary, agents are necessary only if you want someone who cares about covering your family correctly.
Business Development Officer, T.D. McNeil Insurance Services, Fresno, California
Insurance is a personal product. One size doesn’t fit everyone. The most important part of the insurance buying process is setting the limits. If a policy fails to provide the necessary protection when you experience a loss, you will be dissatisfied and you will have paid far too much for your coverage. A trusted agent will listen to you, offer sound financial advice and communicate clearly with you and the insurance company. His advice in setting limits offsets any savings you might get through an alternative distribution system.
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The agent is someone who understands a lot more about insurance than you do. He helps you avoid mistakes. When people are left to their own choices they make huge mistakes with insurance. In fact they tend to put huge importance on BRANDS of insurance rather than the specifics of their policy. That's a huge mistake.
You can buy without an agent. And I am an agent so I might be biased but if you show me 10-people who bought insurance without a good agent I can show you 10- people that I can give much better choices to.
The problem is most agents are less than 1-year on the job and only know a little more than you do. When you choose your agent the first thing you should ask is how long they have been a full time insurance agent. Over 5-years is good. Less than 2-years is real bad. Let them learn on other people.
Also ask if the are independent or work mainly for one company. If they work mainly with one company, that's not good unless you don't care about price and value.
Your agent is free for you. Interview several. Fire them if they don't fit well with you. Use them to your benefit.
Some say they like the online because it is 24/7 That is ok also But our clients We personally answer the phone 24/7 I can count on 1 hand how many times a client has ever had to leave a voicemail.
If your looking for just numbers and no service then by all means online is the way to go just make sure that you are properly covered and also make sure that they can even sell insurance in your state. I can't begin to count how many people I know that have purchased online because a of a banner ad they clicked or got in their email and purchased coverage then found out later after a claim that that carrier is not allowed to even sell in our state hence no coverage and out of the money they spent on a policy. Or worse yet bought a policy online and it was not even a real company now days the scammers are out there buyer beware.
A good agent does something a website can never do.........care. If you have a problem with the way my company handles a claim you can walk right into my office and talk with me, and I'll listen and do whatever I can to make you happy. I'm accountable for the services that I provide. Flo or the Gecko will try to sell you on the idea that all insurance is the same and the price is the only thing that matters. Nothing could be further from the truth. Will Flo tell you that you're grossly underinsured and, god forbid, you get sued, you could be paying for the rest of your life? Nope. But a good agent will, and it probably wouldn't cost that much more.
The internet hasn't made the insurance agent obsolete. On the contrary, it proves why you need a good one. Insurance isn't a simple point and click product. There are many different aspects that fit together to make it work for you, and it's different for everyone. I've never had a client tell me I'm overcharging them after we've rebuilt their home. Will the lizard show up at your home at 2am when your house is still burning? I have, it's what I owe my clients.
There are bad agents out there, I'll admit. I've met quite a few. However, most good agents take their responsibility seriously and they truly care about their clients. So, in summary, agents are necessary only if you want someone who cares about covering your family correctly.