Get Your Finances in Gear
Are All Insurance Agents the Same?
An Independent Approach to Car Insurance
Get Your Finances In Gear For The New Year
(NAPS)—This time of year, thoughts turn to year-end financial matters: paying holiday bills, preparing your tax return and more. It’s also a great time to review the general state of your finances to see if you need to make any changes in the coming year.
Many people don’t consider the importance of insurance in an overall financial plan. But the fact is, no matter how hard you work to build wealth, failure to purchase adequate insurance can be your undoing. On the other hand, pay-ing for coverage you don’t need can also sap your budget. Finding the right balance can be a challenge.
That’s why now is a good time to sit down with an independent insurance agent and review your needs. Think of an insurance agent as a vital information source, one that can help think through an individual situation and can put together a package of policies, coverage and price that meets specific needs.
An independent agent can ask the right questions to help better determine the kind of insurance needed.
Because an independent agent can check prices from many different companies, he or she can help get the maximum coverage at reasonable cost.
Here are just a few of the questions to ask an independent agent as you consider an overall financial plan:
What type of policy is right for me? This depends on factors such as budget, the amount of coverage needed and the level of service you want from an insurance company. Finding the appropriate level of coverage is important. You don’t want to overpay for coverage not needed, but you also want to keep in mind that the worst experience is to have a claim, then discover there’s not enough coverage.
How do rates from different companies compare? Independent agents are licensed to represent multiple insurance companies, so they can shop multiple companies to get the coverage you need at an attractive price.
Are there other ways to save? As a person’s situation evolves—he or she gets married, has kids, buys a new car—check in with an independent agent. Companies offer various discounts for such life changes, and this information could help the agent find additional savings.
To learn more or to find an independent insurance agent, visit progressiveagent.com.
Did You Know?
Finding the right insurance balance—adequate coverage that doesn’t include items you don’t need—can be a challenge, but an independent insurance agent can help. To learn more or to find an independent agent, visit progressiveagent.com.
Are All Insurance Agents The Same?
(NAPS)—To get the best deal on insurance, many people consult an insurance agent or broker. But did you know that there are different kinds of insurance agents and brokers—and the one you choose can make a big difference in the type of service you get and the choices you’re offered?
Here’s the difference:
Captive agents and brokers. Captive agents work with a specific insurance company, and as part of their business agreement with that company, they can offer only that company’s insurance products. They may also be required to sell other products from that company, such as annuities and investment plans.
Independent agents and brokers. Independent agents and brokers can offer products from many insurance companies. This helps them better serve your interests, as they can review multiple options to find a policy and rate that’s right for you. Insurance rates vary from company to company. Independent agents can put together a customized insurance plan.
If you’re ready to contact an independent agent to talk about saving money on car insurance, here are a few things to consider:
Has your life situation changed recently? Many factors determine auto insurance rates, not just vehicle year, make, model, body type and engine size. If you’ve recently moved, gotten married, had a birthday or experienced a similar life milestone, mention this to an independent agent or broker. You may be eligible to save money on your car insurance.
Is your car getting older? You don’t always need the same level of physical damage coverage on older cars as on newer ones. If you drive an older car, an independent agent or broker can advise you on what level of cover-age makes the most sense. Raising your deductible could save you money each year, too.
Do you have another type of vehicle that also needs coverage? If you have a motorcycle, boat, RV or other “toy,” you might save money by having it covered by the same company that insures your car. Talk to an independent agent or broker about it.
Another plus to working with an independent agent or broker is their ability to offer guidance for all your insurance needs—auto, home, life, business and more. They can customize a package of policies just for you.
To learn more or to find an independent agent or broker, visit progressiveagent.com.
Did You Know?
Unlike captive agents, independent agents and brokers can offer products from many insurance companies. This helps them better serve your interests, as they can review multiple options to find a policy and rate that’s right for you. To find an independent agent or broker, visit progressiveagent.com.
An Independent Approach To Car Insurance
(NAPS)—Many consumers are finding they can drive down the cost of car insurance—and the time it takes to select the right policy— by contacting an independent insurance agent or broker.
Because they represent many different insurance companies, independent agents have the flexibility to review rates and coverage from competing carriers and get you the best deal. Plus, they can offer affordable protection for your home, business and other assets. So rather than spending hours gathering quotes from various companies, you can get it done with one simple call or visit to your independent agent or broker.
If you’re thinking of contacting an independent agent, here are a few things to consider:
- What’s your lifestyle? Many factors determine auto insurance rates, not just vehicle year, make and model. Companies also look at information about you. If you’ve recently moved, gotten married, had a birthday or experienced a similar life milestone, mention this to your independent agent or broker. You may be eligible to save money on your car insurance.
- Sweet 16 doesn’t have to be sour. Having a new teenage driver usually means the auto insurance bill will go up, but there are ways to save. An independent agent or broker can find them for you.
- How old is your car? You don’t always need the same level of physical damage coverage on older cars as on newer ones. If you drive an older car, your independent agent or broker can advise you what level of coverage makes the most sense. If you want to keep your physical damage coverage, consider raising your deductible—that could save you money each year, too.
- Save money on the fun stuff. If you have a motorcycle, boat, RV or other “toy,” you might save money by having it covered by the same company that insures your car. Talk to your independent agent or broker about it.
You may also want to consider separating your homeowner’s policy from your car insurance policy. Bundling your homeowner’s policy with your car insurance doesn’t always save you money. It may, but have your independent agent look at separating the policies—the discount you may have gotten for keeping them together may be outweighed by the lower price another company might have for your car insurance.
To learn more or to find an independent agent or broker, visit progressiveagent.com.
Did You Know?
Bundling your homeowner’s policy with your car insurance doesn’t always save you money. It may be wise to have an independent agent look at separating the policies. The discount you got for bundling may be outweighed by a lower competitive price. To learn more or to find an inde-pendent agent or broker, visit progressiveagent.com.