Consumer-direct sales are one of the biggest economic trends in the U.S. right now. More and more people are choosing to bypass third-parties and go straight to the source when shopping for goods or services. Taking this approach can certainly save some cash – but not always.
Shopping direct for car insurance could actually have a reverse effect; it could cost you more money. If you are looking for the best car insurance rates, don’t do anything else before we let you in on an insurance industry secret. Continue reading at taggeinsurance.com to find out how shopping direct could be hurting your car insurance.
When the Wrong Coverage Costs You More
When you shop direct, you get to call all the shots and find out how making small changes or cutting back on coverage can save you cash. Unfortunately, many people give up the coverage they need based on the urge to save money.
Imagine this:
You get the urge to shop around for car insurance one day and find out you can save a few bucks purchasing a policy you found online. You even got to “customize your coverage”, adjusting the amount of protection on your policy until you scored a price attractive to your budget. A few months later, you fall asleep at the wheel and cause an accident. You are sure your car will be repaired because you made sure to include collision protection on your vehicle. However, you decided to cut back on your liability to save some money. Unfortunately, the cost of the victim’s injuries and property damage far surpass the limits on your liability, forcing you to pay thousands out of your own pocket for the losses.
It’s simple to see what went wrong. Relying on computer software and limited personal knowledge about insurance, assets, and financial responsibility can land you in a precarious position if you ever need to file a claim. Working with an independent agent means having the support of a licensed and regulated agent who is specially trained to answer your questions, provide advice on your coverage selections, and point out any gaps in your policy. Independent agents do more than sell insurance; they help you navigate all of the fine print to ensure you know exactly what you are signing up for.
Reliability and Trust
What matters is who you trust with your insurance needs. When you work with an independent agent, you know you are consulting with someone who works for you – not an insurance company. You never know what you will end up with when you shop for coverage online. An independent agent can help you chose a reputable insurance company, ensuring you only work with good names in the industry – not the fly-by-night ones.
Comparison Shopping
The best car insurance rates are always found when you shop around. If you shop direct, however, the onus is on you to ensure you are getting the best value for your coverage. Individual carrier websites and agents will steer you toward their product – not those of another carrier. If you want multiple quotes, you might need to spend hours contacting multiple insurance carriers so that you can see how they stack up against each other. A better alternative is letting an agent do the comparison shopping for you instead.
We here at Tagge Insurance have access to multiple insurance markets and can help guide you through the quote and application process. We work with you from start to finish, taking care to ensure every detail is correct on your car insurance policy. We can also help you with any custom features you might need to add to your insurance that might not otherwise be available or easy to acquire when you purchase coverage through a chat support representative online or a customer service representative over the phone.
If you are in the market for car insurance or have purchased coverage through a direct sales website or agent in the past, come find out why so many people are choosing to use a trusted, local, independent agent instead. Contact our Springfield office to request your free quotes and risk consultation. We look forward to serving you soon.
