You’ve probably seen the Geico gecko, the Aflac duck, and the Liberty Mutual emu starring in home insurance commercials on TV. These giant companies appear to have taken over the insurance market with their gimmicks and funny commercials. As cute and catchy as they may be, are they the best insurance to go with? Are there other options? How do you know which plan fits your lifestyle? Do you feel comfortable sifting through insurance jargon? Trying to find the right insurance can be a daunting task, but if you work with an independent insurance agency, it can make the process a lot less scary.
What is an independent insurance agency?
What is an independent agency? You can sort of think of it like a sports agent. The sports agent’s job is to look through offers and contracts and find the best fit for the athlete. The independent insurance agent’s job is to do the same thing, but they are looking at insurance companies and the plans they provide, to find the best fit for you, their client.
Walls Insurance Agency is an independent group that works hard to find the best option for each client. We work with the individual and shop around with their interests in mind. By working with smaller insurance companies, we are able to customize plans more than if we went with the big name groups, such as State Farm or Allstate. We have been in the business for almost 70 years and work with more than 40 insurance companies, which means we have a lot of connections and a lot of experience. Using an independent insurance agency, like Walls Insurance, can be really beneficial. Here are some pros you can look forward to when you work with an independent agent:
- Knowledge – when you have a plumbing problem, you go to a plumber because they are the experts. Why not do the same when shopping for insurance? Independent insurance agents are highly trained individuals with a lot of experience and knowledge about the terminology, the types of plans, and the different options you have to choose from when shopping for insurance. They can explain wordy descriptions in a way that makes it easier to really understand what you are looking at. Better understanding helps you to make better decisions for your future and for your loved ones. Walls Insurance has over 180 years of combined experience, which means you can rely on us to help you make the best choice. Don’t muddle through the jargon on your own, let an independent agent be there to help you along the way.
- Advice and advocate – independent agents are there to get you the best coverage, but that doesn’t mean just getting the cheapest deal. Bigger companies, that don’t know you, might advise you to get the cheapest plan because their goal is to “save” you money. However, if you suffer a loss, poor coverage can leave you financially unstable. Particularly with home insurance, the agent will look at your personal needs and make sure that the plan you go with is one that fits not only your budget, but also your lifestyle. Agents are also there to advocate for you. If you have a claim or need to change plans, the agent will support you and work with the insurance company to help you get through the process smoothly.
- Talk to a real person – with big companies, automated answering services are becoming more and more prevalent. While this might be more convenient for the company, it is definitely a pain for the client. No one wants to argue with a robotic answering machine when you are trying to sort out insurance. If you go with an independent agent and a smaller insurance company, you are guaranteed to not only speak to a human, you will be on the phone with someone who knows the business inside and out, and can accurately answer your questions in a timely manner.
- Options – when working with an agent, they can give you multiple choices on which company and which plan to go with. If you search for insurance on your own, you would have to fill out multiple forms for different companies, just to get a quote. If you go with an independent agent, they handle that. Because agents have been working with multiple insurance companies over the years, they are familiar with the plans each group offers and can be more flexible in finding a plan that fits your needs. They are looking to find you the best deal, and they will probably be more successful than you would if you were working on your own.
There is never a wrong time to start working with an independent insurance agency, like Walls Insurance Agency. If you are shopping for a new insurance company in the Hampton Roads region, call an agent to help you decide which group to go with. If you are making changes to your current plan, talk to Walls Insurance, so you can be sure that you are getting the coverage you need at a price you can afford. If you are happy with your current company and plan, it is still a good idea to talk to an agent. We can check things out, that way you know you are paying a fair price, and you have adequate coverage.
Working with an independent agent is always a good idea – give Walls Insurance Agency located in Smithfield Virginia a call, so we can support and advocate for you starting today!
