How to Get the Best Insurance Quote?
Insurance Q&A: “How to get the best insurance quote?”
We all want to know we’re getting the best insurance coverage at the lowest rate, but how can we be sure?
There are a number of different ways to obtain insurance, including direct from retail insurance companies, via independent agents who represent multiple companies, and through Internet insurance companies.
Below, we’ve highlighted a series of tips to help you obtain the best rate when dealing with an independent insurance agent:
1. Get online insurance quotes prior to visiting an independent agency. This will show them that you’ve done your homework and it gives you a valid starting point for the price range you should expect to pay.
2. Evaluate the agency’s appearance from the outside of the building (or their website). If they have a sign with a prominent insurer’s name listed above their own company name, take that as a sign they have some production commitments to that particular insurer.
3. Prior to providing your personal information, ask your agent for a list of all the insurers they represent who offer the type of insurance you need. At this point, the agent will likely be more honest with you, as they’ll try to impress you with the number of insurers they can offer quotes from.
4. Look around the inside of the office. Don’t be afraid to ask a question about a sign you see in the agency. If you see promotional materials from a company that offers homeowner’s insurance, be sure to ask for a quote from that company, or an explanation as to why you didn’t get one (of course, it is possible that that particular insurer doesn’t fit your needs).
5. When the agent tells you they’ve found the best policy for you, remember to ask to see all the other quotes as well. I repeat, ask to see ALL the other quotes. And if you don’t understand what you’re looking at, ask the agent. A major reason for using an agent is the fact that they can help you understand what you’re looking at.
6. After you’ve seen all the quotes, ask the agent why they think the one they picked out is the best choice. Don’t just go for the lowest rate. The agent should have tailored the policy for exactly what you want/need, so it shouldn’t be difficult explaining why it is best.
7. Finally, be sure to visit more than one insurance agent. This will definitely increase your odds of getting the best quote. If both agents say “Insurer A” is best for you, then the odds are it may be. Just be sure to follow the steps above when visiting subsequent agents.
Purchasing insurance isn’t the easiest task in the world, but if you apply the steps above in conjunction with a little bit of research, you’ll give yourself the best shot at getting the deal you deserve.
Remember, an independent agent has to balance your interests with theirs and the insurers they represent, which can leave you with the short end of the stick.
At the end of the day, your interests should come first, so make that clear when you begin shopping for an insurance quote.
