by waldin » Tue Jun 02, 2009 04:10 am
I have had auto insurance from Allstate for over 20 years. I kept it because of the agent and never really looked anywhere else. She is moving out of the business and I think I'll look around.
I'm wondering about using an independent agent/broker. Is that a good idea? There is one in Seattle called DMA Insurance. They carry a fair number of companies and can provide a quick quote but it still takes me doing a lot of digging to get the info to put in.
Does anyone know about using independent agents? Anyone know anything about DMA (they are in Seattle at 24 Roy Street if that helps)?
Thanks
I'm wondering about using an independent agent/broker. Is that a good idea? There is one in Seattle called DMA Insurance. They carry a fair number of companies and can provide a quick quote but it still takes me doing a lot of digging to get the info to put in.
Does anyone know about using independent agents? Anyone know anything about DMA (they are in Seattle at 24 Roy Street if that helps)?
Thanks
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 05:44 am Post Subject: Independent Agent
Waldin,
Using an Independnent agent you will find is long over due. They have the ability to shop your rate around to the best premium per price for you. It is not a cookie cutter policy like the one you have been in for over 20 yrs.
In these time it is necesarry to shop policies until you find one that fits YOU not you fitting the policy.
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 05:52 am Post Subject:
Waldin, Tylor is right in saying that an independent agent can help you in finding the right policy that would suit your budget since they have contracts with various insurers. In a word, they can actually do the shopping around for you.
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 06:01 am Post Subject:
Baring specific wording and slight changes in the policy, isn't price about the only thing to consider? Is it worth it to most people to pay a higher price for that one time when they might need to file a claim?
How many independent agents really know the differences between policies and the way that insurance companies they write for handle claims?
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:46 am Post Subject:
Hi Waldin,
I guess there are some advantages and disadvantages of using both independent as well as captive agents. As tcope has rightly mentioned independent agents may not have a detailed knowledge of the policy features or the claim procedures.
I'd also believe that they'd have their own business interests in mind while offering you coverage for your needs. Don't you think agents should be more focused upon identifying their customer's needs and work to protect their coverage interests?
Steven
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 11:38 am Post Subject:
.
.
Well said T-cope.
Baring specific wording and slight changes in the policy, isn't price about the only thing to consider? Is it worth it to most people to pay a higher price for that one time when they might need to file a claim?
How many independent agents really know the differences between policies and the way that insurance companies they write for handle claims?
I'd like to add.... How many agents [independent or company] really know the differences between policies and the way that insurance companies they write for handle claims?
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Selecting an Auto Insurance Company :
Insurance is one of the very few products that we as consumers purchase before having the opportunity to sample the product. Our assumption that we are covered for a loss when it happens provides us peace of mind and confidence to carry on with our daily lives. Consumers also purchase insurance as its mandated by the State. Most consumers truly believe that insurance companies will take care of us in our hour of need. We trust that in exchange for money, the insurance companies will treat us fairly and with respect which is not always the case.
Most all businesses are Nice while we are giving them money in exchange for the products they sell. Most give us something tangible like Food, Firewood, Electricity, Natural gas, Cars, Toys, etc. for our Money. We can see, touch and use the product and get a feel for what it can and can't do as we expect it to based on Advertising and implied abilities of the Company selling the product.
Likewise most all Insurance Co.'s are Nice to deal with while we are giving them Money in exchange for a Paper Promise that is generally only valid for Six Months to a year.
If we've been accident free for that year we are happy because our life's routines have been un-interrupted by an automobile accident. Our insurer is happy also, they get to keep our money while we get to keep an expired Piece of Paper. Then we get to repeat the process all over again, year after year.
Unlike other products, with insurance, until that dreaded accident occurs, one never knows how they will be treated should they need to actually use that Insurer's Promise. Decades could pass before one discovers if they have been paying a Good insurer or if they have been paying their hard earned Money to an not so ethical company??
How will your brand of insurance treat you? -- What's their track record? And more importantly... what's their track record _Locally_?
There is a Huge source of knowledge throughout this country that has answers to those questions.
That information is at your local Auto Body [Collision] Repair Shops. They see first hand, over and over again how each insurer [and more importantly, how each Company Adjuster] treats their insured's and third party Accident Claims. They know which company is more likely to Pay the full cost of your expenses as a result of an accident and which company is likely to Stall, Delay, and Deny full payment.
Individual Company Adjusters have the ability to set the "real" day to day claims handling practices that an insurance company will be judged by in the area the Adjuster works. I communicate with Collision shops around the Nation and as unbelievable as it may seem to some... the same insurance company can be Number One in one area and a county or two away be the worst company anyone has ever had to deal with. I've observed different levels of customer service provided by the same insurance Co.'s to their customers many times over the past 40+ years of repairing automobiles.
If you care about your Car, Before you Sign... it might be a good idea to contact a few Auto Body Repair Shops in your area and ask them about the "Claims handling practices" they've experienced with the company you are considering purchasing automobile insurance from.
Also, ask if [and which] insurance company(s) the Auto Body Shop has Direct Repair Agreements with. These (DRP) agreements could [but may not] create a bias response to your questions because they may be concerned their answers may cause them to lose some referrals from Your insurer.
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 10:58 am Post Subject:
I too have been with the same agent for over 30 years, and have no intention of shopping, unless and until they retire (husband already has wife, is younger than me so 'maybe' i'll not have to)...IMO it's very important to have a good agent, with a clear understanding of what they are sellling...and if they don't know the answer, they are quick to find it for you and call you back promptly.
As with anything there are good and bad independent agents...Word of mouth is the best bet...ask your friends, family fellow employees who their agent is and how they feel about him/her.
RE: FK's post, not a bad idea, but the only info you'll get getting there is 'if' they've had any claims with that particular company...if they've had one or two, and it went good or bad, is that an accurate sampling? I dont' think it is...Check your states dept of ins web site, it will show complaints re: the companys and many sites will also show complaints against an agency (or violations).
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