Disclosure: My name is Kevin Johnson and I am a Massachusetts, Independent Insurance Agency Owner.
I believe selecting the right MA independent insurance agent to take care of your insurance needs should not be an “eeny, meeny, miny, moe” decision. You are looking for a long-term relationship with someone you can trust. You wouldn’t buy a car without shopping around, and you shouldn’t select an independent agent without doing some research too. So what should you look for?
1. Know the Difference between Independent Agents and other Insurance Agents
An independent agent may be a small-business owner who represents a number of different insurance companies. In contrast, agents who represent large, national insurance companies are employees of their company and only sell products from that company. A direct insurance company sells directly to you without an agent, typically online. An independent agent has the opportunity to best match price and coverage for your needs, and if an insurance company is competitive one year but not the next, your independent agent can quote other carriers. That is why they are called independent.
2. Visit Their Website
Websites are full of information. Read about the history of the agency, the staff’s bios, their customer testimonials. See if their website provides insurance information and easy access to price quotes, either online or via telephone. Websites can give you a feel for the personality of the agency, what they think is important, and the type of customer service they provide.
3. How Long Have They Been In Business?
The Independent Agent business can be a hard business. If your not growing your shrinking. Agents come and go and Agencies get bought and sold. Is your Agent the owner? Owners have a vested interest in earning and keeping your business.
When you call do you get a familiar voice or an automated teller. Do they get back to you when you leave a message? How long does it take for them to get back to you?
4. Do They Answer the Phone?
It might sound silly, but when you call do you get a familiar voice or an automated teller? Do they get back to you if have to leave a message? How long does it take for them to get back to you? If they don’t get back to you when they are trying to earn your business, then they probably won’t get back to you when you have a claim or billing problem. Interview the independent agents you are considering: You should feel respect for their knowledge and get a sense about their integrity.
5. Knowledge and Trust Are Key
It is not so simple to determine knowledge and trust because these qualities are established over time. But you can start by asking the independent agents you are considering to explain the products they sell and how they determine which products, coverage and limits you need. This will give you a good feel for how the agent does business.
*Remember that your relationship with a good independent agent is likely to last a long time, so it pays to take the time to choose the right one for you.
As your independent agent, our job is to help you select the best coverage and limits and with the most competitive premiums from a variety of the insurance companies we represent.
Call, click or stop by MassAutoQuote today.