Three Ways to Buy Your Insurance

There are three main distribution channels in the insurance industry—three ways that you can access insurance.  It’s important to understand the three types because they affect type of service you receive.

1. Captive agent

   A captive agent, such as State Farm, only offers one carrier’s products—State Farm.  Should that product not suit your needs, the agent has no other options for you. You may like your agent, but if the product doesn’t deliver what you need, you won’t be happy at claim time.

   
   

2. Independent agent

   An independent agent (which is Knight Insurance Group) represents many carriers and is an independent business—not owned or controlled by a carrier.  An independent agent has the ability to match your needs against its various carriers’ products and therefore present the best proposal among its carrier mix.  And since it’s an independent business, it can negotiate on your behalf from a position of strength.  Check out TrustedChoice.com/Who-We-Are for more information.

   
   

3. Direct writer

   If you’re with a direct writer (such as Geico), you have no agent.  You talk directly with the carrier’s employees.   Why does this matter?  Well, let’s say at claim time, you have a dispute with the adjuster.  Who would you call to advocate for you?  Will the carrier’s employees really negotiate on your behalf?

It’s easy to see that of the three types, the independent agent gives you the most choice and the most voice!