Independent Insurance Agents: The Secret to Saving On Your Premiums

Let’s talk about everyone’s favorite subject: insurance! 

Okay… insurance may not be your favorite subject, but it’s sort of a fact of life. Almost everyone needs it. 

Simply put, insurance is a financial product that protects things you own from unforeseen events like car accidents, damage to your home, medical emergencies, and more. 

Some of the most common types of insurance include:

• Auto Insurance
• Home Insurance
• Renters Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Health Insurance

There are also insurance products that protect farms, businesses and more. If you have valuable property, like jewelry, you can buy insurance policies for those as well. 

When it comes to finding insurance, you’ve probably heard of most of the major carriers. Their commercials air during nearly every break of every TV show you watch. 

But when it comes to finding the best price for the right coverage, there is one way to shop from multiple carriers all at once: independent insurance agents. 

Let’s explore the different ways you can shop for insurance, then talk about how an independent agent can help you save on your premiums.

How to Shop for Auto Insurance, Homeowners Insurance and More

There’s no shortage of ways to get insurance. 

You can get it online, over the phone, in-person, etc. If you want the human touch, you can work with an agent. If you want to self-serve, you can get many types of insurance without ever having to talk to another person.  

But there are a few different places you can look for insurance. The ways we’ll discuss include shopping directly from insurance carriers and working with independent insurance agents. 

Shop Through Individual Insurance Carriers

One of the most common ways to shop for insurance is to check and compare prices from the major carriers. The major carriers are well-known brands and are easy to find online and in-person around the country. 

When shopping through insurance carriers, determine the coverage you need, compare prices from the various companies, and purchase your policies. 

To get the best price, you can mix and match policies from different companies for everything you need insured. Or you may qualify for certain discounts if you get all your policies from one company. 

Work with an Independent Insurance Agent

Comparing prices across multiple insurance carriers is a lot easier when you work with an independent insurance agent. Independent agents don’t work for a single carrier, but partner with many to find the best prices and coverage for you. 

You can have insurance policies through multiple carriers, but have it all managed through one agent. 

Benefits of Working with Insurance Carriers

There are a few reasons you might want to buy your insurance directly from individual carriers: 

1. You want more direct control over your insurance policies.
2. You want to work exclusively with brands you love.
3. You qualify for bundle and/or loyalty discounts.

If you want to be more in control of your insurance policies, working directly with insurance carriers might be the best option for you. You can hand-pick your insurance policies from brands you trust. 

Many carriers even offer bundle discounts if you have multiple policies with them, or loyalty discounts if you stay with them for a certain amount of time. 

Benefits of Working with Independent Insurance Agents

There are many benefits to working with an independent insurance agent.  

One-Stop Insurance Shop

When you work with an independent insurance agent, you can get all your insurance policies through one agent. They can manage multiple policies through multiple carriers for you, so you can get the best prices for the right coverage. 

Independent insurance agents can help you find affordable coverage, even if you have a complicated situation. 

For example, if you have multiple accidents or a serious driving offense like a DUI, you may be labeled a high-risk driver. This could result in higher rates or, in some cases, carriers refusing to offer you coverage. 

An independent agent can shop around to find affordable coverage for these situations. Sometimes they’ll find it through smaller, lesser-known carriers that offer nonstandard policies. 

They can also help you find life insurance even if you have a preexisting health condition, homeowners’ insurance if you live in a high-risk area, and more. 

A Familiar Face

If you get your insurance through multiple carriers, that’s multiple agents that only understand some of your needs and unique situations. When you work with an independent insurance agent, they understand all your needs and can tailor your coverage to fit the bigger picture. 

Independent Insurance Agents: Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts: Independent Insurance Agents

Insurance is a requirement for most people. It’s one of life’s necessary costs. 

And when you work with an independent insurance agent, you can find the right coverage for the best price, even if your policies come from multiple carriers. 

Veridian Insurance, a wholly owned subsidiary of Veridian Credit Union, is an independent agency that can provide a range of personal and business insurance services. We work with many regional and national insurance carriers to find the coverage that fits your unique needs at the most competitive price possible.

You can get request a quote from Veridian Insurance online, or click one of the categories below to learn more and find an independent agent today!