When looking for an insurance agency, buyers have seemingly endless options to choose from. Whether shopping for
home insurance,
auto insurance, or any other type of policy, a quick internet search will likely turn up hundreds of insurance companies, ranging from major carriers like Geico and State Farm to smaller, local carriers like Connell & Curley Insurance Agency Inc. What’s the difference between a large national brand and independent agency, and which is the better option?
Differences Between Small and Large Insurance Agencies
Many small, independent insurance agencies act as a middleman to help customers find the policy that works best for them. Whereas larger insurance companies only sell their own policies,
agents at smaller companies help customers shop around to find the best rates from dozens of insurers. Agents work with the customer to learn about their budget and needs and then compile policies from numerous companies to help the customer choose the plan that works best for them. They can even help the customer shop around again if rates go up when it’s time to renew. This is particularly helpful because larger insurance agencies may only be able to adjust the rate of the policy by decreasing coverage, but an independent agent can find policies that already have lower rates without compromising coverage.
Are Smaller Insurance Agencies Reliable?
While customers certainly appreciate having so many options to choose from, they sometimes question the legitimacy of policies purchased from local companies. This is because the larger national brands, like Geico, Allstate, and State Farm, spend so much money on advertising that they’ve changed the way customers think about shopping for insurance. Their strategic marketing schemes have made customers believe that it should only take a few minutes to get a quote, and that by shopping with larger companies they can save more by using discounts invented by their company, like accident forgiveness. But the truth is that many smaller companies can give better rates without offering these made-up discounts, and because the State Department of Insurance monitors every operating insurer, they’re all just as reliable as the major players in the game.
To learn more about the benefits of working with an independent insurance agency,
contact Connell & Curley Insurance Agency Inc. at (508) 655-1112, and we’ll show you firsthand how a small agency will work for you!
