Buying Insurance Online vs. Using An Independent Agent

In today's world, almost anything can be done over the internet, including buying insurance. What used to require an in-person consultation can now be done with the click of a button. But, are the results the same? In this post, we discuss our thoughts on this topic and provide you with the information you need to know before you decide which option to use.

Online insurance providers, like Geico and Esurance, allow people to become quickly insured from the comfort of their couch. All you need is a computer and internet connection. The advantages of this is the quick speed and elimination of any human interaction, which a lot of people find attractive. However, a major flaw in buying insurance online is that these companies provide little to no guidance when it comes to choosing policies. A person who knows little about insurance might end up buying a policy that does not cover what they need and not even know it.

On the other hand, an independent agency provides individuals with more guidance. Instead of having to choose a policy yourself, a professional representative gathers your insurance needs and works to find the best policy for you by exploring as many insurance carriers as possible. One of the main advantages of choosing this process is having insurance professionals work hard to protect you. Throughout the year, they maintain your policies to make sure you are continually covered while paying the lowest premiums. While an independent agent is not as quick as buying insurance online, many agencies are becoming more digital (including Nottingham Insurance) to make it easier and quicker for you to be better insured.

A big myth about using an independent agent is that it is more expensive. We agree that it makes sense to assume it is more expensive to use a professional service rather than just doing it yourself, but that is typically not the case. While certainly there are some cases in which large online providers can offer the best price, more times than not clients save money when they choose an independent agent (while being better protected).

In conclusion, if you have a do-it-yourself personality and are willing to put the effort and time in, then buying insurance online from a major provider may be the right option for you. But if you want a professional to work for you to save money, then we recommend using an independent insurance agency (hopefully Nottingham Insurance)!

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Let Nottingham Insurance be there for you when life happens. Call us at (609)587-1600 or email us at info@nottins.com.