As a responsible driver, you already know how important your car insurance is – especially if you’ve ever needed to file a claim. What you may not know, however, is how important is that you purchase your car insurance from the right source. With so many options, you might be confused about the ways you can select your coverage. Continue reading to learn the differences between buying direct and using and agent, as well as which choice might be right for you.
Buying Direct is Risky Business
Drivers have long been able to purchase car insurance directly through an insurance company by calling them over the phone, but most have opted for the one-on-one assistance of an agent. However, the Internet has opened up brand new ways of purchasing local car insurance, right from the comfort of your own home. It doesn’t get any more local than that. However, this has led some drivers to venture out on their own and build their own policies which can lead to trouble. Though it may sound convenient, this approach is actually quite risky – especially if you have limited knowledge of how car insurance actually works.
How valuable are the most important things in your life? Car insurance is much more than a commodity or a legal requirement; it is a financial tool used to protect you, your loved ones, and your wealth. If you don’t cut your own hair, perform your own surgery, or represent yourself in court, why would you rely on your own understanding to safeguard your assets and income? One major lawsuit or serious injury could be enough to set you back many years of saving if you are underinsured.
Agents Offer Priceless Advice
Advice matters when your future and finances are at stake. An agent is there to help you think through every possible scenario. For example, how do you know when you have enough liability insurance? Are state minimum limits enough? Probably not if you own property or have any type of savings or retirement program.
Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye – even to safe drivers. According to the 2014 Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts released by the Department of Public Safety, more than 190,000 people were involved in traffic accidents in Minnesota alone that year. Of those, nearly 30,000 were injured. Since roughly 1 in 10 drivers do not have car insurance, and even more of them are underinsured, many of the victims injured on Minnesota public roads must rely on their own insurance for vehicle repairs and compensation for injuries. Your agent can help you sort through your coverage options and ensure you have access to the protection that covers all of your bases.
Why Choose an Independent Agent?
There are agents, and then there are independent agents. They can both sell you and advise you on car insurance, but independent agents can offer so much more. Unlike a carrier agent who works for one specific insurance company, an independent agent works in a free market. Here at Andreotti Insurance, that means offering our customers access to insurance bids from several of the state’s leading companies. We do the shopping for you and present you with your quotes, allowing you to choose the policy that best fits your needs.
In addition, we have an office right here in Oakdale. That means you are getting local car insurance from someone who lives and works in the same community as you do. You are free to give us a call or drop by our office anytime without being shuffled around to different departments or placed on hold while you wait for the next available representative. Whether you need to file a claim, have a question about your policy, or want to review your coverage needs, we will be there to assist you in any way we can.
