An Agent vs Do-It-Yourself : Dear Insurance Agent...
HomeAbout UsContact UsCommunity ConnectBLOG: Dear Insurance Agent


EPAY
Online. 24/7
Independent Insurance Agents of Texas

An Agent vs Do-It-Yourself

by A. Montalbano on 05/16/18

In recent years, the headlines spark wonder if the insurance outlook for consumers will shake many small insurance agencies.  Buying auto insurance direct for instance,  has worked out well online for a number of years.  However, when it comes to homeowners and commercial coverage, the agent is still the best beat.  Why you might wonder?  Online is the craze for purchasing everything and anything.  Well, almost.  

1.  At any level, homeowners insurance and commercial insurance still require technical assistance. It is a question of financially protecting larger assets. Details are left to the agent and so is the relationship.  Rarely do phone operators at large insurance call centers  spend much needed time with the phone caller.  This job scope is to process your credit card and move on.  Corporations believe customer service is wasted money, its the reason why so many large companies "outsource" to other countries and so many agents, like myself, look forward to hearing from customers. 
2.  Another reason why an agent works better in the insurance equation is we speak the insurance lingo.  Underwriters don't have the time to hang around on the phone to answer all concerns and usually don't have the ability to give the customer service most of us desire when we have an issue.  It is not that they are unkind or could care less about your matter, but they are trained to focus only on accepting or declining coverage to help keep the loss ratio low and make the company money at the same time.  they represent the company.
3.  Agents can advocate when an issue arise.  In 14 years of insurance, I've seen good agents advocate with great skill. (ask me how I have gone to bat). I take care and concern to heart when my customer is not given choices. 
4.  Variety of companies is what an agent can offer.  If you ever bought direct online, its one choice, and basic; why auto insurance works well in this manner.

My recommendation to the universe: don't sell yourself short! In the long stretch, agents, like myself, are interested in getting the word out about the do's and the don't shared with you on a one-on-one basis.  We get to see the reality of insurance and balance the satisfaction between the insurance company and the customer.  Trust is a two-way street.  Our efforts are based on commission and if you purchased a policy of $1000/yr, remember 10% is usually what we make on most policies.  So when you cancel, we got to pay back the commission.  
Connection is important to us because that is how we build business.  However, it is the agent who cannot accept the forward motion of technology who will get left behind. Our agency offers tech-enabled services to cut alot of the insurance hassle.  And while most agents are bound to making a direct appointment(carrier) required volume, our agency runs on a consumer-choice method, not the insurance company-choice method.  And we never stop scouting for better markets offering great rates.

Comments (0)


Leave a comment


AGIS | PO BOX 448 | MAGNOLIA, TX 77353
Blog





Construction
Keeping it safe on the job site and whats trending in the builders world.






​01/24/17 
Gotta Love A Tool: 
5 Tips from an Equipment Thief 
​08/2014 Gotta Love A Tool:
History of Tools: 2 Great Empires
08/2014 Gotta Love A Tool: 
10 Important Tool Wonders
07/07/16
Outdoor Projects Heat Alert


Insurance

Secrets and tips of how to stay ahead.​

​04/07/19 Secrets Before You Buy A Home. Part 1
06/06/18 The Story of Your Insurance Matrix Life
05/20/18  10 Things You Should Never Keep From Your Agent
05/16/18 Agent vs Do-It-Yourself
03/01/18  How Your Website and/or Social Media Can Kill Your Chances of Business Insurance Coverage.
10/20/16Safety is Key When Prepping Home for the Holidays 
​10/06/16About Hurricanes and Storms For Texas Newcomers 
​08/02/16Vicious Dog List problematic coverage.
​07/01/16How Insurance Helped the U.S. Prosper: Colonial America and Benjamin Franklin
​01/07/16Steps to Take When Involved In An Auto Accident 
​12/28/1510 Things When Searching for An Apartment.
10/22/15Prepping Your Home for Fall Season Is Claims Deterrent 
09/2015  Personal Liability Affects Everyone.
08/2015  Does My Car Have Flood Coverage?
08/2015  High Risk Drivers...
04/2015 7 Car Shopping Strategies.(Progressive)
11/2014  Not-So-Bright Mishaps...
​10/2014 10 Dumb Ways to Increase Insurance.


​Business

Keeping abreast of trends and get inspired on making your mark in business. 

06/25/17  American Entrepreneural Spirit: Ideas to Independence  
02/15/17 
U.S. Open for Business 
01/25/17 
And the Self-Made Shall Inherit the Earth 
01/05/17 
Small Business the Fabric of American Society 
08/2015
Preventing Small Business Claims.
08/2015  
Myths and Facts: Business Liability...
09/2014  How the USA Prospered: Ships Sailed to the New World
08/2014 The Rise of Lloyds of London
08/2014 Why Every Size Business Needs General Liability
02/2014  What the Stars Insure.
Month of May 2019:  Safety on the site.
OSHA Guide to Recommended Practices.
Presenting what we know: business, insurance, market trends, and the history of great societies 
(its all related).