The business world is changing rapidly. Of course it is, it is always changing rapidly, but what's different this time? Millennials are now the largest group within the workforce, surpassing Generation X in 2015, and with them come new ideas. Millennials have different priorities in choosing a job, with flexibility being near the top, and different expectations with how they do business.
Millennials prefer to do business conveniently and cheaply. We can buy clothes, cars, and condos completely online so why isn’t there a dependable online option for buying insurance? Why do independent agents still exist? They've probably never stepped foot in an Independent Insurance Agent's office, but here are 5 reasons why it's time to consider agents as your best option for insurance.
#1 They can save you time and money
The service we provide doesn’t cost you anything extra, it's built into the premium and we get paid by the insurance company. Basically, it costs you the same to have us do the work for you. Take auto insurance for example. You can go online, fill in all the information to get a quote, and pay thousands of dollars to someone you've never met. If you need to file a claim, you handle it. If you're late on a payment, you spend an hour on the phone getting it fixed. If you bought a car and need to add it to the policy, you do it.
Our agency represents several well-known auto insurance companies, meaning you could come into our office and possibly walk away with that same policy at the same price (or maybe even better). With us, you aren't on your own. We can dispute claim settlements, we can take payments, modify policies, and negotiate on your behalf.
We don’t charge by the hour so we can put in a days work on your behalf and you'll never even know about it. Our goal is your satisfaction and to make things as easy as possible for you. Why not let us do the work for you?
# They can provide more options than online resources or captive agents
We've got options you've probably never heard of. Over $6 billion is spent on insurance advertising each year but it all seems to come from the same few companies. Where does that money come from? It comes out of the premium you pay. There are plenty of other companies that opt to save that money because in the end, it leaves more for paying claims and saves you premium.
I've spent weeks quoting some businesses and all they see is the few minutes it takes to go over the final prices and coverages. We typically quote 3-5 companies on each new policy and present you with the best one. Check out our blog entry on how our agency chooses which insurance company to use because price isn’t everything, especially when your home or loved ones are counting on it.
#3 They can provide expert guidance
There are ways you can save money on insurance that you probably aren't aware of. Do you think the insurance company would help you find them? This comes up a lot with Workers Compensation insurance, where there is a standard price but with credits available for Drug Free Workplace, Safety Manuals, and more. There may be cheap upgrades you can make to your house or business that could make a big difference in premium. We have resources and experience to help guide you to savings while still providing the proper coverage.
If you plan to start a business, there's a lot to consider and we can help with the process. Check out our recent blog on how to start a business here and see what insurance you might need for that.
#4 They'll be with you through growth
Your family will probably grow, your business will probably grow, your insurance should grow with it. We represent 5 Fortune 500 insurance companies, we're prepared to assist with your insurance needs no matter how large it grows. We write personal and commercial lines of business and can find something for practically any need.
#5 They provide a more personabe atmosphere
You expect a bulletproof barrier between you and the nameless desk attendant, but we're actually more casual than that. Our staff members have a name (see our directory), an office you can sit in, a desk to look across, and are available for face to face interaction when you need help. There's no big corporate demands to meet and as a family owned business there's always someone to talk to. It's probably more pleasant than you think
Mr Norton, started his first independent insurance agency when the industry was relatively young. Insurance itself has been around since the days commerce centered around ships with sails, but the model of selling to the masses has only been around 100 years or so. Some agents are still crossing the Atlantic but we've adapted to be an online, flexible, and approachable business ready to thrive for future.
If you haven't given an independent agency a try, it might be time to see what they can do for you. Home, condo, rentals, auto, business and bonds, we hope you choose Norton Insurance of Florida.
The views expressed here are the opinion of the author and do not attempt to make any recommendation for insurance coverage. Eligibility is determined by the insurance carrier and not all applicants will qualify. Please contact your licensed insurance agent regarding your area's coverage and eligibility.