These days buying insurance is as easy as going online or picking up a phone. But how do you know if you’ve purchased the right coverage? Is it really the best coverage for your budget? What are your liability limits? Do you have medical exclusions? Will your policy cover a rental car if you’re involved in a collision? Are you covered for theft or vandalism? Is a higher deductible worth it?
Getting the answers to these questions can be confusing and daunting – unless you have a good insurance broker. An insurance professional will advise you on your insurance options and help you find the right coverage for your budget.
A truly independent insurance broker has access to a variety of insurance companies ensuring that you get the benefits of competition when it comes to price and coverage. Beware – some “brokers” are actually agents who only work for one company and can only offer insurance products from that specific company. There’s nothing wrong with this just be aware that you will need to go to other agents or brokers to get a variety of quotes.
A good broker will be able to help answer any of your questions explain your policy and aid you with claims payments and with the general administration of your policy. They stay on top of changes and help you stay protected.
So how do you find the best car insurance broker for you? Here are 6 tips:
- Get personal recommendations from friends and family.
- Look for positive reviews.
- Get the right type of car insurance professional.
- Dig deeper if you have specialized needs.
- Look for personalized advice.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
We’ll address each point in a little more detail below.
1. Personal recommendations.
The best thing you can do when you’re in the market for insurance is to ask those you know and trust for recommendations. People tend to refer car insurance brokers that they’ve had a positive experience with.
2. Look for positive reviews.
In this digital and connected world, it’s fairly easy to find reviews of brokerages or even individual car insurance brokers. You can find reviews on:
- Yelp
- Brokerage Websites
The best reviews are more than just a star rating – they include comments that explain their experience and the value of their broker.
Keep in mind that not many people leave reviews and often those that are very upset are the ones leaving negative reviews. A couple of poor ratings or reviews are not always accurately reflective of a broker. This is especially true in insurance where emotions often run high and understanding of car insurance policies is low.
Now if a particular brokerage has nothing but bad reviews then that’s a good indicator you should stay away!
3. Get the right type of insurance professional.
Insurance brokers can specialize in many types of insurance. Many will specialize in personal insurance which includes car insurance. Others may specialize in different areas of commercial insurance. Make sure you’re working with a broker who is a dedicated car insurance broker or at least specializes in personal insurance.
4. Dig deeper if you have specialized needs.
If you have a unique vehicle or are in an unusual situation or you’re in a high-risk driver category, you’ll want to find a broker who has the expertise to help you. Ask questions to determine if they have knowledge and experience in dealing with your situation. The more they know the better they’ll be able to help you out.
5. Look for personalized advice.
A good broker will be familiar with the products they sell and will have no problem explaining things to you. They may not have the answers to every question, but they’ll be able to get answers within a reasonable time frame. They should also be willing to listen to you and understand your situation.
6. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Any professional faced with a question will be able to answer it quickly confidently and accurately – or they will be open to telling you they’ll need to do more research. Why? Because they know their business and they know how to protect their customers. So don’t be afraid to ask questions—not just about the coverage they are offering but also about their professional experience. Ask a broker how long they’ve been in business how they get paid and how they shop for deals are all great questions when trying to choose the right car insurance broker for your needs. Since insurance is a product where quality matters and because it can often be very hard to shop and compare insurance policies on your own it’s often worth talking to an experienced broker who can help you find the right policy and the best company to suit your specific or specialized needs.
