Homeowner Association Insurance Specialists
Independent Insurance Brokers vs. Captive Agents
There is a big difference between a captive insurance agent and an independent insurance broker.
Captive insurance agents represent and are committed to their insurance company. Captive insurance agents include Farmers Insurance, State Farm Insurance, and Allstate Insurance.
Ask a Farmers Agent – which policy is best?
Answer: Farmers
Ask a State Farm Agent – which policy is best?
Answer: State Farm
Ask an Allstate Agent – which policy is best?
Answer: Allstate
They cannot all be the best.
Only an independent insurance broker, who represents the insured, can provide an unbiased recommendation that clients can rely upon. Independent insurance brokers obtain competitive bids from several insurance companies in order to obtain the best price and policy terms for their clients.
Independent agents provide claims services. Unlike most captive agents, your independent insurance agent will assist you in completing any claims forms and will advocate for you instead of the insurance company.
Independent agents provide their clients with annual reviews to make certain their clients are always receiving the best value for their money. The insurance market changes from time, to time making the annual review process a valuable service.
There is no extra cost for the services provided. Independent agents are paid by each insurance company. Clients pay the same price for a policy regardless of whether they are represented by an independent agent or buy directly from the company.