Buying insurance is not what it used to be. Gone are the days where there was one company to choose from and your local insurance agent was the only gig in town. Nowadays, there are literally thousands of insurance companies to choose from, and the idea of wading through each one of them to find the best deal gives most people a headache.
So, it is no wonder that buying insurance online is a growing popular trend. You never have to leave the comforts of your own home and you can browse at your leisure, be it during normal office hours or three in the morning. Simply fill out the form and you can have car insurance in 5 minutes and print out a bona fide insurance card right from your home computer. Easy peasy.
But as the saying goes, “if something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is”.
Shopping for insurance online may seem like a win-win situation, but how much do you really know about what you are purchasing? Here are several reasons why buying your insurance from a licensed insurance agent is a much better idea than risking everything with an online company.
Misleading online insurance quotes
One of the biggest draws to purchasing insurance online is that you can get quotes from several different companies in a matter of minutes. It all looks great on your computer screen, but most online quoting systems default to bare bones coverage, not truly taking your needs into account and leaving out important aspects like roadside assistance. If you do not read the fine print, your online plan may not provide you with adequate coverage, leaving you in the lurch if you ever have to file a claim. So, while you may find attractive quotes that are far less than your current insurance policy, you may also end up with far less coverage.
Overlooking beneficial policy options
Even if you read all of the fine print and make sure that your online insurance quote includes the correct amount of coverage, you may miss out on a variety of beneficial policy options. Since a computer program does not think intuitively, it will not guide you to certain options unless you specifically look for them. Some online insurance companies encourage you to click through without examining the options at all! A licensed insurance agent has the knowledge and experience to examine your plan and find potential gaps in your coverage. If any gaps are found, they can offer additional features that you may not have previously considered.
Have a question? Good luck!
You are ready to purchase your online plan, but you have a question. After clicking through pages of FAQs and searching the entire site, you are now irritated and frustrated. Two hours have passed that you will never get back and you are no closer to an answer than when you started. So much for quickness and convenience.
We have all been there before.
You could try to call the company, but they are an online company for a reason, so good luck finding a human being to talk to. With a licensed insurance agent, you can ask all of your questions right up front. Even if they don’t have the answer on hand, they can do all of the legwork and get back to you. They may also mention certain policy issues that bring up on-the-spot questions.
So much easier than dealing with a computer.
No local insights
Accidents happen, which is what insurance is for, after all. Fortunately, your online plan will cover the damages. What you need now is a reputable body shop or home repair company in your area that will not only do a good job but complete the repairs in a timely fashion. You may be rolling the dice if you choose your body shop or home repair company the same way you did your insurance company. A licensed insurance agent would know your area well and could provide recommendations that fit with your unique lifestyle, budget, and time constraints.
While buying insurance online seems like a great idea at first, there are just too many things that could go wrong. Don’t risk leaving your family unprotected with an online policy that doesn’t give you all of the facts! Licensed insurance agents, like those at Cedar River Insurance, will take the time to get to know you and your family, offering personalized insurance services that guarantee the best possible coverage. We are dedicated to serving the Okemos community, so give us a call at 517-580-3819 today!
Get in touch with a licensed insurance agent by calling 517-580-3819!