The internet makes life easier in many ways, and it makes comparison shopping easier, too, but be sure you’re comparing apples to apples.
More than 70 percent of consumers get quotes on their auto insurance online and 20 percent are actually purchasing their car insurance online.
In this economy, the cost of your insurance is an important deciding factor, but insurance at its best is a service, not a commodity.
A good relationship with your insurance agent can prevent poor insurance decisions and save you money, and such a relationship is not easy to achieve through fill-in-the-blank forms and email conversation.
If you’re among the majority of Americans whose insurance agent has a first and last name instead of a dot.com ender, make the most of your relationship by chatting about these topics:
- Exclusions: This is important with any type of insurance but especially with commercial insurance. Pay special attention to exclusions regarding wind and flood damage as you may think you are covered when you’re not.
- Risk management: A good agent can help you manage risks and prevent claims from happening. Ask your agent how equipment, company policies and employee training can reduce premiums.
- Valuable items: Review scheduled items like jewelry, electronics and artwork on your policy. Do you still own these items and do you have new ones to add?
- Toys: By “toys,” we don’t mean Barbies and LEGOS. Ensure your personal watercraft, boats, RVs and snowmobiles are covered.
- Dependents: As children age, begin driving, go to college and move out on their own, your insurance coverage will change. Keep in touch with your agent to ensure you’ve got the right, most affordable coverage.
- Business exposures: Is business or staffing down? Started a new home-based business? A chat with your agent can make sure you’re probably covered.