Should you Approach an Agent when Buying Car Insurance

A decade ago, the one single way to get an insurance policy was from an agent. However, now things have changed a lot. You can get insurance policies online. Customers now see that buying insurance policies online is very convenient. Agents cannot manipulate you or sell you fake policies. However, the importance of agents is still relevant. Here are the benefits of getting car insurance online as well as from agents.

From where can you get car insurance policies?

You can get car insurance from various channels. There are:

1. Through agents: You’ll find two types of agents- captive agents and independent agents.
       Captive agents: A captive agent is one who sells the products of only one insurance provider. He or she only cares about getting business of one company. This agent handles all queries of the customer even when the agency has a customer support department.
       Independent agents: They sell the products of several insurance providers.

2. Through dealerships: When buying cars from dealerships, you’ll get the option of getting car insurance from the dealer. Most dealerships have partnerships with insurance providers. Do your own research on these policies as they may not be the most cost-effective one for you. Read the terms and conditions page carefully before buying.

3. Buying online: This is the most reliable and hassle-free way to go. You can get the benefits of premium discounts and the ability to maintain your policy easily. When buying online, you can also compare various plans to find out the best deal.

Benefits of getting the insurance from an agent

There are several benefits of doing so. They are:

1. Getting personalized service: Agents offer tailor-made solutions. If you are not tech-savvy, reaching out to an agent is the best way to get explanations.

2. Agents know your area: Local agents know the area well, and that will benefit you a lot when you are filing a claim. The agent will tell you about motor body shops and other shops nearby from where you can get all the repairs done, and this shall help you a lot to get your claim.

3. Discount bundles: If you buy several policies from the same insurer, agents can give you discount bundles which save you a lot of money down the line.

Here’s what to know before getting the help of an agent

1. Verify if the agent is genuine or not

2. Don’t pay with cash, but pay with cheques and debit/credit card

3. Get a receipt every time

4. Check the policy coverage carefully

5. Check for special and discounts

Benefits of getting insurance online

1. It is fast and convenient

2. You save more since processing and distribution costs are eliminated when buying online. This lowers the premium.

3. You understand the product better. All the documents are online and you can study them in your own time.

4. Buying policies online is very secure. Websites follow international security rules, and so these websites are very safe.

5. Policies are easier to maintain online. Online, you can download documentation at will, renew when the time comes, pay EMIs, and much more.

Buying both from agents and from online has their own benefits. It is up to you to see which one is most suited to you.