Insuring a business isn’t like insuring a home or a car. Each company has a unique constellation of ever-changing risks, and to keep your business protected, you need an insurance policy that adequately covers each one.
Unless you’re in the insurance industry yourself, it’s wise to seek out business insurance advice from a professional who wants to protect your best interests. A trusted independent insurance agency may be just what you need.
Why Purchase Business Insurance From an Independent Agency?
If you’ve already begun the process of shopping for business insurance, you might be comparing policy types and individual insurance companies. If you’re like many people, you might not realize the importance of choosing the right kind of insurance agent.
Insurance agents can be divided into two general categories:
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Captive Agents: Represent one insurance carrier and exclusively sell that carrier’s products
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Independent Agents: Are not affiliated with any one carrier and sell products from multiple carriers
If you call a major insurance carrier and discuss your insurance needs with a captive agent, that agent will try to sell you one of their employer’s policies. This is true even if another insurance company offers a more suitable product.
Independent agencies are staffed by independent agents. Because these agents aren’t beholden to any particular company, they can compare policies offered by multiple carriers and help you choose the one that best fits your company.
Discovering the Independent Agency Difference
Choosing an independent insurance agency comes with a wealth of benefits:
Unbiased Advice
Independent agents prioritize their relationships with their customers, and they aren’t employed by an insurance company.
More Options
Because they don’t represent just one carrier, independent insurance agencies can access a wide range of insurance products. After discussing your business’s needs with you, your agent can gather quotes from several companies and help you pick the right one.
Local Experience
More often than not, independent insurance agencies are right in your neighborhood. They’re invested in the local community, and they understand location-specific weather risks and other types of risk that might impact your business.
Claims Assistance
If your company suffers a loss and you need to file a claim, your independent insurance agency is ready to help. They may be able to assist you with gathering documentation and submitting your claim on time.
Even more importantly, your independent agent may serve as your advocate during the claims process. Insurance companies are infamously reluctant to pay claims, and your agent may be able to negotiate a settlement with the insurer.
Ongoing Support
When you’re insuring a business, you don’t just buy a policy and never evaluate it again. Your company’s risk profile is constantly changing. If you don’t have adequate protection, you may discover that a major loss isn’t covered.
However, if you’re so concerned about inadequate coverage that you overpay for insurance, you may be limiting your business’s financial potential.
Fortunately, when you work with an independent insurance agency, you can benefit from your agent’s years of industry experience. By periodically reviewing your policy to ensure that it aligns with your company, your agent can help you protect what you’ve worked hard to build.
Need Business Insurance?
Whether you’re purchasing business insurance for the first time or you’re looking to update your policy, the Hulett Insurance team is ready to show you the difference an independent agency can make.
Our goal isn’t just to sell you insurance. We aim to forge lifelong relationships with our clients, and we take protecting your business personally. Give us a call or fill out our online form to get started with a free quote!
