Why choose an independent agent?
There are different sources of insurance. Some people think it doesn’t really matter where they buy their insurance. But this misconception could be costing them money, service, and protection. Buying insurance isn’t like buying bread or milk. Insurance is an important safety net for your family, your home, your car, and your business. Where you buy it from matters as much as what you buy. Independent agents give you the best of both worlds. Scroll down to learn more.
There are three sources for insurance:
1) Captive Agents, who can sell you the insurance of only one company.
- For example, when you call Safety Insurance, you can only get policies offered by Safety Insurance.
2) Telephone Representatives, who can offer you the insurance of one company, and only on the telephone.
- For example, when you call Progressive, you can only get insurance offered by Progressive.
- You cannot go to the the telephone agent's office and talk to him or her in person.
- The telephone representative cannot stand in line at the registry to get your plates for you.
3) Independent Insurance Agents, who represent an average of eight insurance companies, and research with these firms to find you the best combination of price, coverage, and service. Independent agents are local and have strong client and community ties.
- Atlantic Insurance is an independent insurance agency.
- You can visit our Quincy or Canton office to talk to an Atlantic Insurance agent in person whenever you want to. (During business hours, of course!)
- We can't tell you the number of times we've stood in line at the registry to get our clients' new plates for them.
THE BENEFITS OF AN INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENT
Independent insurance agents…
- Give you excellent service and competitive prices because independent insurance agents have access to insurance coverage from more than one company.
- Are licensed professionals with strong client and community ties.
- Unlike other agents, are not beholden to any one company; thus, you won’t need to change agencies as your insurance and service needs change.
- Assist you when you have a claim.
- Are your personal consultants working with you as you figure out your needs.
- Offer you a choice of insurance plans and programs.
- Are value hunters who look after your pocketbook in finding the best combination of price, coverage, and service.
- Offer one-stop shopping for a full range of insurance products – home, renter's, auto, business, life, boat, health, workman's comp, and much more.
- Can periodically review your insurance coverage to keep up with your changing needs.
- Treat you as a person, not as another number.
Client satisfaction is the key to an independent agent’s livelihood. So serving you is an independent agent's most important concern.
Below are some of the insurance companies with which we research to get the policies that best meet your needs:
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Let us find the right insurance coverage for you.
Posts from our Blog about independent agents that you may find helpful:
When was the last time you reviewed your homeowners and auto insurance policies? If it’s been more than a year, it may be time to check-in. Both large and small life changes can affect your coverage needs, but it’s easy to forget in the bustle of everyday life. January is a perfect time to sit down with your policy documents or reach out so we can discuss the state of your coverage. Not sure if a check-in would benefit you? Benefits of Reviewing Your Policies Savings: Checking in can make you aware of certain discounts you may qualify for. Maybe you’ve maintained a record of safe driving or installed a home security system, which could both lower your premiums in some cases. Information Gathering: Do you have an up-and-coming teen driver or a large home renovation in the works? Let’s talk about these life changes before they happen, and look at how they may impact your coverage and premiums. New Asset Protection: Purchasing a new car or other large asset, such as luxury jewelry, artwork or antiques, may require updates to your insurance policy. When to Update Your Coverage Home Renovations: Finishing your basement, building an addition to your house or adding outdoor structures will likely require changes to your coverage. It’s important to have enough coverage for the updated replacement cost of your home. Life Changes: Getting married or divorced, having a baby, moving or having a child reach driving age are all life events that should prompt a discussion about your coverage needs. Car Finances: Buying a new car, getting a new auto loan or paying off your current loan can have implications for your car insurance. Reach out to make sure you have the right policies. Homebuying: A home purchase usually requires a new or updated homeowners insurance policy. You may be able to bundle your home and auto coverage for potential savings. A new year can be a great time to check in about your insurance coverage. Get in touch to review your current policies and discuss whether changes are needed.
In the past few years, credit card balances have trended upward nationally. While debt may be an unfortunate fact of life, there are steps you can take to improve your finances. Paying down debt takes time, but you’ll feel less stressed if you can maintain control over your budget and build your savings instead of making debt payments. Whether you’re struggling with credit card balances, medical debt or loans, these tips could help you create a solid foundation for your financial life and find an approach to managing debt that works for you. 1. Start budgeting. Making a budget is the first step towards getting — and staying — out of debt. Sticking to a budget will help you track the money coming in and going out of your accounts so you can avoid overspending. You can categorize your expenses and identify what to cut back on. You can also use your budget to determine how much debt you can pay off each month. 2. Choose a debt payoff method. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed by debt. If you don’t know where to start, consider using one of these two popular payment approaches: The Snowball Method : Start with your lowest balance and throw everything you can at it while making the minimum payment on everything else. This approach helps you reach your first “win” faster, which can motivate you to keep going. The Avalanche Method : Start with the loan or credit card that has the highest interest rate. This method may take longer to clinch your first victory, but it will help you save on interest in the long run. 3. Get help from a professional. If you can’t or don’t want to do it alone, consult a professional for help. Credit Counseling : You may find this through a nonprofit organization with certified counselors. You can discuss your finances, then they can help you make a plan for paying off debt and gaining control of your money. Debt Consolidation Services : Also known as debt relief, these companies could help you consolidate multiple balances into a single payment. They may also negotiate with your creditors to pay off your debt for less than you owe, but be sure to use a reputable company. Financial Planners : If you’re looking for a long-term guide, financial planners can help you manage your budget, savings and debt to support your goals. Managing debt takes time, but it’s worth it. If you have questions about your homeowners, renters or auto insurance (financial or otherwise), reach out today.
Do you have the right amount of property coverage? This question is an important one to ask each year. Life changes and the passage of time can affect the cost of rebuilding your home or replacing your vehicle. Want to make sure you’d be covered in the case of an unexpected event? Take a quick look at these examples and reach out if you’d like to check in. Auto Coverage Say you’ve been driving since you were 16 and have never needed to file a claim. Then, one day you accidentally hit a pole in a parking lot in a moment of distraction. Even a minor incident like this could end up causing thousands of dollars in damage. If you have collision coverage with a manageable deductible as well as rental car coverage, you’ll most likely end up facing far less financial strain than if you were underinsured. Homeowners Coverage Here’s another example: Imagine that an ongoing lumber shortage has increased homebuilding costs by thousands of dollars. If a natural disaster were to severely damage your home, you want to make sure your policy would cover the rebuilding costs no matter what. Upcoming or Recent Changes Remember, life events like getting married, moving, gaining or losing income, and when a teen starts driving can all affect your coverage needs and options. Knowing you have the right policy can help bring peace of mind as well as better financial security. As 2021 gets going, reach out to make sure you’re adequately covered this year.
