I have used the same insurance agency for more than 30 years.
The price difference isn’t significant in MA because it’s highly regulated.
That said, I had a tree fall on my house and two vehicles three years ago. My agent stepped up and took care of everything. I had a check in my hand in about a week for the cars (1 totaled and the other needed significant body work) and he hooked us up with a contractor to fix the house.
Without the agent, I would have been battling with them for months (as my neighbor did over his home.)
Numerous times over the past decades my agent called me up and suggested changes to the coverage—often resulting in better coverage for less money. In the instances where the changes cost more, the explanation was sensible and put me at ease.
When I opened a business that required some commercial coverage, he was able to write the policies that I needed to get contracts at state universities in three states.
I understand wanting to keep coverage decent at a lower price. But there are “costs” associated with “cheap.” Those are the risks you have to balance.
+1.
But make sure you have a good agent, not an order taker.
You’re right...My luck would be I have a car accident and have to deal with the legal stuff on my own if I didn’t have an agent. Next step is to compare other agencies.
You’re explanation certainly makes sense and nicely written. This is what I needed to hear (read), thanks.
Was that a multi-company independent agent or a single company agent like State Farm? (No complaints about SF as that’s who I have and am most familiar with)
I OWN MY HOUSE FREE & CLEAR.
MANY NEAR ME ALSO DO.
THEY HAVE RAILED AGAINST ME FOR HAVING FULL COVERAGE PROPERTY INSURANCE...
I CAN USUALLY SHUT THEM UP: “IF EVERYTHING BURNS DOWN -—CAN YOU REPLACE IT ALL WITH WHAT IS IN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT”???
THEY CANNOT.......
ANOTHER REASON I CARRY FULL VEHICLE INSURANCE-—UNINSURED MOTORISTS & ALL-—SINCE CAR I BOUGHT IN 1965 IN CALIF——
CANNOT LOSE PAID FOR PROPERTY VS UNINSURED MOTORISTS
ALSO AM HOMESTEADED: COST ME $14-—ONE TIME FEE—GOOD AS LONG AS I AM RESIDING ON/IN PROPERTY.
IF FOR ANY REASON SOMEONE TRIES TO SUE ME-———AND PUSHES TO SELL MY HOUSE: I GET THE FIRST $605,000 IN NET PROCEEDS....