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How to find an independant homeowner's insurance agent?

13 years ago

How do I find one? I tried to get a lower rate for all our insurance with State Farm and it was a complete screw up! Now we can't get our first payment back even tho the insurance wasn't supposed to go into effect til June 1 and was canceled totally on May 29. We had one policy with them previously for a home we own and rent out. Now I want to find a different company.

I'm 100 miles away. How do I go about finding an independent that can take the facts and quote me from several different companies all at once?

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Comments (5)

sushipup1
13 years ago
What you want is a broker. But an independent broker won't be able to get you quotes for AllState, Farmers and other companies that sell only thru their franchise agents.
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
13 years ago
But an independent broker won't be able to get you quotes for AllState, Farmers and other companies that sell only thru their franchise agents.
My insurance agency/agent, can give me quotes on Allstate as well as numerous companies.
You might check your Yellow Pages for an agent that lists several companies they sell for.

Sue
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Thanks for all of the very helpful replies. You've given me much to consider. I'm quickly learning that in shopping around, you aren't necessarily comparing apples to apples, and you really have to know what level of insurance you desire and you need to know what all of the "add-ons" that they often package together actually are. I find this all incredibly dull and tedious, but also recognize that it is of the utmost importance. We have been with Farmers for many years, working with the same agent (not broker; I see pros and cons of using a broker). I'm old-school enough to place value on the relationship that has been established with this agent's office. It's just really nice to be able to call his office and have his long-time assistant know exactly who I am (and I know her). After looking at a few other quotes, it appears that we will likely just stay where we are. We have excellent coverage with a company we trust, so while the premiums have risen, I do understand that there are outlying factors that are not within our control affecting these costs. We will still discuss possible ways of lowering our premium with our agent, but I have a feeling it will just mean taking away certain coverages, and I know we won't want to go there.
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davidro1
13 years ago
It is true that brokers often seem able to circumvent the closed systems that many companies have.

Many brokers have sufficient access to the information, so they can give the information necessary to appear they are also brokering for Company XYZ.

So, it is true that brokers can get quotes, or appear to be getting quotes.

To the OP: either web searching or through any other means, find a broker. Ask him/her what group, association, or whatever-they-call-it that he or she belongs to. Get that association. Contact them. Get a few more names from them.

Ask each broker which firms they send most of their business to. No matter how impartial they seem to be, with their quotes, they will ultimately find ways to send most of their customers to a small number of insurance carriers. One way or another, you will be channeled into a small number of good choices. They may all be good ones. But speak to another broker.

hth
joyfulguy
13 years ago
Got friends who've had substantial experience in the ways of the world and whose judgements you trust?

Especially if in the area where the property is situated, possibly, though sometimes brokers at a distance will give responsible service, as well.

Check with such people.

ole joyful
tracykelley1
13 years ago
I asked around in my circle and they led me to a few good insurance companies whom I checked on the net. Zeroed in on The Hartford for car and home insurance, 2 years ago; they seem to be fine so far.

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