There's a relatively unknown market in the insurance industry that consumers need to know about.
This is a market where a single agent can offer you multiple choices from multiple companies.
This is the independent insurance agency market.When you have an independent agent (IA) who you know and trust, you shouldn't have to find a new agent again.
As an IA you have the ability to "shop" a customer with numerous insurance companies, finding them the best rate and coverage, so they don't have to.
Imagine what happens the next time the renewal comes on your insurance and the premium is suddenly $500 higher than it was before.
With an IA, all you need to do is call.
They have the ability to try and find a similar policy with another company; you haven't changed agents, given personal information to strangers, or gone through the monotonous task of shopping your insurance.
Instead, you left it to an expert.Depending on the size of the agency you are dealing with, they may represent over 20 different companies.
This means you no longer have to go online and fill in the boxes, deal with 1-800 numbers, or "call-around" to different agents, each with one company to choose from.
Why have so few people heard of this market?
While these companies do represent multimillion-dollar organizations, and some of the largest organizations in the world (i.e.
AIG and Zurich), the majority of these agencies are smaller companies, not having the resources to launch advertising campaigns to the mainstream market via television, radio, and other forms of media advertising.
Independent agencies have actually been around longer than the captive market (i.e. Farmers, Allstate, etc), and typically have been known to write the majority of commercial insurance.
Captives have taken a larger percentage of the personal lines (home, auto, etc.) market, even though an IA can generally offer them comparable, if not better, coverage.
This is due to the captive companies having millions of dollars to put into advertising to draw in the consumer.
On the other hand, many people never know what an independent agency even is.
This gives the captive market an obvious advantage, but as people become more educated on this topic, more will look to the independent segment to meet their insurance needs.An IA can obviously bring a lot to the table for any consumer, the real question is: Why are consumers not bringing more of them to the table?
By: Jordan Walt, Independent Agent for AIC Insurance Agency.
A Different Light Shed on the Insurance Industry
There's a relatively unknown market in the insurance industry that consumers need to know about.
This is a market where a single agent can offer you multiple choices from multiple companies.
This is the independent insurance agency market.When you have an independent agent (IA) who you know and trust, you shouldn't have to find a new agent again.
As an IA you have the ability to "shop" a customer with numerous insurance companies, finding them the best rate and coverage, so they don't have to.
Imagine what happens the next time the renewal comes on your insurance and the premium is suddenly $500 higher than it was before.
With an IA, all you need to do is call.
They have the ability to try and find a similar policy with another company; you haven't changed agents, given personal information to strangers, or gone through the monotonous task of shopping your insurance.
Instead, you left it to an expert.Depending on the size...
Is Renters' Insurance Really Necessary?
You and your landlord share a common goal: You both want to ensure the protection of your interests. Obtaining a security deposit from you -- usually ranging from $100 to a full month's rent, and averaging $250 -- is how your landlord obtains a degree of insurance from you. The deposit covers your landlord should you cause any damage to your apartment while you are a tenant. Your landlord, in turn, may keep the deposit if you fail to pay your rent or you leave before the end of your lease. However, if, as a tenant, you keep your end of the bargain -- following the terms of your lease and leaving your apartment in good condition when you leave -- the deposit is refundable.So how do you protect your own interests as a tenant? Renters' insurance.
If you're an apartment-dweller, you're probably accustomed to brochures dangling from your door that advertise various renters' insurance policies. And if you're like many renters, you probably disregard them. But you may want to consider...
Is Renters' Insurance Really Necessary?
Using Life Insurance Wisely
Every family should have a life insurance policy on at least one of the financial providers. A policy should always be in place in case one of the primary breadwinners passes away so that the family will be able to support itself if no other source of income is available after the breadwinner dies. Estate or "Death" taxes can be as high as 55% when the insurance policyholder dies. Many families cannot afford to pay these steep taxes and still maintain the lifestyle that they are accustomed to. Therefore, we have compiled a few tips to help ensure that your family can maximize the benefits they receive from your life insurance policy - and avoid giving so much of it to the government.
First of all, you should know that a portion of your estate will be given to your beneficiaries with a tax exclusion. The number of dollars covered by the exclusion each year varies, but here's a brief overview: in 2004 and 2005, the exclusion was $1.5 million per person. From 2006 through 2008, the...
Using Life Insurance Wisely
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In today's world of direct writers, internet quotes and discount insurance companies, it is easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of being an insurance agent. We insurance agents, while not quite threatened by extinction, are becoming nothing more than glorified order takers.Warren Buffet says that insurance is a commodity and price is the main factor in the market place. It seems that nowadays, lowest price wins, regardless of the other factors. More and more people are turning to direct writers because they believe that 15 minutes and a catchy commercial with a dancing lizard can save them some money. Forget the relationship, forget being able to actually see your insurance agent and forget you if you are $0.01 higher than the "other" guy.So how do we as insurance agents take a stand and be able take back some of our customers? How do we improve our close ratio? How do we change our customers' attitudes about price to the point that leaving you for a few dollars will never cross...
Insurance Agents: Separate yourselves from the crowd
Australian First: New Website Compares up to 10 Car Insurance Quotes for Free
(ContentDesk) April 4, 2006 -- If shopping around for the best car insurance quote excites you as much as visiting the dentist, new Australian financial services company, ARTOG.com.au, have launched an Australian first service that will be music to your ears.
The company allows you to easily compare car insurance quotes from up to ten major insurers.
Not only will this service save you tedious hours on the phone and internet, it could potentially save you thousands of dollars each time you insure by identifying affordable insurance for your circumstances.Everyone knows if you shop around and compare quotes, you will always get a better price, states ARTOG General Manager, Kevin Sherman.
Understandably, people are time poor and would rather spend their free time doing pretty much anything else other than shopping around...
Do You Need A Financial Planner?
No matter how much money you make, it pays to keep on top of money coming in and going out.
Even if you do a good job of that, there are important times in your life when talking with a professional adviser makes sense.Almost every major life event - finding or losing a job, getting married or divorced, having a baby, buying a home -- is likely to have a major impact on your finances.
A new job may mean you are making more money -- no problem there as long as you know the best way to invest it.
Getting married may mean you have a second income to count on, but now you have someone counting on yours as well.
Buying a house means you have to come up with a hefty sum of cash for a down payment, get used to monthly mortgage payments and meet the expense of house repairs.Let's look at what happens if a baby comes into your financial picture.
First, medical bills need to be paid, so having good medical insurance is important.
Few insurance...
Getting The Most Out of Your Travel Deals
The lowest and the cheapest travel deals are not always the best deal. Today, travelers could be overwhelmed by the numerous travel deals being offered. Therefore you should weigh all options before choosing the right one in order to get the most out of it.
The greatest secret to getting an affordable airfare or best travel discount is to know your budget and what do you really want. Additionally, you should shop and compare deals until you run out of options and choose the best among them.
And importantly, always plan ahead.
Nothing is too early when it comes to vacation planning. This will give you ample time to search and choose.
Whether you're a business traveler or planning a family vacation, here are some travel tips to save you money and choose the best deal:
1. Buy your ticket directly. Travel agents usually charge between $15 and $35 per ticket.
2. Buy your tickets all at the same time instead...
Pay as You Drive Car Insurance- a Win-Win Proposition
You can pay as you talk with a cell phone plan, so why not pay as you drive auto insurance? It sounds like a good idea; but would pay as you drive auto insurance work for you?The idea behind pay as you drive auto insurance is simple. Basically its this- if you do not drive very much, you will not pay high insurance premiums. Advocates for this type of insurance policy think that there are many merits to this type of program.What if you car pool to work, or take public transit? You are not using your car very much so why are you paying high premiums. With a pay as you drive auto insurance premiums you would be able to quite literally pay as you go. Another situation where this plan would be of benefit is that of many retirees who have winter homes in temperate climates, the 'snowbirds' living in Florida or Arizona six months of the year and six months in New York or Toronto for example.
Essentially the insurance companies would set an average driving amount for each car type. It...
Pay as You Drive Car Insurance- a Win-Win Proposition
Free Baby Shower Invitations
Free baby shower invitations are the best! Everyone knows that the best things in life are free. The best baby shower invitations are also free! There are many places that you can go on the Internet to find free invitations for your baby shower. Why pay for something that you can get for free? Baby shower invitations let everyone know the time and place of the celebration of the newborn or soon to be born arrival. Free invitations are an option that you should definitely consider. There are some...
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Surgical Facelifts Remain the Gold Standard for Facial Rejuvenation
Face-lifting techniques are constantly being revised and updated by many prominent plastic surgeons throughout the world. A recent trend has been towards less invasive, less risky procedures alternately known as "Short-scar" or "Mini-facelifts." At the Center For Cosmetic Surgery, Andrew Wolfe M.D. and Steven Vath M.D. have embraced the new developments in an effort to decrease the cost, risk, and recovery associated with facial rejuvenation surgery. While full facelifts are still indicated...
Insurance
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Gourmet Gift Baskets
The way to someone's heart is through the stomach. Nothing can win hearts better than gourmet food. A gourmet gift basket full of the finest exotic foods can pamper even the most discerning of your friends and loved ones.
Elaborate and sumptuous banquets are no longer a privilege of kings alone. A gourmet gift basket gives an equally royal experience.
Each basket has a unique selection of rare delicacies that are like music to the taste buds of the most discriminating connoisseurs....
gift basket Gourmet Gift Baskets
Insurance A Different Light Shed on the Insurance Industry sample resume 