"ARE THE SERVICES OF A BROKER BENEFICIAL FOR YOUR PERSONAL AND BUSINESS INSURANCE?"
Q: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN AGENT AND A BROKER?
A: ALTHOUGH YOU HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF BEING ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH A LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE, AN AGENT IS CAPTIVE MEANING HE OR SHE REPRESENTS ONLY 1 COMPANY. A BROKER ON THE OTHER HAND PROVIDES YOU LOCAL SERVICE AND THE ADDED STRENGTH REPRESENTING SEVERAL INSURANCE CARRIERS.
Q: WHAT IS A DIRECT WRITER?
A: THESE INSURANCE OUTLETS TYPICALLY PROVIDE NO LOCAL SERVICE AND CONDUCT THEIR BUSINESS OVER THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE.
Q: DO BROKERS COST MORE TO THE CONSUMER?
A: DIRECT WRITERS SOMETIMES TOUT THAT THEY HAVE DONE AWAY WITH THE MIDDLEMAN. ONE POPULAR DIRECT WRITER HAS AN ANNUAL ADVERTISING BUDGET OF MORE THAN $800,000,000.00 PLUS THE ADDED EXPENSE OF LABOR TO REPLACE THE SERVICE NORMALLY HANDLED BY THE LOCAL BROKER’S OFFICE.
Q: WHO HANDLES MY DAY TO DAY SERVICE AND CLAIMS ASSISTANCE?
A: YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY BROKER WOULD BE YOUR INITIAL AND ONGOING CONTACT FOR CLAIMS AND SERVICE ASSISTANCE. DIRECT WRITERS SERVICE YOUR NEEDS OVER THE PHONE OR INTERNET
