This Article is publish in the Mutual Benefit Group :
http://www.mutualbenefitgroup.com/insurance-101/personal-insurance-101/7-reasons-to-choose-an-independent-agent/
We found it very interesting and wanted you to have a look at it:

7 Reasons to Choose an Independent Agent

HOME \ INSURANCE 101 \ PERSONAL INSURANCE 101 \ 7 REASONS TO CHOOSE AN INDEPENDENT AGENT
Insurance can be a complicated purchase. You’re not buying bread or milk. You’re buying a promise of protection that could potentially make or break your financial well-being. How do you know that you’re making the right choices about coverage? Are you sure you’re getting the best possible value for your dollar? The options can seem bewildering.

Mutual Benefit has sold its coverage exclusively through independent agents for over 100 years. We’ve seen first-hand how the advice and advocacy of agents benefit our policyholders. Here are seven reasons why we believe the independent agency experience benefits you:

They give you a choice – Independent agents represent many different insurance companies that offer a wide variety of coverage options and price points. Most on average sell for five to eight different insurance companies. There’s no need for you to accept one quote from one company, and there’s no need for you to spend time filling out many different online applications to get your own quote comparisons. With their connections and their knowledge of the market, agents can often find a better value for your insurance dollar than you might find searching on your own. Agents do the shopping. You do the saving. They find you the right blend of price, coverage, and service.
They are licensed experts – Independents can explain the complexities of insurance in simple terms, helping you make smart decisions. They make a career out of assessing their customers’ insurance needs and matching them with the insurance carrier best equipped to meet those needs at a price the customer can afford. Think about it. While you might research wording for wills on the Internet, you’ll likely go to an attorney to ensure that the document is drawn up correctly. Why wouldn’t you seek the advice of a licensed insurance professional to be certain that your home, your auto, or your business is properly protected?
They are personal advisers – Agents not only find you competitive pricing, they make sure you are adequately covered. Working with you face-to-face, your agent becomes your personal adviser, taking the time to listen to you and understand your individual needs. They know it’s not just about finding a price you can afford; it’s also about making certain you are appropriately covered so that you don’t end up insurance-poor if you do suffer a loss.
They are your advocate – If you have a billing or claim concern, or need to change your coverage, your agent can be your advocate, working with the insurance company on your behalf.
They are right around the corner – Independent agents are your neighbors…they share your interest in the community where you live, and understand the benefits and challenges of living in your locale. They are often highly involved in the community, sponsoring youth sports teams, buying from your local businesses, supporting school organizations, and voicing opinions at the monthly Chamber of Commerce meeting. They are right around the corner, ready to help.
They offer one-stop shopping – Independent agents can often meet all of your insurance needs with the companies they represent, providing auto, home, renter’s, and business coverage. Many offer life and health insurance as well.
They are consultants for a lifetime – Independent agents periodically review your coverage. They are there to help you through all the changes in your life, whether you’re going from renting an apartment to buying a home, starting a business, getting married, renovating your home, adding a teen driver to your auto policy, or looking to cover that retirement condo.

from Ed Cuellar Insurance Agency http://edcuellar.com/2017/01/24/350/
via http://edcuellar.com

Buying Home Insurance

What You Need To Know Before Buying Home Insurance

A home is a significant investment. Your hard earned cash pays for the property and all of the items inside. It can take years to make a house feel like a home finally, and the last thing that you want is to lose it all in a disaster and not have any coverage to help your pay for the costs.

It’s imperative that you have your home protected in case of fires, a natural disaster, theft and more. Although homeowners insurance isn’t something that you should pass up on, there are still a few points that you need to know and consider before you purchase.

Points You Need to Understand

When it comes to buying insurance, you should never jump into buying the first policy that you come across. Investing in insurance is a decision that you need to think about thoroughly.

Not every homeowner will want the same type of insurance; there are various factors you should take into consideration to help you find a policy that will suit your needs. Do your research so that when it comes to selecting your insurance, you know what you’re looking for and doing.

Home Insurance Is Necessary

As the property owner, you’re the only one who can choose to protect your property. Without coverage for all of your personal belongings and property, if anything were to happen in your house, you’d have to pay for the costs out of pocket.

Consider Your Deductible

Before an insurance provider pays for any costs that you’re claiming, you must first pay your deductible. The lower your deductible, the less you’ll pay in the event of something happening to your property, but the higher your premium becomes. You need to consider your deductible and choose a cost that suits you the best.

Discounts

When taking out your insurance policy, it is worth checking if you qualify for any discounts. For example, you may be entitled to a discount if your home has a secure alarm system, deadbolts and an upgraded plumbing and electrical system. Insurance agents will be more than happy to discuss your options with you, so take the time to find out which policy would best suit your needs regarding coverage and price.

How Much Coverage Do You Need?

The more coverage you have, the less money you will need to pay in the event of a disaster. However, you don’t want to be over-insured as this can cost you more money than it’s worth. Ideally, you need to find the perfect amount of coverage that suits your circumstances best. In some cases, an insurance provider will make the decision on how much coverage your property and belongings needs.

Carefully Read the Policy

Let’s stress how important it is that you thoroughly read over your policy. When you invest in home insurance, the policy becomes a legal contract. All of your rights and your insurance provider’s rights are written clearly, and if you don’t look at it carefully, there could be some important points that you miss. For example, you may find that some insurance won’t cover you for certain natural disasters, so depending on where you live, you may want to consider getting extra coverage.

from Ed Cuellar Insurance Agency http://edcuellar.com/2017/01/03/buying-home-insurance/
via http://edcuellar.com