gryantmarch2step

I am looking into getting homeowners insurance for the 1st time. So far, I've called a couple insurance carriers to get a quote.

Should I go through an insurance agent or just get the insurance directly through a carrier? What is the benefit of going through an agent? Does it cost money to go through an agent?

__________________
3B~Botticelli/3C~ Corkicelli~Blonde
Faves: B&A Gel, BRHG, ReCoil, KC Knot Today, Curl Junkie CCCC

PW: dmbcurls

xcptnl

I work for an insurance company. I would suggest contacting an independent agency (for example - a State Farm agency can only offer you State Farm insurance) - they will be able to quote numerous companies as they typically represent 5 or more companies. You do not have to pay them - the insurance companies pay them commissions.

But of course this is coming from someone who works for an insurance company that independent agents carry .

__________________
Central Massachusetts

One good reason to only maintain a small circle of friends is that three out of four murders are committed by people who know the victim. ~George Carlin~

In regards to Vagazzling: They just want to get into the goods without worrying about getting scratched up by fake crystals. ~spring1onu~

Kaia

I would call a bunch of agents and see what's the best deal they can give you. We went through a AAA agent, and she found us a pretty good deal.

__________________
*Poster formerly known as Bailey422*

Here's all you have to know about men and women: women are crazy, men are stupid. And the main reason women are crazy is that men are stupid. ~ George Carlin

MichelleBFT

I got several quotes directly from insurance agents (Geiko, Nationwide, one I can't remember and State Farm, which we went with) when I was shopping. I don't really trust companies that claim to check out lots of different companies for you. I found that each company asked for different information when getting quotes and had different requirements, and the broker type situations don't lend themselves to getting a tailored quote from each company, IME. Also if you give your contact information to those broker companies they have to give it to all of the individual companies to write the quotes, and then you end up on who knows how many calling and mailing lists for your trouble.

__________________
"And politically correct is the worst term, not just because it’s dismissive, but because it narrows down the whole social justice spectrum to this idea that it’s about being polite instead of about dismantling the oppressive social structure of power.
Fun Fact: When you actively avoid being “PC,” you’re not being forward-thinking or unique. You’re buying into systems of oppression that have existed since before you were even born, and you’re keeping those systems in place."
Stolen.

LoloDSM

I would go through an independent agent. They know which are the best companies with the broadest coverage, lowest rates, and pay the most for claims. Also, if you ever make a claim, the agent can go to bat for you in dealing with the insurance company.

__________________
Loose botticelli curls and waves
No silicones/no sulfates since March 2008

xcptnl

http://www.iiaba.net/agentlocator/findagent.aspx

__________________
Central Massachusetts

One good reason to only maintain a small circle of friends is that three out of four murders are committed by people who know the victim. ~George Carlin~

In regards to Vagazzling: They just want to get into the goods without worrying about getting scratched up by fake crystals. ~spring1onu~

luvmylocs

who do you have for auto? sometimes you can get a good deal when you have auto/home together. also there are LOTS of things that can make your rates lower like security systems, etc. so make sure you ask for all the deductions that can apply. are you already a homeowner? in texas you have to have homeowners insurance when you close on your mortgage. is it not required in your state? i got my homeowners with my auto carrier which is who i also had renters insurance from.

__________________
a dreamy pisces
please recycle, it matters...
i change lives...through fitness
i'm more relaxed being natural

mrspoppers

I got mine from my State Farm agent because that's who I have my car insurance with. I ended up getting huge multi-line discounts on both my car insurance and my homeowners insurance by doing that. I shopped around, but other carriers couldn't come close. When we bought our house, I didn't even shop around because State Farm did so well before.