Going Local: Why Choosing a Local Insurance Agent Benefits YOU.

A common question from consumers when discussing the insurance industry is “Why hire an agent?  Why not go directly to the insurance company?”  We understand why this subject comes up.  To most people, hiring an agent might look like hiring a “middle man”, and that can seem like extra hassle in an already stressful situation such as choosing and purchasing insurance.

However, there are actually many benefits of having a local insurance agent, and these benefits make insurance easier for you in the long run.

So, why go to a local agent?

Service

Customer service is a huge factor in consumer satisfaction with a business, and while insurance companies are great at many things, customer service is an area they struggle with.  It has very little to do with their “skills”, but rather, with the fact that they are not set up to handle the influx of calls they get on a daily basis from clients who are calling with questions, to file claims/complaints, etc.  There are just not enough employees to take on all of those phone calls.

When you have an insurance agent, you have a “personal contact” within the industry.  We build a relationship with our clients, and we are always ready to help answer your questions either by phone or a face-to-face meeting.  If calls need to be made to the insurance company, we take care of the hard stuff for you!

Local Knowledge and Community Involvement

Insurance companies are often large-scale, and are usually on a national, or at least a regional, level.  Insurance agents on the other hand, like us here at Carroll Marshall Insurance, are local, and are directly involved in the community where you work and live.  This means stepping up alongside other local businesses and supporting charities in our cities and towns, helping fund programs for kids, and more.  Check out your kids’ little league sponsors.  You might be surprised to find that an insurance agent is listed somewhere on there!

Not only do local agents support local causes, but they are also more knowledgeable about local insurance needs.  For example, an agent here in Central Florida will know who is at a higher risk for flooding, and how they need to adjust their coverage to compensate for that.  An insurance salesman at a national company will not likely be as familiar with the individual needs of clients in particular areas.

In other words, a Polk County agent is the best one to serve Polk County clients!

Best Rates

While you can easily purchase your insurance policies directly from a company, you might be surprised to know that the lowest rate they offer to you isn’t the same as the lowest rate they offer to you through us.  Local insurance agents are one of the best ways to ensure that you are getting the best possible rates on your coverage.  Since we automatically compare policies from multiple companies, we take the guesswork out of purchasing insurance.  We are essentially your “personal shoppers”.  We can present the best prices for you from the top-rated companies available.

We hope this has helped clear up why local insurance agents are important to choosing and providing coverage for you and your family.  At Carroll Marshall Insurance, we don’t want to be a “middle man”.  We want to be a family friend who is ready to make sure you are protected against whatever life throws your way.  We value our clients and are so glad to be part of the Winter Haven community!