Do I need a car insurance agent?

The internet has made buying car insurance online pretty straight forward and easy. But what about those situations when you aren’t sure what coverages you need?

If you’ve ever read your auto insurance policy, you know there is a lot of legal mumbo jumbo and it’s just not very much fun to read. Even experience insurance agents will tell you they don’t particularly like having to dig into the policy language to decipher coverages. If they’re smart, they won’t even attempt to, as one of the biggest mistakes agents can make is misinterpreting a policy and telling an insured they have coverage when, in fact, they don’t.

For those times when you have coverage issues that may need professional guidance such as kids in college with a car, business use of a personal vehicle, personal use of an employer-provided car, titling and ownership issues and other complicated car insurance scenarios, you may be better off talking to an agent or a company representative than going at it alone.

When you buy car insurance online from companies like GEICO or Progressive, you have the option to discuss your coverages with a licensed agent. Simply by picking up the phone, you can explain your situation and get help in choosing the right auto insurance coverages. If you currently have coverage with a local agent, you can also discuss your coverage needs with your agent and get professional guidance into the right coverage.

The majority of car insurance buyers have pretty straight forward insurance needs. You may be the only named insured or you may have a spouse on your policy as well. Your cars are owned and titled in your name and they are used primarily for pleasure use or to commute to and from work. You may have a lienholder on the vehicle, which needs to be listed on your car insurance policy. This is as basic as it gets when buying car insurance and it can easily be done by the consumer online.

If you have any questions about which deductibles to choose for comprehensive or collision coverage, speak to an agent. Liability insurance is the most important financial protection you can buy, so do NOT skimp on this coverage in an attempt to lower your auto insurance rates. Liability insurance is a relatively cheap coverage compared to the physical damage coverages, so buy enough to protect your financial worth in case you are sued for being negligent in an accident. If your net worth is higher than the limits offered by your insurance company, consider purchasing an umbrella policy to give you the added coverage you need.

The choice of buying car insurance yourself or having the guidance of an insurance agent is up to you. In most cases, online car insurance companies provide the information you need to make an educated buying decision, but if there is any doubt in your mind about what coverage you need, don’t hesitate to contact an agent or pick up the phone and call your online auto insurance company.