Purchasing

• Insurance Brokers: Brokers sell the products of many different insurance companies and therefore can offer an array of choices. Be aware that no one broker represents all companies, so if you would like a selection of quotations to choose from, you should consult with more than one broker and ask which companies each represents.  The primary benefit to using a broker is that they have access and information about a variety of insurance products from several companies at once.
• Insurance Agents: Agents represent the products of only one insurance company. Companies that use their own agents to sell their products are called "direct insurers". Agents may not be able to offer the consumer as wide a range of products as a broker.  However, depending on your needs, most direct insurers offer a broad enough selection to meet the needs of most consumers at a competitive price.  Some agents may also offer “in-house” discounts that a broker cannot.  
• Direct Sellers: Also called "direct-response insurers,” these sellers work like insurance agents in that they generally only sell products from their particular company. The difference is that direct sellers sell their insurance products over the telephone from a central location, rather than through local agents or offices. Geico is an example of a direct seller insurance provider.  A big downfall of direct sellers is that face-to-face contact with the provider is almost non-existent.  The upside is that these companies can often offer lower prices to the consumer.
  

Today many insurance providers are selling insurance over the Internet, offering quotations in rapid time and in some cases even selling policies on-line. Be careful when shopping for insurance over the Internet.  When comparing prices and services, make sure you are comparing apples with apples and oranges with oranges.

Each policy is different and the lowest price may not suit your coverage needs.  The goal is to make sure you and your property are protected when and if you make a claim. Remember to ask the right questions and as many as you need too before you buy.