Who Will Try to Steer Your Choice of Homeowners Insurance Companies?
Who Will Try to Steer Your Choice of Homeowners Insurance Companies?
Have you ever felt there are forces around you, trying to guide your decisions? If you have ever purchased a home, you probably have. You will get advice from just about everyone on where to get your mortgage, who should conduct the home’s inspection, who should do the search and insure the title, and where to get your homeowners’ insurance.
To be honest, some of these referrals can be helpful. After all, most people only go through the home buying process several times in their lives. Getting advice can be helpful. But you should also know there could be a method to this “guidance”.
In many cases, real estate professionals may get a referral incentive from a mortgage company, title company or home inspector. They may have friends or buddies in various real estate-related areas. Their cousin Billy may have just gotten his first job selling insurance.
So who may be trying to steer you to choose whom as a homeowners’ insurance company? It could be your real estate agent, your mortgage broker or anyone else involved in the process. Should you listen to these recommendations? Sure. But always remember it is your choice and you should choose a provider best for you.
We, of course, would suggest seeking out an independent insurance agent. While some agents are captive to a single company, independent agents have access to represent the products of multiple companies. This allows an independent agent to shop for you, seeking the best rates and coverage. The decision, of course, is still yours.
Getting recommendations and referrals for products and services can be a big help. This is particularly true when searching for seldom used services. But you should always remember who is steering you and why. We suggest doing what’s best for you, and we believe that is contacting one of our independent insurance agents. Their agenda is working for you.