Businesses in Alabama have a lot to think about on a daily basis: bottom lines, quarterly projections, employee satisfaction—the list goes on and on. For ultimate peace of mind while you build your organization’s future, you need insurance options perfectly suited to protect your investment, assets, and workers. And if you want to find the best insurance policies, working with independent insurance agents is one of the best options.
Independent insurance agencies provide insurance advice, policy options, and some of the best rates available, because they represent multiple insurance companies. With local support, choosing the right business insurance policy for your Alabama business or organization doesn’t have to be an overwhelming process. Below are some of the main benefits you get when you choose independent insurance agents instead of captive agents like State Farm, Allstate, GEICO, or Country Financial.
What is a Captive Insurance Agent? How is an Independent Agent Different?
These agents are called “captive” because they only sell insurance products for the insurance company that employs them. For instance, a State Farm agent can only offer and sell State Farm products—the same holds true for Allstate, GEICO, and Country Financial agents.
Independent insurance agents don’t have these restrictions, because they represent numerous insurance companies and are not employed by the insurance companies they represent, which is why they are “independent.”
Benefits of Choosing an Independent Agent
Everything You Need in One Place
An amazing advantage to choosing independent insurance agents is that everything you need is in one place. Independent agencies can provide all of the basic types of insurance that a business might need, from commercial auto insurance to workers’ comp. The best insurance agents can even provide specialty insurance for organizations with unique coverage needs, like religious institutions, hospitals, farms, and more.
Having all of the insurance policies you need in one place simplifies the process so that you don’t have to look elsewhere or scramble to piece together the right coverage. It also allows you to depend on one agency you trust, making managing your insurance policies much easier.
Types of Business & Specialty Insurance You May Need
- Business income insurance
- Commercial auto insurance
- Commercial property insurance
- Commercial and/or professional liability insurance
- Workers’ compensation
- Technology insurance
- Builders risk insurance
- More!
Personalized Approach
Unlike captive agents, independent insurance agents are much more personalized in how they care for their clients. That’s because they have the flexibility to bring customized solutions to each account due to the wide range of insurance companies they represent. Each client is treated as an individual as the agent gets to know them and their personal situation.
A personalized approach to your insurance policy is incredibly important since every situation is unique. There is never going to be a single insurance policy that is the perfect fit for every organization and what they need coverage for. That’s what makes the flexibility and customization options of independent brokerages so attractive to business owners.
Help With Complications or Issues
An independent insurance agency provides a team of expert decision-makers who can help you every step of the way. They will act as your advocates when it comes to navigating health insurance issues or concerns. For instance, you may have a bill that isn’t quite adding up, or you may be uncertain about what your coverage includes.
Independent insurance agents are your advocates and advisers, ensuring you get everything that you need. They can provide clarity so that you fully understand what your policy covers and how much it costs.
Local Assistance
As the name suggests, national firms are widespread and aren’t usually located locally. On the other hand, an independent insurance agency can be located right where you live. There are many advantages to this, as the agents will understand the benefits and challenges of living within your community in Alabama.
Using a local agency also ensures easier and faster communication with your insurance agent. With this kind of boots-on-the-ground expertise, you can rest assured that someone is always re-evaluating your insurance program to make sure it is in sync with the changing needs and risk exposures associated with your organization.
Better Options
Not every type of insurance agency or firm provides many options when it comes to policies. An advantage you get with independent agencies is the ability to explore policies from multiple insurance carriers. This allows you to choose policies that provide the precise coverage options or price points you desire.
You will also be able to navigate your options much faster, as the agency will have connections with these insurance carriers and can help you find the right fit for your situation. You don’t have to worry about time-consuming research or shopping coverage with multiple captive agents—it’s all handled for you in a comprehensive, step-by-step process.
Get the Best Insurance Coverage With Pepper, Johnstone & Company
At Pepper, Johnstone & Company, our mission is to simplify the process of finding insurance for the businesses and organizations that keep Alabama the critical hub of commerce and progress that it is. We help you every step of the way to connect you with the best policies, offered by A+-rated insurance companies you know and trust that will fit your situation and your budget.
Do you need an insurance policy for your North Alabama business? Call Pepper, Johnstone & Company at 256-232-7818 to speak with one of our insurance agents regarding your policy options.
Don’t Try to Find the Right Insurance Policy on Your Own; let Pepper, Johnstone & Company Help!
With so many insurance policies out there, it can be difficult to find the right policy that fits the needs of your business. Choosing independent insurance agents gives you access to true local experts and all of the policy options you could possibly need. At Pepper, Johnstone & Company, we strive to provide our clients with the best policies so that they can feel confident when making a decision. Call us today at 256-232-7818 to ask about our insurance services in Athens or Huntsville, Alabama.