Question: I am planning to buy fresh insurance on my car, and was surfing the web this morning to look for quotes. I found some websites selling insurance from multiple insurers, and also went to insurers selling insurance directly online. Should I buy insurance from the agent websites, or from direct from the insurance?

Answer: Since no matter who you buy from, you’re going to get the same end product, this is not the criteria which you should have to select your insurance. Don’t worry about buying motor insurance direct, or from the agent, as long as you get the best price and terms.

Your criteria for selecting the right insurance source should be price, terms, personalized service, and helpfulness. If you find that the company is able to beat an online agent on all these needs, then you can buy from the company direct. Instead if you find the agent more helpful and inexpensive than the company, then why should you buy direct?

The company gives a commission to the agent, but not to you. The agents are also able to give you a more personalized service and help you with your quotes, and insurance coverage because they have a stake in the profits unlike a company official who’s just doing her job. That’s why you’ll often find a good agent a better source than buying motor insurance direct from a company. Just get a quote from the company and ask your agent to beat it. She probably will.