Published in Clifton Park Neighbors Magazine – Spring, 2021 By Don Ferlazzo, Agent/Agency Owner As a consumer, you have many options when it comes to purchasing auto and home insurance. You could call an 800 number and speak with a company representative who sells you a policy in just 15 minutes. You could call an insurance broker who “shops” for you. You could even go online and set up your own policy without ever talking with a human at all. But there’s another option that makes a lot more sense than any of these – working with a licensed, local, independent agent. There’s a common misconception that this is the harder, more expensive option, but in reality, working with a local agent will save you time and money while providing many other important benefits. Here are just a few: 1. Expert Advice – When setting up your policies, your agent will evaluate your needs and recommend the proper limits to protect your family and eliminate coverage gaps. He or she knows the right questions to ask and will explain how coverages apply, building the right policies for your specific situation. Plus, that person will be available to adjust your policies as your needs change. Without the help of a local agent, you are at risk of selecting the wrong limits or optional coverages, which can come back to haunt you when disaster strikes. 2. Familiarity and Service – When you have a local agent, you can be confident you’ll speak with the same people every time you call with a question or a policy change request. The staff in your agent’s local office will know you by name and have detailed notes of your previous interactions, so you won’t need to waste time explaining the background of your situation when asking for assistance. This is a huge benefit, especially when dealing with more complicated matters such as billing or claims. 3. Claim Guidance – Speaking of claims, having a local, knowledgeable agent in your corner is instrumental to a smooth and efficient claims process. It starts when you call into the office to inquire about filing a claim, as your agent can explain coverage availability without opening an unnecessary claim that hurts your rate or insurability down the road. If you and your agent determine filing a claim is appropriate, he or she will file the claim for you and help guide you through the rest of the claims process. 4. Convenience – Having an agent with a physical office in your community is a very desirable benefit. Whether you want to come in to pay a bill, get printed copies of your insurance documents or just sit down to talk face-to-face about your situation, your local agency is there for you. Plus, you still get the 24/7 convenience of your insurance company’s website, mobile app and 800 number, should you need additional assistance outside of regular business hours. 5. Community Impact – It’s often overlooked, but your local agent has a major impact on the community in which you live. Unlike the big national call centers, your local agency is employing people who live in your town, sponsoring your kids’ t-ball team and volunteering at your local animal shelter. When you elect to purchase your insurance from a local agent, you are also contributing to your community and helping to make it a better place for everyone. These are just some of the benefits our clients enjoy here at Foursurance. On top of that, we are also experts on the products we offer, working hard to identify eligible discounts and helping clients qualify for new ones. If you’d like to experience Foursurance difference just give us a call at 518-978-4044, e-mail me directly at don@foursurance.com or contact us using the button below.