In your professional and personal life, you’ve probably asked yourself how necessary an insurance agent is. Working with a direct writer might seem like the easiest choice when it comes to insurance. But the easy option isn’t always the best fit for your unique needs, especially when navigating the complexities of Property Casualty insurance.
Whether you’re selecting a policy, filing a claim, or wondering about specific concerns like umbrella coverage and non-admitted carriers, an independent insurance agent has the freedom to provide personalized guidance and solutions. With access to multiple insurance companies, independent insurance agents like our team at Holmes Murphy can write insurance in all states and offer expertise across industries.
As you evaluate your insurance strategy for 2026 and beyond, here’s what you should consider when deciding between out-of-the-box service provided by direct writers and the customized care of an independent insurance brokerage.
Expertise and Guidance
Independent agents are licensed professionals with in-depth knowledge of insurance policies, industry trends, and state requirements. They simplify complex terminology and help you understand what you need, ensuring you meet all legal or lender obligations. An insurance agent already knows what underwriting are looking for and can offer key insights so you’re better prepared if requirements arise. They are familiar with the marketplace and know which carriers have the best coverage for the best premium at any given time.
Care Beyond Coverage
An independent agent takes time to understand your individual situation like unique assets and risk exposures. They can identify gaps in coverage, like liability limits that are too low, loss assessments coverage, uninsured jewelry, art or other collections, no service line or equipment breakdown coverage, plus many other items. An agent can tailor recommendations, so you get a policy specifically suited to you rather than generic coverage.
Time and Effort Savings
Instead of spending time collecting multiple quotes online and comparing policies, an agent can do the work for you. For independent agents, this means shopping across a variety of carriers to find the best blend of price, coverage, and service. Agents know when they need to remarket coverage, especially if they anticipate a substantial change the current insurance company is making.
An example of this would be an insured whose carrier is implementing a percentage wind/hail deductible versus a flat deductible. An agent understands that this could be frustrating and can review the marketplace to determine if there is another insurance company that still offers a flat deductible but will also provide the same level of coverage.
Claims Advocacy and Support
Your agent should be your advocate, especially during the claims process. They can assist with filing forms, communicate with the insurance company on your behalf, and help resolve issues or disputes.
Filing any type of claim can be stressful. A knowledgeable agent will know who to talk to and how to help an adjuster complete their investigation of a claim. Good agents typically have a great working relationship with the insurance company and can identify the right person to escalate a claim if necessary.
It’s important to keep in mind that your agent is not a licensed adjuster and ultimately does not have the final say in how a claim may conclude, but they’re going to be there with you every step of the way.
Claims are not the only thing that your agent may need to advocate for you. If an inspection was completed on your property and an appraiser determines that there could be requirements you need to comply with, an agent can walk you through what that looks like. For example, if an appraiser determines that your home has fire and burglar alarm system does not have enough components for areas that are being monitored, they may require the system to be expanded. An agent can provide documentation for your alarm company that explains what the insurance company is asking for to maintain coverage.
Another example would be an insured traveling internationally when their policy renewed and missing the payment deadline. If that policy was cancelled for non-payment of premium, your insurance agent can work directly with the insurance company to get the policy reinstated and paid for on your behalf.
Relationships Over Transactions
Building a relationship with an independent agent ensures ongoing support. They can review and update your coverage as major life events happen—such as moving, getting married, having a child, retiring, buying a new asset like a car or boat, or starting a home-based business. The agent also gets to know you and your family and can anticipate specific or upcoming needs. An example of this would be reviewing the current excess liability limit and confirming the limit is still appropriate amount for their current assets. This means you don’t have to explain weeks, months, or years’ worth of the information to find the right solution because their personal insurance agent already knows all these details.
Powered by Independence
As an independent and privately held insurance brokerage, Holmes Murphy works with multiple agencies and carriers to design solutions for your private risk or business needs. While it’s preferable to place a personal insurance program with one insurance company, we understand that ensuring the best coverage is in place requires unique solutions. For instance, if you have a hard-to-place risk, like a coastal property in Florida, and your standard insurance market will not take the property due to the exposure like wind and flood, our agents can utilize the excess and surplus market that typically only independent insurance agents can access.
Our clients are part of our community. We’re not just invested in success—we’re invested in you. If you’re ready to work with an independent broker who understands your unique needs, reach out today.
