According to Merriam-Webster, some of the meanings of independent include “not subject to control by others; not affiliated with a larger controlling unit; not requiring or relying on something else; not contingent; not looking to others for one’s opinions or for guidance in conduct; and, showing a desire for freedom.”
We live in a society in which independence is highly sought after and valued in many areas of life. One area should include your insurance agent.
There are mainly two types of insurance agents: captive and independent. The former is contractually bound to one company and can only write policies with that particular insurer. An independent agent represents multiple insurance companies, sometimes in the triple digits, and can, therefore, shop several different insurers at once.
Scott Johnston and his team are independent agents because they have seen through experience how that flexibility benefits the customer:
- Comparing multiple insurance companies provides you with the best options for price and coverage.
- When it’s time to renew, your independent agent can easily and freely switch you to another insurer if the one your currently have is no longer your best option.
- Insurers that require exclusivity from their agents tend to be more expensive because of all the extra cost required for advertising and administrative costs, and these extra costs are inevitably passed down to the customer.
- Since independent agents represent multiple companies, they know the ins and outs of each company and how well those insurance companies can protect your interests, which saves you the time and money researching companies yourself.
- Insurance coverage is not one-size-fits-all, so independent agents will fit your coverage to you, whereas captive agents have to fit you to their company.
The bottom line is competition, and an independent insurance agent has the skills and training to make that competition work in your best interests.
Scott began his journey of service back in 1991 when his grandparents lost everything in a fire. They didn’t have an agent working in their corner but a corporate employee serving the insurer’s profit margins. Though his elderly grandparents had a happy ending, it was a long and arduous road to get there. Many similar stories concluded in tragedy.
The independent insurance professionals at Johnston & Associates have a combined experience of almost 50 years in the business and are knowledgeable of the complex world of automobile, business, commercial, homeowners’, life, and renters’ insurance. That’s half a century of serving their communities and making sure clients get the best insurance coverage at the lowest price with as little margin for regret as possible.
Are you a resident of Nashville or the neighboring Middle Tennessee communities of Brentwood, Franklin, and Spring Hill? Are you weary of insurance agents who want to sell you something they need instead of coverage you need? Contact Johnston & Associates today to declare your own independence.
Scott is an agent for Erie® Insurance.