Which is Smarter? Buying Insurance Online or from an Agent?

July 9, 2016

Purchasing Online the CONSUMER becomes: The Shopper - the consumer must be able to quote, compare and select insurance that fits their needs. The Advisor - the consumer must be able to recognize the coverages and options available and appropriate for the exposures to risk they face. The Company Liaison - when problems or disputes arise, the consumer must take Continue Reading

Purchasing Online the CONSUMER becomes:

Purchasing from an Independent Agent the AGENT becomes:

The majority of insurance companies allow for online interaction whether that company sells direct to the consumer or through an agent. If you prefer to transact business online for billing and policy administration, your choices in today’s world are not limited to direct writing insurance companies .

Some people may believe that purchasing insurance directly from a company results in a lower price. An agent performs many duties that any company who sells direct will have to pay someone to execute.

The task of shopping for your insurance is one of those duties that can result in a much better rate through an I ndependent Agent , than the efforts necessary to seek quotes yourself through a company directly.

Have insurance questions? We LOVE to help. Please feel welcome to give us a call or stop in and see us at our Hornell or Jasper office.

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Auto Rates and Finger Prints: Both are Unique to You!

By Jeff Ryan • April 7, 2026

Factors You Can’t Easily Control These factors are built into your profile, but still play a major role: Your location: Claim trends, traffic, and weather patterns where you principally drive. Your age and driving experience: Especially for younger drivers. Other drivers in your household: Their age and driving history. The vehicle you own: Unique to the Year, Make, Model, and Sub-model’s damageability and cost of parts/labor. These factors significantly influence price differences, but they don’t tell the whole story. Factors You Can Control This is where habits and wise decisions can make a real difference: Your driving habits: Minimizing tickets and accidents can have a direct impact. Your coverage choices: Liability limits, deductibles, and optional coverages can vary widely. Your insurance consistency: Avoiding lapses in coverage. Your annual mileage: How much and how often you drive. Discount opportunities: Bundling, pay-in-full, NYS defensive driving course. Your Insurance Score (Yes—You Can Influence It) Insurance companies use a credit-based insurance score as part of their rating process. While it’s based on financial behaviors, it is not permanent—and it can be improved over time. Simple habits like: Paying bills on time Reducing outstanding debt Avoiding excessive credit inquiries… can positively impact your score—and in turn, your insurance rates. Your insurance score is under your control and a worthy mid to long-term project in and of itself. For more information on what you can do to positively influence your score, see: Great 8 Tip #8 - What's Credit Got to Do with Insurance? How Can I Improve My Auto Insurance Score Why Comparing Rates Doesn’t Work When someone says, “I only pay…” , the uniqueness of their fingerprint is missing. What are their: Deductibles Driving history Insurance score Household profile Coverage limits: what they may be giving up in terms of protection. Price without context can be misleading and discouraging.