HOME INSURANCE BROKER: Roles and Who Needs It

You have several options when it comes to purchasing homeowners’ insurance. You can purchase it directly from an insurance company, through an agent who works for a single company, through an independent agent who works with multiple companies, or through a home insurance broker. This article discusses the best auto and home insurance brokers in Florida, as well as how to locate a good broker.

What Is a Home Insurance Broker?

A home insurance broker, also known as a homeowners insurance broker, is a person or company that acts as a go-between for homebuyers or homeowners and insurance companies. Brokers, as opposed to captive insurance agents, work with multiple homeowners’ insurance companies. They are similar to independent insurance agents in this regard, as they arrange for life, home, automobile, and other types of insurance policies.

Different Kinds of Home Insurance Brokers

There are also two kinds of home insurance brokers: retail and wholesale. If you want to work directly with a home insurance broker as a buyer, go with retail. This type of broker communicates with their clients and submits applications on their behalf to various insurance agencies. Essentially, they serve as a go-between and an extra set of eyes throughout the process. Alternatively, when providing coverage to interested buyers, wholesale brokers collaborate with retail brokers and insurance companies to perform a risk assessment.

Independent Insurance Agents vs. Insurance Brokers

The most significant distinction between a broker and an independent agent is who they represent. An independent agent represents an insurance company, whereas a broker represents the customer. The main distinctions between brokers and agents are listed below.

Broker

Acts on behalf of the insurance buyer.
Assists the buyer in comparing insurance options from various insurance companies.
Insurance companies typically pay a commission.
Depending on the broker, customers may be charged a fee.
Insurance policies cannot be sold directly.

Independent agent

It represents several insurance companies.
It collaborates with specific insurers.
Can assist clients in comparing policies from the insurers with whom they work.
Receives insurance commissions
Sell insurance policies for specific companies.

How do Home Insurance Brokers Make Money?

Insurance brokers typically receive a commission from the insurance company after the policy is sold. Some brokers charge clients a broker fee, but most brokers make their money through sales commissions. Commissions vary, but they are typically calculated as a percentage of the premium cost.

Auto and Home Insurance Broker

Homeowners who use the services of a friendly broker to find the type of insurance they need are well served. Your broker can assist you in balancing the need for comprehensive coverage with affordable premiums and deductibles. A broker can also provide you with information on the return on investment for car insurance. Older vehicles, for example, may not require as much coverage as they once did as their value declines.

Bundling Home Insurance Broker and Auto Insurance

Many insurance companies will offer you a discount if you purchase multiple policies from them, such as home insurance and auto insurance. Insurance bundling is also known as a multi-policy discount. This is worthwhile for the insurance company because it increases revenue per customer and fosters customer loyalty.

Home Insurance Broker Florida

Homes in Florida are at a higher risk of damage due to the state’s vulnerability to tropical cyclones and other severe weather events, so make sure your home insurance broker coverage meets your needs. Bankrate researched the following topics to assist you in your search:

The average cost of home insurance from each carrier.
Different types of coverage, discounts, and third-party ratings
Policy features such as mobile apps, online tools, and other technological tools

Based on the data, we believe the following companies are the best home and auto insurance brokers in Florida for 2022. Some of these companies may be unavailable to Florida home insurance brokers in areas prone to severe weather damage.

The editorial team at Bankrate confirmed that these five carriers are currently writing new Florida home insurance broker policies. However, due to the unique risks that Florida homes face, coverage may be limited to specific ZIP codes, homes of a certain age, or homes with specific safety features, such as wind mitigation measures.

When looking for the best home and auto insurance broker, Florida residents may want to consult with a local insurance agent. Some parts of the state have a particularly high risk of weather-related claims, so a local company representative may be required to participate in the quoting and application process.

Best Home and Auto insurance broker in Florida

#1. USAA

USAA, founded in 1922, offers a variety of financial and insurance products to members of the United States military, veterans, and their families. The San Antonio-based provider provides home insurance broker, renters, and small business insurance, as well as auto, life, health, pet, and personal property policies.

Standard USAA homeowners policies include some coverage options that other insurers typically charge extra for, such as home replacement and identity theft protection. USAA also writes policies for policyholders who list their homes for short-term rentals in order to earn extra money and policies that cover military uniforms. USAA is also rated the best home and auto insurance broker in 2022.

#2. State Farm

State Farm, based in Bloomington, Illinois, has expanded since its founding in 1922 and now operates in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Furthermore, State Farm also writes policies for income property, farms, ranches, and manufactured homes, in addition to autos, homeowners, renters, and condo owners. In addition, State Farm also provides life insurance, health insurance, disability insurance, and liability insurance.

#3. Kin Insurance

Kin is a regional carrier that only operates in the high-risk states of Florida and Louisiana. The carrier is newer (it was founded in 2016), but it has a distinct approach to rating policies and claims to handle. Kin not only rates your policy based on the size and features of your home, but it also considers property records, permit data, and aerial imagery. Kin has technology that can use weather reports to pinpoint homes that may have been damaged after a claim. The company could proactively contact policyholders and ask them to assess their property, potentially alerting them to the damage they were unaware of.

#4. Erie Insurance

Erie Insurance, headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania, began as a regional provider of auto insurance in 1925. Its portfolio now includes policies for homeowners, motorcycles, boats, and recreational vehicles, as well as renters, condo owners, and mobile homeowners. In addition, Erie provides life insurance, retirement planning, and financial services. While Erie has expanded beyond Pennsylvania’s borders, homeowners’ policies are only available in 12 states and Washington, D.C. Erie includes home replacement coverage with a standard homeowners policy, which other companies in our ratings charge an additional fee for. One potential disadvantage is that you must purchase a policy through a local agent.

#5. Chubb

Chubb could be an excellent choice for a Florida home insurance broker with high-value properties. Among its policy highlights are extended replacement cost coverage for rebuilding your home and a cash settlement option if you choose not to rebuild after a covered loss. Chubb includes a number of extras in its policies that may be useful to homeowners, such as tree removal and home inspections. Despite its higher-than-average premium, Chubb provides some of the most comprehensive coverage in the state.

#6. Tower Hill

Despite the fact that Tower Hill now provides coverage in 17 states, the company was founded in Gainesville, Florida, and is intimately familiar with the challenges of the Florida home insurance market. With its Prime Plus and Spire programs, the company provides standard policies as well as options for high-value homes. Homeowners may be able to customize their coverage by selecting from a variety of endorsements, including screened enclosure coverage, which may be useful for Florida home insurance brokers with screened porches or patios.

#7. Allstate

Allstate offers Florida home insurance through its subsidiary, Castle Key Insurance Company. The carrier provides a variety of discounts, such as savings for being a first-time home buyer or having a good payment history. With exclusive and independent agents in nearly 200 cities across the Sunshine State, there’s likely an Allstate agent near you who can assist you with your Florida home insurance needs. If Allstate agents are unable to write your policy, they may be able to assist you in working with an insurance broker.

#8. Amica

Amica Life began in 1907 as the Automobile Mutual Insurance Company of America, later expanding into other insurance and financial products and shortening its name to Amica Life. Furthermore, Amica, based in Lincoln, Rhode Island, now sells its products in all states except Hawaii and Alaska. Amica offers insurance for homeowners, renters, and condo owners, as well as auto, boat, and motorcycle policies, as well as business and personal liability insurance.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Working with a Home and Auto Insurance Broker?

People rely on brokers to save time researching the best rates and companies for auto insurance, home insurance, and other products. This is no longer relevant because insurance comparison websites can help people find the best deductibles and policies for them without requiring them to consult a professional.

It compiles all the data, prices, and quotes you’ll need to make an informed decision. It’s simple and only takes a few minutes because it can provide you with dozens of insurance quotes with a few clicks.

Pros

Human interaction and a personalized customer relationship are two advantages of using home insurance brokers. Home insurance brokers are well-connected and have access to specific contacts and deals that may result in lower home insurance rates for you. And, while home insurance is one category, knowing a broker may mean having access to other insurance services and resources if you are considering getting other coverage.

This can include car insurance, life insurance, health insurance, property insurance add-ons like flood insurance, and even renters’ insurance for your child. Furthermore, insurance brokers can be useful if you need to file a claim in the future. They can provide information and customer service to help you navigate the process, which may relieve some of your stress and overwhelm.

Cons

On the other hand, using brokers and relying on their expertise can be costly. Brokers typically do not charge the interested buyer anything, but in some cases, they may charge a fee for their services.

Before entering into any contracts or consulting with a broker, we recommend that you understand how much you will be charged if any. In most cases, interested buyers do not even have to pay brokers for their assistance in researching policies, making it a cost-effective option when purchasing insurance.

How Do I Find a Good Home and Auto Insurance Broker?

There are insurance brokers in almost every city in the United States, so there are plenty of options. Finding a single broker to assist you with major financial decisions can be overwhelming. But the most important thing to remember is to choose someone you can trust and who is qualified to find you a home insurance policy that fits your budget and meets all of your coverage requirements.

When selecting a broker, it may be beneficial to ask any personal connections, such as family and friends, for recommendations on a broker they trust. It is best to rely on first-hand experience from reliable sources, but you can also read reviews to ensure you are working with a reputable, professional service.

It is also strongly advised that you confirm their credentials and licenses are current. Be extremely cautious of ghost brokers. This is when a broker fabricates your information in order to obtain a lower-cost policy, resulting in a bogus policy and you still having to pay a fee for their assistance. Always ensure that you have a valid insurance policy and that you are covered, especially if you are paying a fee for what appears to be professional services.

Conclusion

It can take some time to find the best home and auto insurance broker for you. While brokers can help with customer service and specialized connections or deals, they can also be an extra step in the process of finding the best insurance policy for you.

Brokers work with multiple insurers, as opposed to captive insurance agents, who only work for one. A broker may be able to get you a better deal or save you time if you shop for insurance on your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which broker is best for insurance?

TOP INSURANCE BROKERS

Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc.
Aon PLC.
Willis Towers Watson PLC.
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Hub International Ltd.
Brown & Brown Inc.
Truist Insurance Holdings Inc.
Lockton Cos. LLC.

What are the disadvantages of using an insurance broker?

Insurance brokers may occasionally display a lack of professionalism. They may pose as experts in order to defraud others and make money. They may also work without a valid license or with a forged license. As a result, before using an intermediary service, one must request a license.

What's the point of an insurance broker?

An insurance broker is responsible for locating the best insurance policy for you. They are trained insurance experts who can analyze your needs, negotiate with insurers, and recommend coverage that best fits your budget.

Are insurance brokers cheaper?

Contrary to popular belief, brokers frequently offer lower-cost policies than direct insurers. How? The reason is simple: insurers frequently offer different (lower) rates to brokers than to direct customers. That may appear strange, but there is a reason for it.

HOME INSURANCE BROKER: Roles and Who Needs It

What Is a Home Insurance Broker?

Different Kinds of Home Insurance Brokers