A car insurance broker is an agent who works with you to help with and arrange the right auto insurance policy. Most car insurance agents are independent and never work for an insurance company. They instead use their expertise to shop around and try to get insurance deals from different insurers on your behalf. The advantage of this is that they can present you with several auto insurance quotes from different companies.
There are two types of car insurance brokers: independent car dealers and independent brokers. Independent car insurance broker, also known as agent brokers, usually have a license from their state to do business, but may not be licensed to sell insurance. You can also find a variety of independent broker websites that list agents in the area. Most independent brokers work for several companies so that they can contact them if a deal falls through. Because they do not work for the same insurer as you would if you purchased the insurance online, you may find yourself paying more for your coverage than a dealership would charge if you shopped around.
Car dealerships also offer car insurance services as part of their business. Some dealers will do car insurance sales on their own, and others may choose to partner with a broker-network for this service. Dealers generally offer the same type of service like car insurance agents, but may not carry the same variety of coverage that independent car brokers can. Some dealers have separate departments for sales of insurance and auto insurance, while others may only be licensed to do one type of business. It's important to compare price between these types of companies to determine the best way to save money. Whether you choose to do your own car insurance shopping or work with an independent car broker, you should make sure you're working with a company you can trust.