The commercials you see and hear on the TV and radio about popular (captive) insurance companies would have you believe that you are better off with them, over less known insurance alternatives offered  by an Independent insurance agency. 

The commercials typically show a disaster in the making or the aftermath and infer that the poor victim is better covered with their popular insurance company over a "cut rate insurance" company.  

I used to think that if I wanted the best coverage I would be better off with the largest, most well known and advertised insurance company.  That was before I started in the insurance business. 

I have since learned that there is nothing to these claims besides pure marketing. In fact I often work with many of these smaller and lesser known insurance companies.  Most of these companies I would consider premium companies, no doubt equal or superior in every way to what the larger carriers offer. Many of these smaller companies may be smaller and not known as well, but in many cases have been around longer and provide equal or better coverage, better service and equal or better pricing then all of the well known and advertised companies you see and hear everyday.

Don't wait for an accident to discover what you have been paying for. Take the time before an accident to see what your coverage really provides and get more protection for your money.