Can we believe what we hear on radio and television?

It seems that every insurance company that advertises on TV can save you 15% - or more – on your car insurance. GEICO claims it is now the third largest company in America, and has a financial rating of AAA. Could that be because it is one of Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway companies? The logical question is: How can an insurance company spend millions on advertising, and still save give you good coverage while saving money for policy holders? The answer is that no insurance company can charge less than the cost of doing business and paying claims. It is really that simple! GIECO is not alone in this game; Allstate, 21st Century, Progressive, to name a few, are all promising low rates.

Advertising works! It sells products, but advertising always presents a most positive view of a product, and that is sometime less than what we get.

So where do people look for insurance on their cars and homes where they can get good coverage, good service, AND reasonable premiums? One choice is to contact an independent agent. They do not work for an insurance company; they work for you. They can help you find the company that fits your needs.

We are an independent insurance agency. We place policies with many companies, and many of them never advertise!

South Whidbey Island is really quite unique for insurance. We don’t have many accidents, and we don’t have the crime problems, and most important, we don’t sue each other very often. These factors affect the cost of insurance companies doing business here. Most companies charge the same rates for Lynnwood and Everett as they do for Langley and Freeland. We work with companies that have rates specific to Whidbey Island.

We work with the large and small companies. Liberty Mutual, a large company who now owns Safeco, has served us well. We also like Austin Mutual. Can a little insurance company (100 employees) that started up in Austin, Minnesota (Pop. 23,000) a long time ago (1898) know anything about insuring folks in Whidbey Island? You bet! Austin Mutual Insurance is not owned by stockholders, or some large financial conglomerate. They are owned by their policyholders, and do a very good job is insuring rural areas in Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. They don’t seem to care much for Illinois, New York or California. There is no toll-free line to their office. They prefer small insurance agencies that understand local conditions and can be of real help with claims. For our agency, they have been great to work with, and their rates are the best we have seen. They insure cars, homes, RVs, boats, small businesses, and even have Personal Umbrellas up to five million dollars! They also insure farms.

We like them, and we think you will too. Give us a call. You may be surprised at their rates.